Vanderbilt Commodores Football: 2011 Season Preview

A 2-10 season with your longtime coach leaving in the offseason is not exactly what I call a springboard to the 2011 season. James Franklin (former Maryland offensive coordinator) now takes over in Nashville for these Commodores that try harder and harder every year to compete with the superior teams in the SEC.

They are fortunate to be playing in the SEC East as opposed to the West, but in reality it does not really matter.

They return everybody back on offense with Larry Smith leading the way under center. He has some physical tools at 6’2” and 218 pounds but has lacked the arm strength to thread the needle against the All-Americans he goes up against every Saturday.

Speaking of All-Americans, tight end Brandon Barden has a legitimate chance at achieving just that. Despite only three touchdowns and 34 catches for 425 yards, he has exceptional hands for a big guy (6’5”, 245 pounds).

If head coach James Franklin gives his stud the ball early and often, the Commodores have a puncher's chance to pull off a couple of upsets over SEC foes in 2011.

That will only happen if the defense takes it to a whole new level. The front four was gashed, giving up 193 yards per game, which ranked 100th in the nation and dead last in the SEC. They are led by defensive end Tim Fugger (three sacks, 22 tackle for losses), who is in his final season in black and gold. He will be joined alongside returning linemen T.J. Greenstone and Rob Lohr.

The linebacker corps is solid and led by second-team All-SEC Chris Marve, though the rest of corps is fairly green. They need a few more playmakers to develop because the athletes just never stop in the SEC. 

The secondary has some improved playmakers led by Casey Heyward and Sean Richardson (both seniors) would see playing time on nearly any SEC team because of how talented and experienced they are.

Richardson is fairly ripped at 6’2” and 218 pounds and can break up many passes with his wingspan. Heyward may not be the tallest at 5’11”, but he is extremely instinctive and quick in coverage.

Vandy allowed 419 yards per game, which ranked just 93rd, but the defense is improved with eight starters back. They also may be just 1-15 the past two seasons, but they are far from a walk in the park.

Georgia and South Carolina are no pushovers and they would be flexing their muscle in probably any other conference in the nation. Their schedule in 2011 is far from easy as it in fact may be the toughest in the SEC after LSU’s.

Some prognosticators rank the Commodores having a top 10 schedule as there are nine bowl opponents from 2010. Maybe Army and Connecticut won’t make a bowl game, but I am certain South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas will all be legit top 25 teams in 2011.

The gauntlet known as the SEC is just loaded with week after week of elite teams. Before Vandy attempts to reach a bowl game, it first needs to clean house against the non-conference competition. It opens up against Elon before taking on a much weaker UConn team that made a BCS bowl a season ago by winning the Big Easy—I mean, East.

Army and eventually Wake Forest in the last game of the season should give Vandy a legit chance at topping its two-win total from a season ago.

Predicted Finish: 3-9, 0-8

Predicted Bowl: None

Predicted order of finish in SEC: Sixth in East, Last in SEC