Will Derek Mason Take the Vanderbilt Commodores to a Bowl Game?
To go bowling Vanderbilt ideally would run the table and win their four remaining games, to finish the season 8-4. So, will Derek Mason take the Vanderbilt Commodores to a bowl game? The first two of their remaining games are on the road at Auburn and Missouri. The Dores will return home for Ole Miss and Tennessee. Can Vanderbilt run the table? Will their Black Death defense lead by Zach Cunningham and Oren Burks be strong enough to hold off their opponents? Will the offense get into the much-needed rhythm? So many questions.
Auburn
Vanderbilt has beaten Auburn the last two times they have played…In Nashville (2008 and 2012). The last time that Vandy beat Auburn outside of Nashville was New Years Eve 1955 in the Gator Bowl. Can they beat Auburn? YES! Any given Saturday, any team can be beat. Gus Malzhan stated several times in his weekly press conference, “Vanderbilt has our full attention.” If/when the Commodores WIN in Auburn, it will give the Dores their third straight win, the team’s longest winning streak since 2013. It would also be Vandy’s third straight win over Auburn, as well as the Commodore’s, first win over a ranked team since 2013. Cunningham is going to need another career game. The entire defense will need to be suffocating against Auburn’s offense and running back Kamryn Pettway. The offensive line will need to open the holes for the dynamic duo of Ralph Webb and Khari Blasingame. Important to note that Pettway and Webb are ranked one and two in the SEC. Mason’s defense will step up and play the Tigers tough and physical as they have in all league play this season.
Missouri
Vandy beat the Tigers last year at home. They should be able to hold them off this year in Columbia. First year head coach Barry Odom is experiencing some growing pains as the Tigers struggle to find their identity. Derek Mason is well aware of the trials and tribulations of being a first time head coach. He has reached out to Odom to offer advice. With that being said, the Dores are going to go into Columbia with a fire in their belly as they are on a mission to go bowling in the post season. Missouri is 2-6 as they travel to take on the Gamecocks this weekend. The Dores will need to win this game to keep their bowl dreams alive.
Ole Miss
“We didn’t lose the game we just ran out of time,” Vince Lombardi once said. Mason could have said the same about the Commodores last year in Oxford. Vandy stayed within striking distance the entire game thanks to the Black Death defense. They did not give up any big plays. Johnny McCrary was under center with Andy Ludwig’s first year as offensive coordinator. Neither of which held up against the Rebels smothering defense. If Kyle Shurmur gets into a rhythm with his arsenal of weapons, Ole Miss will have their hands full on both sides of the ball. If Vandy pulls out a win, it would be a fantastic feather to add to Mason’s cap this season.
Tennessee
The regular season will end as usual with Vanderbilt taking on Tennessee. Last year in Knoxville was nothing to write home about. Yet we are in a completely new season. Tennessee is caught in a dumpster fire. This IS the Volunteers year, or not. They have hit the skids as of late. Not to mention their inner team turmoil that lead to their offensive star Jalen Hurd leaving the team this past week. Head coach Butch Jones has lost control of his locker room. While Vandy is moving in the right direction. They are getting stronger with each game. They are gelling at the right time and playing their SEC foes with a reckless abandon. This game in Nashville will be a fun one to watch.
No Easy Wins
There are no easy wins in college football. The next four weeks will challenge Vandy. They are taking all opponents very seriously. Mason will have his team ready for each match up. Shurmur and the offense are getting more comfortable as the season progresses. They are finding their rhythm on a consistent basis. As long at the Black Death defense continues to kill drives and put points on the board with each forced fumble and turnover the Commodore Nation will have plenty to cheer about.
Vanderbilt is coming off a bye week and is 4-4 going into Auburn this weekend. The Vandy faithful have their fingers crossed as their team fights to run the table this rest of the season.
