VANDERBILT 2018 SCHEDULE
Sept. 1: MTSU
Sept. 8: Nevada
Sept. 15: at Notre Dame
Sept. 22: South Carolina
Sept. 29: Tennessee State
Oct. 6: at Georgia
Oct. 13: Florida
Oct. 20: at Kentucky
Oct. 27: at Arkansas
Nov. 10: at Missouri
Nov. 17: Ole Miss
Nov. 24: Tennessee
Head Football Coach
Derek Mason was hired in 2014 as the Commodores head football coach replacing the energetic and outspoken Coach James Franklin. Under Coach Mason, Vanderbilt has struggled for the last four seasons ending it's 2017 season with a lackluster 5-7 record and no bowl appearance. The only consolation for the 2017 season was a win over arch-rival Tennessee by a score of 42-24, which probably saved Manson's $2 million a year job for one more season. Coach Mason will be on the hot seat in 2018 and the pressure to win will be intense. But don't look for another major upset over a rival to save him this season, it will take a miracle to overcome the strength of schedule that the Commodores will be facing, even without having to come up against perennial powers Alabama or Auburn. Derek Mason seems to be a great man and a good football coach, but sometimes that's not enough to make it in the SEC, a coach here has to prove that he has all of the attributes of a winner and that he also has something special that will drive his team to a winning season. Coach Mason has at least one more season to prove that he has that special sauce, that extra fire from within to succeed.
Here is an awesome video from last season's game against Tennessee that makes me think that Coach Derek Mason may just have what it takes after all.
Key Offensive Players for 2018
Senior QB - Kyle Shurmur 6-4 / 225
Career Highs
Completions: 30, vs. Kentucky, 11/11/2017
Pass Attempts: 52, vs. Missouri, 11/18/2017
Total Passing Yards: 416 yards, vs. Tennessee, 11/26/16
Longest Pass: 76 yards, vs. Tennessee, 11/26/2016
Touchdown Passes: 4, (3x), last at Tennessee, 11/25/2017
Longest Rush: 15 yards, at Tennessee, 11/28/2015
RS Junior RB - Khari Blasingame 6-1 / 235
Career Highs
Rushing Yards: 100, vs. Tennessee State, 10/22/2016
Rush Attempts: 15, vs. South Carolina, 9/1/2016
Longest Rush: 31, vs. Alabama A&M, 9/9/2017
Rushing Touchdowns: 3, vs. Tennessee State, 10/22/2016
Key Defensive Players for 2018
RS Junior OLB - Charles Wright 6-3 / 240
Career Highs
Total Tackles: 7, vs. Alabama A&M, 9/9/2017
Solo Tackles: 4, at Middle Tennessee, 9/2/2017
Quarterback Sacks: 3, at Middle Tennessee, 9/2/2017
Tackles for Loss: 3, at Middle Tennessee, 9/2/2017
Forced Fumbles: 1, vs. Tennessee, 11/26/2016
Junior DE - Dare Odeyingbo 6-2 / 272
Career Highs
Total Tackles: 5, at Georgia, 10/7/2017
Solo Tackles: 3, (4x) last at Ole Miss, 10/14/2017
Tackles for Loss: 2.0, (3x) last at Tennessee, 11/26/2017
Quarterback Sacks: 2, at Middle Tennessee, 9/2/2017
and
Sophomore DE - Dayo Odeyingbo 6-6 / 265
Career Highs
Total Tackles: 5, vs. Western Kentucky, 11/4/2017
Solo Tackles: 4, vs. Western Kentucky, 11/4/2017
Tackles for Loss: 2.5, vs. Western Kentucky, 11/4/2017
Quarterback Sacks: 2.0, vs. Western Kentucky, 11/4/2017
Interceptions: 1, vs. Alabama A&M, 9/2/2017
Vandy should be above average on offense this season and with an experienced quarterback in Shurmur and decent talent around him they will put up some big numbers in games where they will be favored and they will hold there on for at least the first half against most of their schedule. But the lack of depth and experience on defense will be the teams Achilles heel, ball possession will be a critical factor in big games against the top powerhouse offenses. My prediction is a 5-7 disappointment this season and the cruel world of SEC sportswriters, podcasters and fans will take a toll on team morale and leadership.
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