Predicting the 2014 SEC Football Season: Vanderbilt Commodores

The tenth in a series leading up to fall camps takes us to the brainiacs.



Vanderbilt  9-4 (4-4) in 2013

Synopsis:
Starting QB: gone. Top two receivers: gone. Leading tackler: gone. All-American cornerback: gone. 8 starters on defense: gone. Head coach: gone. Momentum: waning.

Former coach James Franklin took Vanderbilt to heights the program had never seen before: two straight bowl appearances, THREE straight bowl appearances. In 2012, he got the 'Dores ranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948. Their 9-4 records the last two seasons were just the third and fourth nine-win seasons in school history. However, the Franklin show has moved up north and I have the feeling momentum has gone with him. I am underwhelmed by that guy they hired to replace him. What was his name? I will say though, I am impressed with the hiring of Karl Dorrell as offensive coordinator.

The encouraging news is the return of Jerron Seymour who had 716 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Additionally, back-up QB Patton Robinette saw significant playing time when Austyn Carta-Samuels was injured and led the 'Dores to a road win over Florida last season.

Key losses:
CB Andre Hal (Round 7, Texans), WR Jordan Matthews (Round 2, Eagles), OT Wesley Johnson (Round 5, Steelers), QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, FS Kenny Ladler (leading tackler), WR Jonathan Krause (#2 WR), PK Carey Spear, DE Walker May, MLB Chase Garnham, LB Karl Butler.

Key returnees:
QB Patton Robinette, RB Jerron Seymour, C Joe Townsend, DE Caleb Azubike, LB Darreon Herring, LB Jake Sealand, DE Kyle Woestmann.

Key newcomers:
DE Nifae Lealao, S Emmanuel Smith, ATH Dallas Rivers, S Trent Sherfield, OT Cole Hardin, ATH Ronald Monroe, CB Bryce Lewis.

Schedule:
Thu, Aug 28 vs Temple - W
Sept 6 vs Ole Miss (LP Field) - L
Sept 13 vs Massachusetts - W
Sept 20 vs South Carolina - L
Sept 27 @ Kentucky - W - This is a toss up but UK is SO bad.
Oct 4 @ Georgia - L
Oct 11 vs Charleston Southern - W
Oct 25 @ Missouri - L
Nov 1 vs Old Dominion - W
Nov 8 vs Florida - L
Nov 22 @ Mississippi State - L
Nov 29 vs Tennessee - L

Let's Go Bowling! Sorry, no. They are lucky to get four wins because of an embarrassingly lame non-conference schedule that would make Ohio State blush.

........

Other previews:

• TAMU aTm
• Florida Tebows
• LSU Grass Eaters
• UGA Dawgs - very tight voting in this poll.
  
• South Carolina - warning: this poll was invaded by some Gamecocks fan.
  
• MSU Clanga-Clangs
• Arkansas Hawgs
• Tennessee Vols
• Ole Miss Rebel Ackbar Black Bears