Vanderbilt heads into the season with confidence for the first time since James Franklin left Nashville. Head coach Derek Mason impressed during media days and is starting to find his stride leading this program.
The Commodores have to replace a couple of key offensive pieces, but bring back the bulk of a defense that improved mightily in 2015. If player development occurs, there is no reason Vanderbilt should not compete for a bowl game.
Here are five bold predictions about Vanderbilt’s 2016 season:
Vanderbilt drops a non-conference game
This projection would seem to point to playing Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Sept. 17, but there are other potential pitfalls on the schedule. The biggest comes the week after, when the Commodores have the travel to Bowling Green, Ky., to face off against Western Kentucky.
Playing Georgia Tech and Western Kentucky in consecutive weeks will stretch Vanderbilt’s defense in vastly different ways. Tech runs an option-based offense, so strong linebacker play and staying honest will be key. Contrarily, WKU runs one of the most wide-open air raids in college football – former quarterback Brandon Doughty threw for 5,000 yards last season. Both games could be potential slip-up points for a developing Vanderbilt team.
The Commodores get it back against Florida
Vanderbilt was just minutes away from shocking the world and beating No. 10 Florida in The Swamp last season. Only a field goal from Austin Hardin with 2:22 remaining pushed the Gators to a 9-7 win.
Dreadful offensive play on Florida’s end – especially from QB Treon Harris – allowed Vanderbilt to stay in the game. With former walk-on Luke Del Rio at the helm, the offense will undoubtedly be more productive. However, Vanderbilt’s quarterback should also be more productive than the 3-for-14 for 30 yards Johnny McCrary squeaked out last season.
Vanderbilt pulls off the first major upset of the Derek Mason area and upends Florida in front of a crazed home crowd.
Zach Cunningham is an All-American
Cunningham was one of the best-kept secrets in college football last season. Despite starting just nine games, Cunningham accumulated 103 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss on the way to being named All-SEC First Team as a redshirt sophomore. He played well enough that one publication – Phil Steele – gave him a Third Team All-American nod.
With a full season, there’s no telling how productive he could be. Had he started all 12 games, Cunningham would be on track for 125 tackles in 12 games. That would rank only behind Texas A&M safety Armani Watts – who played in a bowl game too. Expect Cunningham to take another leap with another year of familiarity.
Ralph Webb ranks second among SEC East rushers
Webb was one of the quiet surprises of the SEC season last year. In 12 starts, Webb rushed for 1,152 yards and five touchdowns for the Commodores, setting himself apart as the team’s best offensive player.
With a combined 489 rush attempts the last two seasons, Webb proved his durability and that he can be an all-purpose back. The key will be improving his efficiency – Webb averaged just 4.2 yards per rush. Getting better quarterback play should even things out and create better rushing lanes for Webb to operate.
The Commodores sneak into a bowl game
Vanderbilt fans just need to see improvement from last season’s 4-8 finish in Nashville. Flipping the script and taking Vanderbilt to a bowl game would be a coup for head coach Derek Mason and his coaching staff.
Many question Mason after his team limped out to a 3-9 record in his first season. More than a few analysts claimed he was the wrong hire and that he could not succeed with the program. But even though the Commodores accumulated just four wins, there was a clear difference in play during Mason’s second year. Making a bowl game would prove he has what it takes to succeed in the long term.
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