Vanderbilt football vs Austin Peay score prediction for season opener

Vanderbilt football will kick off Clark Lea's sixth season at FirstBank Stadium against Austin Peay.

The Commodores will face the Governors on Sept. 5 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) in a home matchup.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding Vanderbilt, as Blaze Berlowitz will take the first snaps at quarterback but 5-star freshman Jared Curtis will also play.

Austin Peay (1-0) has already played its first game, defeating Gardner-Webb, 35-17.

Here is our prediction for the matchup:

Vanderbilt vs Austin Peay prediction

Vanderbilt is the clearly more talented team here. This is not as difficult of a game as 2024's opener against Virginia Tech, but it's easier than other FCS opponents the Commodores have played in recent years, like Alcorn State and Charleston Southern. This is a game that could be close through the first half, but Vanderbilt should pull away for a comfortable win.

Vanderbilt vs Austin Peay scouting report

Why Vanderbilt has an advantage: There is simply more talent everywhere. The gap between SEC and FCS teams across the board has never been larger now that the transfer portal era is in full swing. There hasn't been a single FCS over P4 upset since 2023, when a Stanford team that finished 3-9 lost to Sacramento State, a school that is now in FBS.

Why Austin Peay has an advantage: Chris Parson was a big-name recruit coming out of Ravenwood High School and originally attended Mississippi State, though he never got much playing time there. At Austin Peay, though, Parson turned into a Walter Payton Award finalist, given to the top offensive player in FCS football.

In Austin Peay's opener against Gardner-Webb, he went 14-for-21 passing for 308 yards and a touchdown while rushing once for 12 yards. This is particularly notable given the questions surrounding Vanderbilt's quarterback situation and the fact that both Blaze Berlowitz and Jared Curtis are set to play.

Vanderbilt vs Austin Peay injury updates

Starting tight end Cole Spence is questionable to play for Vanderbilt, coach Clark Lea said Sept. 3.

Vanderbilt vs Austin Peay score prediction

Vanderbilt 45, Austin Peay 17

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football vs Austin Peay score prediction for season opener