Worst Case Scenario: Vanderbilt Commodores

BamaNation.netAug 6, 2009

Worst Case Scenario: Vanderbilt

Biggest Asset: Determination, Heart

Coming off a successful season, in which Vanderbilt finished above .500 and won a bowl game, I’m afraid their greatest asset isn’t talent, or performance, but rather heart and determination. I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again, no one in the SEC and possibly the country, does more with less than Bobby Johnson. When you look at Johnson’s coaching record at Vanderbilt, it appears to be pathetic at 27-56. But the truth is that he does a miracle job year in and year out of instilling pride, determination and heart into the commodores.

Biggest Liability: Scheduling

In 2006 Vanderbilt played 12 games in a row without a break. They finished the season at 4-8 (1-7 in the SEC). They lost 4 of their last 5 games. You would think they’d never schedule a season without a break again.

This year Vanderbilt will not have a bye week after their opening game. They’ll play 12 straight weeks of football, and in the SEC that’s a lot of playing without some time to recuperate.

Vanderbilt isn’t able to match up with other teams in terms of talent, athleticism and in some sense even coaching. Instead of being smart schedulers, they have failed themselves. The wear and tear of the season will prove to be too much for The Commodores this year.

Where They Could Stumble: LSU, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee

Worst Case Scenario: 3-9

Opening against Western Carolina is no easy task. That team always plays hard. What that game may do is tell you how the Vanderbilt season is going to go. Worst case scenario for The Commodores, in my opinion, is for them to finish the season 3-9. The 3 wins come from non-SEC schools, as Vanderbilt beats Western Carolina, Rice and Army. Let’s be honest here, with Auburn off the schedule this year, the Commodores may not get a win in SEC play. They’re probably not more talented than any other team in the SEC. They may be equally as talented, but not more talented. At 3-9, Vanderbilt goes from bowl team last year, to toilet team this year.