Vanderbilt Commodores
The school that is known as one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the country became a Cinderella story for college football. After taking down a ranked South Carolina squad in week 2 and going to Oxford and taking down Mississippi, the ‘Dores were ranked for the first time in more than a decade and hosted SEC powerhouse Auburn. Vanderbilt won another close one. The Commodores reached as high as #13 nationally. The rest of the season however Vanderbilt nice carriage turned into a pumpkin as they lost 6 of their last 7. Thanks to the terrific 5-0 start, Vandy still made a bowl, their first since 1982 and won! This year hopes are high for Vanderbilt as they hope to build on last year’s success.
The school that is known as one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the country became a Cinderella story for college football. After taking down a ranked South Carolina squad in week 2 and going to Oxford and taking down Mississippi, the ‘Dores were ranked for the first time in more than a decade and hosted SEC powerhouse Auburn. Vanderbilt won another close one. The Commodores reached as high as #13 nationally. The rest of the season however Vanderbilt nice carriage turned into a pumpkin as they lost 6 of their last 7. Thanks to the terrific 5-0 start, Vandy still made a bowl, their first since 1982 and won! This year hopes are high for Vanderbilt as they hope to build on last year’s success.
OFFENSE
Vanderbilt has one of the most experienced teams coming back. They have 8 players on offense that started last season. An important item to keep your eyes on is the situation at quarterback. Last year MacKenzie Adams and Chris Nickson shared snaps until the end of the season. Then with both going down to injuries late in the season redshirt freshman Larry Smith stepped in and led the Commodores to a bowl victory going 10 for 17 for 121 yards. Entering camp Smith is the starter but behind him is MacKenzie Adams who also has experience and can step in if Smith is not the answer. Vanderbilt has NOT had a 1,000 yards rusher since 1995, but that record might fall this year as they have all 5 starters back on the line and an experienced senior running back in Jared Hawkins. Hawkins led the team in rushing last year with 593 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Vanderbilt has one of the most experienced teams coming back. They have 8 players on offense that started last season. An important item to keep your eyes on is the situation at quarterback. Last year MacKenzie Adams and Chris Nickson shared snaps until the end of the season. Then with both going down to injuries late in the season redshirt freshman Larry Smith stepped in and led the Commodores to a bowl victory going 10 for 17 for 121 yards. Entering camp Smith is the starter but behind him is MacKenzie Adams who also has experience and can step in if Smith is not the answer. Vanderbilt has NOT had a 1,000 yards rusher since 1995, but that record might fall this year as they have all 5 starters back on the line and an experienced senior running back in Jared Hawkins. Hawkins led the team in rushing last year with 593 yards and 4 touchdowns.
DEFENSE
Last year’s team relied heavily on playing stout defense. The defense held opponents to under 20 points a game and got after the quarterback well. This year hopes to be more of the same for Bobby Johnson’s squad. The defense returns 9 starters from last year’s unit and should have a little more depth to deal with the bumps of bruises that occur playing in the SEC.
Last year’s team relied heavily on playing stout defense. The defense held opponents to under 20 points a game and got after the quarterback well. This year hopes to be more of the same for Bobby Johnson’s squad. The defense returns 9 starters from last year’s unit and should have a little more depth to deal with the bumps of bruises that occur playing in the SEC.
SEASON PROJECTION
With 17 of 22 starters coming back a bowl winning season it is easy to think that the Dores will take more steps forward in competing in the SEC. But the schedule is not in their favor. Vanderbilt starts the season on September 5 and plays nonstop without a bye week through the middle of November. Without a bye in the middle of the season and already lacking the depth of most SEC schools the Commodores will struggle. Vanderbilt is getting better, but this year the record will not show it…
With 17 of 22 starters coming back a bowl winning season it is easy to think that the Dores will take more steps forward in competing in the SEC. But the schedule is not in their favor. Vanderbilt starts the season on September 5 and plays nonstop without a bye week through the middle of November. Without a bye in the middle of the season and already lacking the depth of most SEC schools the Commodores will struggle. Vanderbilt is getting better, but this year the record will not show it…
4-8
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