The goal for Vanderbilt heading into 2018 has to be achieving bowl eligibility. There are some games here that are projected as solid wins, while others are close defeats where a bounce of the ball could take the game in the Commodores direction. If Derek Mason’s team can take care of expected business – and the offense should help with that – then they are an upset or two away from a winning season.
By Steve Wright
September
9/1/18 Middle Tennessee – The Blue Raiders have an offense that can flat out go. Thankfully for Vanderbilt, Mason seems to have figured out how to slow it down as MTSU has managed just five touchdowns in a three game span against the ‘Dores. Vanderbilt 31, MTSU 17.
9/8/18 Nevada – Another heavy scoring team travels to Nashville as the Nevada Air Raid comes to town. This is a game where we should start to see what transfer back Ke’Shawn Vaughn can do as Vanderbilt has too much for the desert foes. Vanderbilt 35, Nevada 28.
9/15/18 @ Notre Dame – The Irish always tend to be over ranked coming into the season – they are the No. 11 team in the country entering 2018 – but playing in South Bend is no joke. This is by far the ‘Dores most difficult non-con task and the lack of experience in the middle of the defensive line will hurt here. Vanderbilt 21, Notre Dame 32.
9/22/18 South Carolina – Can the Vanderbilt defense find a way to be more proactive. A Vanderbilt defense that was almost last in the entire FBS in takeaways needs to get better in a hurry as Deebo Samuel and the Gamecocks offense can score from anywhere . Vanderbilt 24, South Carolina 31.
9/29/18 Tennessee State – This is the ‘Dores biggest cupcake on the schedule and it is a game where some of the younger players on the roster should get a chance to shine. Vanderbilt 42, Tennessee State 14.
October
10/6/18 @ Georgia – It turns out that Kirby Smart is quite the college football coach. Georgia lost a lot to the NFL – especially in the running game – but this is a program that reloads, with the Bulldogs eyeing up a CFP spot come December. Vanderbilt 20, Georgia 38.
10/13/18 Florida – Some think that South Carolina will provide the main threat to Georgia in the division, but the Dan Mullen factor at Florida cannot be overlooked. By mid-October this Gators team will have found its stride, with Vandy not quite having enough defense to pick up a win. Vanderbilt 24, Florida 31.
10/20/18 @ Kentucky – Kentucky has eight returning starters on defense, a running back (Benny Snell) that is among the best in the league, and a coach that knows stagnating at six or seven wins isn’t going to be enough with this team. Vanderbilt 21, Kentucky 34.
10/27/18 @ Arkansas – The Razorbacks are transitioning to a new offense under head coach Chad Morris, with the former SMU head man looking to promote tempo and speed. This could be the first in a number of shootouts that Vandy is involved in over the latter part of the season, with the outcome being determined by if the ‘Dores have figured out a way to turn the ball over. Vanderbilt 21, Arkansas 31.
November
11/3/18 BYE
11/10/18 @ Missouri – The Tigers won their last six SEC games last year and went 7-0 against teams that didn’t make a bowl. Their offense is supposed to slow down a touch in 2018, but Drew Lock is the real deal on an offense that returns nine starters. Vanderbilt 14, Missouri 31.
11/17/18 Ole Miss – Covering A.J. Brown (maybe the best receiver in the country) and DeMarkus Lodges is going to be a challenge. Ole Miss put up 57 points on Vandy last October, and most of the players from that scoring barrage return. Some will even argue that quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is better than Shea Patterson, the player that threw for over 350 yards and four touchdowns last season. Vanderbilt 23, Ole Miss 38.
11/24/18 Tennessee – There are a lot of factors at player here, but after condemning Tennessee to a four win season in 2017, the Commodores could have the chance to keep the Vols at three wins in 2018. If Vandy picks up a couple of upsets somewhere along the way then this contest could determine bowl eligibility. Either way, Vanderbilt is always going to be up for a chance to take down the Vols in front of a home crowd. Vanderbilt 35, Tennessee 27.
Be the first to comment