Is Vanderbilt Building Toward a Bowl?

Bobby Johnson always felt he could do well in the "Big Time" division football and when the call came, Johnson took a deep breath and considered if this was the route he wanted to take. 

It would mean a step up to Division One and a step up into the SEC to match wits with some of the best coaches in the nation.  He looked out the window into the cool December sky and pondered. 

He had just led Furman to a Division II national championship, and he had hoped there would be better offers.  Not a better league to coach in, but a better school.  The school that wanted him was Vanderbilt, the doormat of the SEC.

He took a deep breath and in his mind accepted not only the offer, but the challenge.  It was like the old Broadway song: if he could make it there, he'll make it anywhere.  Bobby Johnson never backed down from a challenge.

Johnson knew there were two truths.  The university chancellor had pledged his full support and patience, and the other was he would need them.  There were three two-win campaigns, but insiders and knowledgeable sportsmen were seeing the difference in his recruits and the impact they were making.  Maybe this man could make it happen.

Then came the breakthrough season in 2005, and suddenly Vanderbilt was flirting with dreams of bowl games after another 4-0 start, but they fell just short and won just one more game with lots of close-game heartaches. 

But since the low points of the two-win seasons, there have been wins over in-state rival Tennessee, Georgia in Sanford Stadium no less, and South Carolina, who was ranked No. 6 in the nation at that time.  Not only had Johnson shown he can coach with the best, he proved it could be done from Vanderbilt, no less.

Vanderbilt is riding the wave so far this season.  With only four games down, they are the season's Cinderella story.  Once again bowl games are within their reach, with remaining games against Mississippi State, Duke and Kentucky, a seven-win season certainly seems a reality, as is post-season play, which always gets the eye of a young recruit.

Vanderbilt's Chancellor Gee and Vice Chancellor Williams' pledge of loyalty is now paying off.  Vanderbilt now sits poised to be a consistent challenger in most of its games and a spoiler should anyone not take them seriously. 

Vanderbilt has always had a history of playing "tough" games but usually winding up on the short side of the scoreboard.  Now they may develop into bowl contenders. 

Should Johnson take the Commodores to a seven- or eight-win season and a bowl, the phones may start ringing again.  I think he'll stay for a while and pay back some of that loyalty and that could spell trouble for some "Big Names" in the SEC for a few more years.