R-E-S-P-E-C-T Or Excuses Vanderbilt Takes On Alabama
Nashville is a wonderful city smack dab in the middle of the SEC. It is home to Vanderbilt University, a well-known and respected academic institution. They also happen to have a football team, which gets little to no respect from anyone in college football and even less from anyone in the SEC. For years, the Commodores have been the doormat of the SEC. No more my friends, NO MORE.
Alabama Rolls Into Town
On Saturday at 3:30pm, Vanderbilt will kick off against the number one team in the country, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Teams fear Bama and the sheer dominance they have had for the last decade. But, they are beatable, just ask Dabo Swinney about that National Championship game. Better yet Ask Nick Saban about that game, as he is still chapped about the loss.
Defense Defense Defense
The Vanderbilt defense is currently ranked number ONE nationally in total defense, while Alabama is ranked 36th. Vandy is also ranked number one in the SEC in total defense, Bama at number seven. Also, it is worth noting that Derek Mason is the man behind the Stanford defense that defeated the number one ranked Oregon in 2012. The defense that held Oregon to 14 points, when they had been averaging 55 points a game. Mason is the mind behind the defense that ruined their perfect season. He loves a chess match, this will be a great game to watch.
Stirring The Pot
Vanderbilt is not talking trash in any way shape or form yet, but everyone seems to be trying to stir the pot between The Dores and The Tide. It started Saturday night after Vandy’s win over Kansas State when senior defensive lineman Nifae Lealao said “Alabama is next.”. He was stating facts; Alabama is next on their schedule. And as social media has blown this up to ridiculous levels, he even felt the need to tweet to clarify his statement.
— Nifae P. Lealao Jr. (@NEE_FEE_ZEE) September 17, 2017
They continued to stir the pot, pulling out Derek Mason’s quote at SEC Media Days, “I respect Nick Saban. I like his demeanor on the field. But I don’t fear anybody. And our team doesn’t. When we line up to play Alabama, we’re going to play Alabama.” I am not sure what part of that was “trash talk”, but it sounded like a coach who has studied and respects his opponent. Mason reiterated his summer statements in his weekly press conference, and Mason and his team will get it done between the white lines. There has been no real bulletin board material, everyone has been very respectful. They have confidence in their ability to stand their ground with anyone and everyone they step on the field against. Why aren’t they allowed to be confident in their team?
RESPECT
It will be interesting to see the copious amounts of social media this weekend as it pertains to this game. If Bama falters, there will be excuses made no matter how well Vandy performs. They say the team takes on the personality of the head coach. If anyone has paid any attention to Derek Mason in the last four years, they know this man has some major swagger. He has a quiet confident air about him. Mason has a fire that he infuses into his speeches that make the average Joe want to run through walls for him. The Commodores do not need your respect, they have Mason’s confidence and swagger. Get your popcorn ready then sit back relax and enjoy the show. CBS 3:30pm EDT.
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