I certainly knew then the Commodores were on the cusp of greatness. As I move forward, I will take a page from head coach Derek Mason<\/strong> and his team. I will be relentless<\/em>\u00a0with my future predictions. I have never believed in Mason, the program he is building, his staff or his team more than I do right now.<\/p>\n Limitless. Tough. Intelligent. Relentless. These are the buzzwords that carried\u00a0Vanderbilt football through the 2016 season. Mason spent his third, and most successful season thus far, leading the charge. He completed his second season as defensive coordinator. It was his first year fielding a team that was almost completely<\/em> comprised of his signees. He put a team on the field that he handpicked with a goal in mind.<\/p>\n Season three did not start the way Mason wanted. It was a slow start for the Commodores. Second year offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig<\/strong> and starting quarterback Kyle Shurmur<\/a><\/strong> struggled to find a consistent rhythm. When they finally found that spark, they were an unstoppable fire. The “Black Death” defense that kept Vandy in the game in 2015, had to find a new rhythm as well. They did just that with game changing leader\u00a0Zach Cunningham<\/a><\/strong>. He out-tackled his SEC counterparts. He gained national recognition as a finalist for the Butkus Award<\/a>, as\u00a0well as a Chuck\u00a0Bednarik<\/a> Nominee. Special teams had a new leader in Jeff Genyk<\/strong>. There were improvements. Most of the attention was on true freshman Sam Loy’s leg, as it gave Vandy a unique rugby style punt that kept the opposition on its toes.<\/p>\n Athletic Director David Williams<\/strong><\/a> has come out since the season ended to say Mason was NEVER on the hot seat. If anyone paid attention to social media after the debacle that was Georgia Tech, I would beg to differ. Mason and Vanderbilt\u00a0danced<\/em><\/a> their way into bowl eligibility. Vandy beat the pants off Ole Miss and in-state rival Tennessee to do so. They earned a bid to the Dec. 26th Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA. More on that game later.<\/p>\n DISCLAIMER<\/strong>: I prefer telling the unique stories of these Vanderbilt men. I think recaps are regurgitated stats and overused sports cliches. So, I will keep the following blurbs short, sweet and highlights only.<\/p>\n Another Thursday night opener. Another loss. First game of the season, and Vandy struggled to find a rhythm offensively and defensively. Vanderbilt led South Carolina 10-3 at the half.\u00a0Ultimately, South Carolina’s senior kicker Elliott Fry<\/strong> made a 55-yard career long field goal with 35 seconds left to beat Vandy, causing the Commodores to lose\u00a0by the skin of their teeth.<\/p>\n Final Score: South Carolina 13, Vanderbilt 10<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 37, South Carolina 21<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MTSU\u00a0quarterback Brent Stockstill<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was a pre-game concern, and he had\u00a0a solid game. Although Stockstill, nor the hour and 44 minute weather delay, could squelch the Commodores’ fire.\u00a0Ralph Webb<\/a><\/strong> ran and hurdled his way to a career-high 211 yards. The ‘Dores started to turn the corner in this game, as they began to gel and the team responded when needed and won the game.<\/p>\n Final Score: Vanderbilt 47, MTSU 24<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 41, MTSU 30<\/p>\n Georgia Tech scored on the first series of the game, and Vandy answered with seven points of their own. That would be the only score for Vandy all day. Let’s just move along… Nothing to see here. After their first series no offense, no defense and no special teams. \u00a0All the while the “lets kick em while they are down” media kept harping on the fact that Mason and his staff had been preparing for this game for months. \u00a0*NEWSFLASH* ALL<\/span> college football teams scout future opponents MONTHS<\/span> in advance.<\/p>\n Final Score: Georgia Tech 38, Vanderbilt 7<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 27, Georgia Tech 17<\/p>\n It was a sweltering day in Bowling Green as\u00a0<\/strong>Vanderbilt took the field to avenge their two-point loss from a year ago.\u00a0Nathan Marcus\u00a0<\/strong>scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The ‘Dores fought for every point, and the defense stepped up when needed most. It was an ugly game for both teams; Vandy escaped Bowling Green with an exciting win in overtime.<\/p>\n Final Score: Vanderbilt 31, WKU 30<\/p>\n My preseason prediction: Vanderbilt 24, WKU 14<\/p>\n Another \u201cshould-have-won\u201d game from last season; another loss this season. The bright spot was again Ralph Webb as he ran for 110 yards. Vanderbilt beat the Gators on the ground and in time of possession, yet it wasn’t enough to over come the costly turnovers.<\/p>\n Final Score: Florida 13, Vanderbilt 6<\/p>\n My preseason prediction: Vanderbilt 17, Florida 10<\/p>\n On the road again, and another game of playing catch up. Vanderbilt’s only touchdown came early in the third on Taurean Ferguson<\/a><\/strong>‘s 22-yard fumble return. The ‘Dores tried to force overtime but couldn’t catch a break in the final minutes of the game.<\/p>\n Final Score: Kentucky 20, Vanderbilt 13<\/p>\n My preseason prediction: \u00a0Vanderbilt 21, Kentucky 17<\/p>\n The road game of the season. Vanderbilt turned the corner. My preseason gut told me to pick the upset \u00a0I played it safe with this “the \u2018Dores will likely\u00a0put up a good fight. I think ultimately the Bulldogs will win with a talented roster and home field advantage. They will earn every point. Vandy will not go down easily.” \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I was correct, Vandy did not<\/em> go down easy. In fact the “Black Death” defense held Georgia to just 75 rushing yards. Half way through the fourth\u00a0quarter, Vandy took the lead. With 61 seconds left in the game, Georgia went\u00a0for it on fourth and one, and Zach Cunningham comes out of nowhere to make the game saving tackle.<\/p>\n Final Score: Vanderbilt 17, Georgia 16<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 17, Georgia 20<\/p>\n My pre-season words “Shurmur should be solid and comfortable with the offense by now.”\u00a0<\/em>Vandy and Shurmur\u00a0had a solid 501 yards of total offense. The ground game had 358 yards. Webb and Khari Blasingame<\/a> both cracked 100-yards, and Vanderbilt played a solid well-rounded game.<\/p>\n Final Score: \u00a0Vanderbilt 35, Tennessee State 17<\/p>\n My preseason prediction: Vanderbilt 42, Tennessee State 3<\/p>\n Coming off an FCS game and a bye week, a confident and rested Vanderbilt team to traveled to Auburn. Their running game was non-existent, and it was a comedy of blown calls, as it seemed the refs did everything they could to help Auburn win. The biggest highlight of the game came on the feet of Zach Cunningham as he blocked the biggest kick of his career. This play will\u00a0never get old…<\/p>\n https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=cPSt0VeU9pI<\/p>\n Final Score: Auburn 23, Vanderbilt 16<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 10, Auburn 14<\/p>\n Mason and his Commodores went into this game knowing they needed two more wins to become bowl eligible. However, Vandy played a really ugly game, struggling in all three phases. \u00a0My bold pre-season prediction came up SHORT. The hopes of Vandy winning six games were all but lost.<\/p>\n Final Score: Missouri 26, Vanderbilt 17<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 27, Missouri 17<\/strong><\/p>\n My pre-season words: “Vandy running back Ralph Webb will be on course for a record-breaking season. This will be a hard fought game. I would love to say the \u2018Dores will pull out a win, but I do not want to be called crazy. Ole Miss will prevail in Nashville.” \u00a0<\/em>I knew they were going to win this game. (And call me crazy if\u00a0you want, but\u00a0this fall I will be making a case for Vandy making the playoffs). Shurmur and his offense found the spark they had been chasing all season. Vanderbilt scored 31 straight points. Webb ran for three touchdowns and had\u00a0123 yards.<\/p>\n Final Score: Vanderbilt 38, Ole Miss 17<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 17, Ole Miss 21<\/p>\n Wow! I was spot on with my pre-season words: “The \u2018Dores offense will be firing on all cylinders and \u201cBlack Death\u201d will want this W on their watch…Mason\u2019s defense loves a good upset. They will pull one off against the Volunteers.” <\/em>Rocky Top scored on their first drive, and Vandy answered with a touchdown of their own. In fact, the ‘Dores held their own the entire first half, going into halftime down 24-31. Vandy came into the third quarter on fire, holding the Volunteers to just three points in the second half. Mason’s team had accomplished their goal. They were bowl eligible, the real way and not riding on their APR. The video of Mason dancing in his lucky vest<\/a> went viral.<\/p>\n Final Score: Vanderbilt 45, Tennessee 34<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Vanderbilt 27, Tennessee 21<\/p>\n An extra month of football for Vandy. Yet, the ‘Dores came out flat, losing to a fired up NC State team. The offense that scored 45 points on Tennessee just a month earlier didn’t click the defense had more holes than big eye Swiss. The Commodores lost to NC State on a sticky Shreveport night 41-17. Not the ending Commodore Nation wanted, and Mason took the loss on his shoulders as usual.<\/p>\n A little nugget of information that I find interesting: in 2006, Alabama played in the Independence Bowl and lost to Oklahoma State. They returned the following year to play Colorado and won. In 2008, they won the Sugar Bowl and in 2009, their first National Championship under Saban. I am not saying Vanderbilt is Alabama, but I am just saying that anything can happen in college football, and it usually does. Alabama will travel to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt September 23rd.<\/p>\n Final Season Record: 6-7 (3-5)<\/p>\n My preseason prediction:\u00a0Season Prediction: 9-3<\/p>\n This is a relentless, tough, and intelligent team that had limitless expectations for the 2016 schedule. Derek Mason is one of the best defensive minds, and he gave the SEC East a run for its money. As Mason said at SEC Media days last July, \u201cIt\u2019s not about competing anymore, it\u2019s about winning.\u201d As I said in August, “The only thing stopping Vandy from pulling off more than one upset this season is themselves. As long as they keep their turnovers to a minimum, and the defense continues to be tough and relentless, it will be a great year for the Commodore Nation…”\u00a0<\/em>It was a great season for the Commodore Nation. They\u00a0are not the “same ole Vandy”, and they here to be taken seriously. Vanderbilt is no longer be the doormat of the SEC.<\/p>\n Main Photo<\/p>\nTough Start<\/h3>\n
Season Goals = Bowl Eligible<\/h3>\n
Game 1: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt; September 1st<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 2: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders\u00a0<\/a> vs. Vanderbilt; September 10th<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Game 3: Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech; September 17th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 4: Vanderbilt at Western Kentucky; September 24th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 5: Florida vs. Vanderbilt; October 1st<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 6: Vanderbilt at Kentucky; October 8th<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 7: Vanderbilt at Georgia; October 15th<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 8: Tennessee State at Vanderbilt; October 22nd<\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 9: Vanderbilt at Auburn; November 5th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 10: Vanderbilt at Missouri; November 12th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 11: Ole Miss at Vanderbilt; November 19th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Game 12: Tennessee at Vanderbilt; November 26th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Independence Bowl: Vanderbilt vs. NC State; December 26th<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Limitless<\/h3>\n