'08's 117th-ranked 'O' tallies 620 yards in route of WCU
by Greg Frayser
To those suggesting that the Vanderbilt Commodores' flirtation with the Top 25 last year, along with its bowl victory over Boston College, was just a temporary aberration, this year's 'Dores had a message on Saturday. Vandy marked the start of the 2009 season with a 45-0 dismantling of Western Carolina, shutting out an opponent for the first time in 10 years.
The 'Dores put up an impressive 620 yards of offense (including 433 yards rushing), featuring a no-huddle Wildcat offense helmed by redshirt sophomore Larry Smith. Yes, you read that right. The 'Dores put up an impressive 620 yards of offense.
With Jared Hawkins nursing a foot injury, Vanderbilt passed the tailback duties to two freshmen, Warren Norman and Zac Stacey, who both rushed for more than 100 yards and a combined three TDs. VU's passing game looked equally impressive, with Smith showing off a strong arm and good decision-making. Smith had to leave the game after falling on the ball awkwardly, but reports have said it was nothing more than cramps and dehydration.
On defense, the Commodores displayed nice speed and athleticism. It remains to be seen how that defense will hold up against some of the better (and larger) SEC offenses, but regardless of the opponent, this is clearly a young and explosive Vanderbilt team that looks poised to build on the successes of last year.
It will be important to watch home games against both Georgia and Georgia Tech. A win in either would likely be the key to a 6-7 win season necessary for Vanderbilt's first ever back-to-back bowl appearance.
Season Prediction: 7-5
09.05 vs. Western Carolina 45-0
09.12 at LSU
09.19 vs. Mississippi State
09.26 at Rice
10.03 vs. Ole Miss
10.10 at Army
10.17 vs. Georgia
10.24 at South Carolina
10.31 vs. Georgia Tech
11.07 at Florida
11.14 vs. Kentucky
11.21 at Tennessee
Vande may go 6-6, this is the first season in a long time there are actually hopes coming from their football team. When teams aren't used to that they crumble.
ReplyDeleteWhile it's nice for everyone to be happy after beating a cream puff, it's important to look at their schedule ... they weren't going to beat LSU or Florida, so those might have well been away. Vandy always collapses to end the year, so count UT as a loss. So...
ReplyDeleteMSU, at Rice, Ole Miss, at Army, Georgia, at USC, Georgia Tech, Kentucky
From these eight games, Greg sees only two losses. My take...
Wins:
I'll give him Rice and Army (though that's the type of game Vandy historically blows); MSU is going to be tougher than it looks, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt, esp at home.
Losses:
I'm on the edge calling for a Vandy win over Ole Miss, but any rationale person sees that as a loss. So too are GT and UGA, even with how bad the Dawgs looked last weekend.
Toss-up:
S.Carolina - I'd give them USC, but with it being away (I know they won there two years ago), I'm counting it as a L.
Kentucky - this might make or break the season for the Commodores - a win over UK and they could be bowling at 6-6. Loss, and at best 5-7.
I'm looking at a 4-8 or 5-7 record. 7-5 is being too optimistic based on a win over a D1-AA team that went 3-9 in 2008. Why not shoot for the SEC East too?