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Predicting the 2014 SEC Football Season: Vanderbilt Commodores

With less than 25 days until the college football season begins, it's never too early to look at the 2014 football schedules and make wild blind predictions.

Vandy quarterback Patton Robinette hopes to keep momentum going.
Vandy quarterback Patton Robinette hopes to keep momentum going.
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The tenth in a series leading up to fall camps takes us to the brainiacs.
Vanderbiltlogo80x50_medium


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.

........

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