Vanderbilt is clearly headed in the right direction. After failing to go to a bowl game for 26 straight seasons, the Commodores have been invited to postseason play twice in the last four years.. Last season, the Commodores would go on to lose to Cincinnati 24-31 in the Liberty Bowl to finish up 6-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC. in just his second season on the job, head coach James Franklin will look to do what no other coach has done before at Vanderbilt. Take the Commodores to consective bowl games. With 15 starters coming back, Franklin is optimistic, but nothing comes easy in the SEC. One thing that could have Vanderbilt struggling to match last year's success is the fact that teams won't overllok them like they did a season ago..
Offense
The Commodores believe they have found their answer at quarterback in Jordan Rodgers.. Rodgers didn't make his first start until the Commodores seventh game, but still managed to lead the team with 1,524 yards through the air and was second on the team with 420 yards on the ground.. If Rodgers is able to live up to the hype, the Commodores are going to continue to surprise teams in 2012..
Vanderbilt's ground game last year was very successful and the emergence of Zac Stacy was the main reason for the team's success. Stacy had a single-season school record carrying the ball 201 times for 1,193 yards and 14 touchdowns. Stacy had his chance after Warren Norman was forced to redshirt following a devastating knee injury. Warren will come back in 2012 and his ability to stay on the field and produce will be a key factor for the team's continued success moving forward.
Big things are expected out of junior wide out Jordan Matthews and sophomore Chris Boyd coming into 2012. Matthews became the first Vanderbilt wide out in school history with three straight 100 yard performances (151, 170, 131). Meanwhile Boyd was second on the team with 31 catches for 473 yards and a team-high 8 touchdowns.
The fact that Vanderbilt was still able to rush for 164 yards/game last year, despite losing left guard Jabo Burrow after only a game and starting center Logan Stewart after five, is a testament to the team's depth on the line. Both Burrow and Stewart have graduated along with guards Kyle Fischer and Mylon Brown. Despite that, Vanderbilt is still in good shape because of the good amount of experience coming back (four with starting experience) and should at the very least match last year's numbers.
Defense
There is also a lot to be excited about on the defensive side of the ball. After giving up just over 31 ppg in 2010, the Commodores held their opponents to just 21.6 ppg in 2011.. Offenses managed just 323 yards of total offense, which was a major improvement from 2010 (419 ypg).. They get back seven starters on this side of the ball, but lose a number of key players, including their top three tacklers from last season.
On the defensive line, the Commodores must find a way to replace their best pass-rusher in defensive end Tim Fugger. They do bring back three starters in talented defensive tackle Rob Lohr, defensive tackle Colt Nichter and defensive end Walker May. They should continue their strong play against the run as they as have both tackles returning as well.
While the Commodores return starting middle linebacker Chase Garnham and starting weak-side linebacker Archibald Barnes, it might still be difficult to replace strong-side linebacker Chris Marve, who was considered by many to be the heart and soul of the entire defense.
The secondary will also miss a couple of key players in 2nd Team All-American corner Casey Hayward and starting strong safety Sean Richardson. A drop off in production is to be expected from this unit in 2012, especially since a huge reason for their success was due to Hayward and the pressure applied by Fugger and Lohr last year.
Head over to Football Free Picks for all your Vanderbilt betting needs. You will find the best odds available for every Commodore game, plus get expert advice on who to take against the spread.
SEC Prediction - 6th SEC East
While their offense will most likely keep them afloat for most games, their defense has taken such a hit that it will be hard for them to win. Vanderbilt will more than likely be a middle of the pack in the SEC East standings, but they still have a great shot of making it back to a bowl game. Winnable road games against Kentucky and Mississippi will likely dictate the outcome of their bid for a back-to-back bowl berth in 2012.
Offense
The Commodores believe they have found their answer at quarterback in Jordan Rodgers.. Rodgers didn't make his first start until the Commodores seventh game, but still managed to lead the team with 1,524 yards through the air and was second on the team with 420 yards on the ground.. If Rodgers is able to live up to the hype, the Commodores are going to continue to surprise teams in 2012..
Vanderbilt's ground game last year was very successful and the emergence of Zac Stacy was the main reason for the team's success. Stacy had a single-season school record carrying the ball 201 times for 1,193 yards and 14 touchdowns. Stacy had his chance after Warren Norman was forced to redshirt following a devastating knee injury. Warren will come back in 2012 and his ability to stay on the field and produce will be a key factor for the team's continued success moving forward.
Big things are expected out of junior wide out Jordan Matthews and sophomore Chris Boyd coming into 2012. Matthews became the first Vanderbilt wide out in school history with three straight 100 yard performances (151, 170, 131). Meanwhile Boyd was second on the team with 31 catches for 473 yards and a team-high 8 touchdowns.
The fact that Vanderbilt was still able to rush for 164 yards/game last year, despite losing left guard Jabo Burrow after only a game and starting center Logan Stewart after five, is a testament to the team's depth on the line. Both Burrow and Stewart have graduated along with guards Kyle Fischer and Mylon Brown. Despite that, Vanderbilt is still in good shape because of the good amount of experience coming back (four with starting experience) and should at the very least match last year's numbers.
Defense
There is also a lot to be excited about on the defensive side of the ball. After giving up just over 31 ppg in 2010, the Commodores held their opponents to just 21.6 ppg in 2011.. Offenses managed just 323 yards of total offense, which was a major improvement from 2010 (419 ypg).. They get back seven starters on this side of the ball, but lose a number of key players, including their top three tacklers from last season.
On the defensive line, the Commodores must find a way to replace their best pass-rusher in defensive end Tim Fugger. They do bring back three starters in talented defensive tackle Rob Lohr, defensive tackle Colt Nichter and defensive end Walker May. They should continue their strong play against the run as they as have both tackles returning as well.
While the Commodores return starting middle linebacker Chase Garnham and starting weak-side linebacker Archibald Barnes, it might still be difficult to replace strong-side linebacker Chris Marve, who was considered by many to be the heart and soul of the entire defense.
The secondary will also miss a couple of key players in 2nd Team All-American corner Casey Hayward and starting strong safety Sean Richardson. A drop off in production is to be expected from this unit in 2012, especially since a huge reason for their success was due to Hayward and the pressure applied by Fugger and Lohr last year.
Head over to Football Free Picks for all your Vanderbilt betting needs. You will find the best odds available for every Commodore game, plus get expert advice on who to take against the spread.
SEC Prediction - 6th SEC East
While their offense will most likely keep them afloat for most games, their defense has taken such a hit that it will be hard for them to win. Vanderbilt will more than likely be a middle of the pack in the SEC East standings, but they still have a great shot of making it back to a bowl game. Winnable road games against Kentucky and Mississippi will likely dictate the outcome of their bid for a back-to-back bowl berth in 2012.
About the Author:
Jack Jones will be posting his college football plays at Betfirms all season long. Be sure to check out our site today for a mroe detailed preview of Vanderbilt football.
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