Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the 2018 American tackle football season. Up next, the Vanderbilt Commodores!
2018 Vanderbilt Preview
We’re headed into the fifth year of the Derek Mason era at Vanderbilt. After a disastrous first season, it’s kind of hard to find ourselves here, but Mason has done a decent job of building the program into what he envisioned when he first took the job in Nashville. He finally has the players he wants in this system, and now it’s time to start winning some games. After reaching a bowl game in 2016, the Dores took a step back and just missed out an a return trip to the postseason, going 5-7 in 2017. After a 3-0 start on the season, the Dores stumbled towards the finish line, going 2-7 to close out the season.
So, how does Vandy make it back into a bowl game? First and foremost, Kyle Shurmur needs to be good Kyle Shurmur. The quarterback finished the season with 2823 yards, 26 TD’s and 10 picks. Not a bad season, but he was inconsistent. Seven of his 10 interceptions came in just two games, which were back breaking losses in November and ultimately kept the Dores from getting that elusive 6th win.
Shurmur will need to establish chemistry with home run threat Kalija Lipscomb early on in the season to give the young, but talented, receiving group time to adjust to the college game. On the ground, it will be a running back by committee backfield. New transfer, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Khari Blasingame will get the bulk of the carries. If they can consistently gain yards, it will do wonders for Shurmur and the receiving corps downfield.
Charles Wright will lead a defense that lost a lot of talent from last year. Wright finished the season with 9.0 sacks last year and will look to replicate that success this year. Look for players like Josh Smith, Jordan Griffin, and Dare Odeyingbo to play a much bigger role up front this year. The secondary will be led by LaDarius Wiley and Joejuan Williams, who may be the Dores’ best player on D. They will have to force turnovers this year to give Vandy a chance to make a bowl game.
2018 Commodores Schedule
Saturday, 9/1: vs. Middle Tennessee State – Middle should provide Vandy a tough test to start the season. Mason seems to have found the formula for keeping Brent Stockstill in check the last two years. Vanderbilt has a lot of talented youth stepping into bigger roles in the secondary this year. Can Mason work his magic again and shut down the high octane offense of MTSU?
Saturday, 9/8: vs. Nevada – This should be a nice tune up game for the tough schedule ahead. Nevada improved as the season went on last year, but Vanderbilt should be able to handle the Wolfpack.
Saturday, 9/15 @ Notre Dame – I’ll be honest. I have no idea why this game was scheduled. Rumors are this started as a neutral site game in Ireland and somehow ended with a one game series in South Bend with no return trip to Nashville. Thank you David Williams. Either way, I don’t expect this to be a pleasant trip to see Touchdown Jesus for Vandy.
Saturday, 9/22 vs. South Carolina – Vandy always seems to play the Gamecocks tough and always find a way to blow it in the end. This year’s version of South Carolina looks to be a sleeper pick for the East if they can get a few breaks. Vandy will have to bring their A+ game to pull this one out.
Saturday, 9/29 vs. Tennessee State – This game should be a nice break after coming off back to back grueling games. Vandy should take this one easily and get the backups some work while doing so.
Saturday, 10/6 @ Georgia – Georgia went to the National Championship last year. They’re better this year. Don’t see this one happening.
Saturday 10/13 vs. Florida – This game could be interesting. Is six weeks into the season enough time for Dan Mullen to pull this Florida team together? Vandy will need to grind this one out defensively and get a few breaks on offense if they want to knock off the Gators.
Saturday 10/20 @ Kentucky – Kentucky is one of those teams that no one is quite sure what to expect from this season. Vandy could very well win this game just as easy as they could completely blow it. I see this as a toss up.
Saturday, 10/27 @ Arkansas – Like Vanderbilt, Arkansas is being picked to finish at the bottom of their respective division in the SEC. This has the potential to be an ugly football game. No offense to Arkansas, but this may be Vandy’s best shot at a conference road win this year. One that they’ll have to win if they have any hope of returning to a bowl game.
Saturday, 11/3 – Bye Week
Saturday, 11/10 @ Missouri – Vandy gets two weeks to prepare for the reigning SoBros SEC MVP, Drew Lock. The game last year got out of hand. The defense will need to play out of their minds if Vandy wants redemption.
Saturday, 11/17 vs. Ole Miss – Even with the bowl ban, expect Ole Miss to be a tough opponent this year. This is another team that trounced Vandy last year when they went on their mid-season skid. Same story as the Missouri game. A lot of this game will depend on how well the Commodore defense can keep the Ole Miss offense in check.
Saturday, 11/24 vs. Tennessee – Vandy will face their in-state rival for the final game of the season. The Dores have won two straight and four of the last six against the Vols. Shurmur seems to live to play this game, as he has gone off the last two seasons against UT. This will be a big game for both programs, with bowl eligibility possibly on the line. Can Mason extend it to three straight or will new Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt cap his first season off with a win?
Prediction
Vanderbilt has a tough schedule in front of them. Looking over the schedule, I only see two games that I would classify as “guaranteed wins.” Those being Nevada and TSU. So can you find four more wins on the schedule?
I’d only count Georgia and Notre Dame as definite losses. With what’s left, I think there’s the possibility to get into a bowl, but a lot will need to go the Dores’ way. Shurmur will need to take the next step in his development, the running game will need to get going, and the young defense will need to gel quickly.
Ultimately, I see the Commodores falling just short and finishing the season at 5-7, but with a few bounces and breaks, they could sneak into a bowl game by the time it’s all said and done.
Other 2018 SEC Previews
Alabama Crimson Tide
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Missouri Tigers
Ole Miss Rebels
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas A&M Aggies
Vanderbilt Commodores
Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B
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