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Quarterback Comparison: LSU vs. Vanderbilt

NCAA Football: UNLV at Northwestern David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The LSU Tigers (3-0) look to record their fourth consecutive win of the season as they travel to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (0-2) in Vanderbilt Stadium in their first meeting since 2010.

The Commodores have put two quarterbacks in over the course of their past two games, and it’s likely we’ll see more of the same from the team on Saturday.

That type of rotation isn’t necessary for LSU, who has one of the nation’s best quarterbacks in Joe Burrow.

Here’s a look at how the three stack up.

Joe Burrow

NCAA Football: Northwestern State at Louisiana State Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

First Impression: Burrow is on pace to surpass Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, and some experts are already predicting he overtake Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the No. 1 spot by the end of the season.

He’s been close to perfect this year, completing 75-of-90 passes for 1,122 yards, with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Last showing: vs. Northwestern St., W 65-14

Burrow was 21-of-24 passes for 373 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

QBR: 92.0

Bottom line for Saturday: Burrow has done an excellent job at the helm this season, and should have no issue picking apart the Vanderbilt defense that’s allowed 72 points already in just two games. Vanderbilt has no sacks this season, allowed Purdue to pass for 509 yards in their last game, and features a young secondary. LSU has the No. 2 pass offense in the country, so that doesn’t bode well for them. Expect Burrow to continue putting up big numbers in his first SEC game of the year.

Riley Neal

NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Purdue Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

First Impression: Burrow isn’t the only graduate transfer quarterback taking the field in this matchup. Neal transferred from Ball State, where he started for three years and passed for 7,393 yards with 46 touchdowns. He impressed ahead of the season, looks comfortable in the offense and obviously has the upper hand in experience over Deuce Wallace. Both Neal and Wallace have the ability to pose a running threat, though head coach Derek Mason was adamant before the season that he didn’t want to base his offense around the quarterback keeping the ball.

This pro-style passer has completed 38-of-60 passes for 463 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Last showing: vs. Purdue, L 42-24

Neal was 24-of-35 passes for 378 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

QBR: 45.0

Bottom line for Saturday: Neal should be expected to see the vast majority of the action in what’s likely to be his most difficult game of the season. The fact he’s behind an offensive line that had to replace three starters won’t do him any favors, either. The LSU defense hasn’t recorded a single interception this season, but does total 15 pass breakups and is only allowing an average of 18.3 points per game. The Tigers have also allowed for just 4.6 yards per play. The Commodores have struggled badly this season, and that’s going to continue into this weekend.

Deuce Wallace

NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Purdue Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

First Impression: Wallace had just 22 career passing attempts entering 2019, as he was forced to miss the 2018 season due to a violation of university policy. He’s played second-fiddle to Neal over the first two games.

Wallace, also a pro-style quarterback, is 9-of-19 passes for 66 yards in limited action this year.

Last showing: vs. Purdue, L 42-24

Wallace was 7-of-13 passes for 42 yards.

QBR: 49.2

Bottom line for Saturday: Wallace won’t get as much time as time as Neal, but we’ll still see him take some snaps. He’s still largely an unknown given his lack of experience, with his only snaps being in garbage time.