LSU and Vanderbilt will play in the SEC on Saturday afternoon. This is one of the biggest games of the weekend in college football, with both teams ranked in the top 20 in the country going into this game. Before it starts, continue reading to get my LSU vs Vanderbilt prediction for a game that will have a huge impact on the SEC title chase.
Our LSU vs Vanderbilt Pick
- Pick: Vanderbilt −2.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: LSU Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 12:00 pm ET
- Venue: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN
- Broadcast: ABC
LSU vs Vanderbilt Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt −2.5 | LSU +115 / Vanderbilt −135 | Over/Under 48.5 |
Key Storylines
- Vanderbilt is a rare favorite against LSU this week. According to CBS Sports Research, this is the first time the Commodores have been favored against LSU since 1948 and first time they have been favored against a ranked opponent since at least 1978.
- Both teams are 5-1 on the season and have already taken a loss in SEC play. There are three teams that have yet to lose a game in SEC play so far and a loss here would drop the team that takes it two games back of first place in the loss column. That makes this an incredibly high-stakes game between these two schools.
- An idle week could help Vanderbilt here. Coming off a week to heal and prepare after their loss to Alabama, Vanderbilt could be sharper early in this game. LSU will have to overcome that and the fact that they are playing on the road if they want to win this contest.
Quarterback Play
LSU signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 1,413 yards through six games, with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He does have a road win at Clemson under his belt this season and will try to pass another important road test here.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has been one of the most exciting players in college football. He has thrown for 1,409 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also leads the Commodores in rushing with 352 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Pavia can make plays with both his arm and legs, which will make things tough on LSU’s defense.
Betting Trends
- LSU is 3-3 against the spread so far this season.
- Vanderbilt is 4-2 against the spread going into this week.
- Five of LSU’s first six games have gone under their totals.
- Vandy is 3-3 on over/unders leading up to Saturday’s game.
LSU vs Vanderbilt Model Projection
Score Projection: Vanderbilt 31 – LSU 27
Win Probability: Vanderbilt 62%, LSU 38%
Final Thoughts
Any Saturday where we get to watch Diego Pavia play football is a good Saturday. I think we will see the best of Pavia this week against an LSU team that is just 1-1 on the road for the season. My recommendation is to lay the points with the Commodores, who should avoid a second straight loss and keep themselves within striking distance in the race for the SEC title game.
