Vanderbilt May Improve, But Wins Will Be Tough

Vanderbilt can only go up from where they left off in 2014. Hopefully.

The Commodores, led by second year head coach Derek Mason, will have to make huge strides this season to get back to respectability in 2015. Last season had fans shaking their heads and thinking “same old Vandy”. It was not good enough for fans that enjoyed winning for a change.

Vanderbilt went 3-9 last season including a 0-8 record against SEC foes. It was tough to take coming off of the success of Penn State head coach James Franklin. Add the high profile trial that put Vandy in a light the school was not used to being in, and it was a forgettable year. The trial is still going on unfortunately. There is nothing Mason can do about that, nor was it under his watch.

So Mason needs to get Commodore Nation back on track. The Commodore baseball team did their part by getting back to the National Championship game. They made Vanderbilt fans feel good again, but now it is the football team’s time.

More from Vanderbilt Commodores

I just don’t know if that can be done. Several changes have been made since last season. The Commodores head coach appointed himself as defensive coordinator. That was actually a smart move. That is what Derek Mason actually is, a defensive coordinator. He is a good one at that.

It remains to be seen how he will lead the team and handle defensive calls while on the sidelines. Vanderbilt looked a little underwhelming with poor clock management, personnel groupings and even game time adjustments.

Quite frankly, Vanderbilt looked like it was being coached by a guy in his first season as a head coach. That is of course exactly the situation Mason was faced with. Oh, and it is the SEC as well. That is akin to a daycare teacher walking into the classroom of a fourth year political science class and teaching at Vanderbilt. It was a tough place to begin.

But changes have been made. A very exciting change is bringing in the offensive coordinator of Wisconsin, Andy Ludwig, to Nashville. Ludwig has had tremendous success at Wisconsin. He also coached the Utah Utes to four consecutive bowl seasons. He is the real deal. He will bring a tough, run first mentality.

Ludwig’s Wisconsin teams set Badger records for offense in the two years he was there. Of course he had Melvin Gordon. But, the cupboard is not bare at Vanderbilt in the backfield.

The Dore’s have capable running back Ralph Webb to lead the offense. The now Sophomore was impressive in year one racking up 907 yards on 212 carries. At just 5’10, Webb is still a load to tackle as he brings his 202 lb frame low to the ground. He has plenty of speed, and plenty of talent. He just needs a hole to run through.

Live Feed

SEC Football Head Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2024 /

South Bound & Down

SEC Football: Alabama on top in final 2023 power rankingsSouth Bound & Down

SEC Basketball: Kentucky, South Carolina rise in latest 2023-24 power rankingsSouth Bound & Down

In-Person SEC Football's Viewing Experience is DyingSouth Bound & Down

SEC Football Fireside Chat - Week 13: Anti-Rash OintmentSouth Bound & Down

SEC Football: Kentucky rises, Arkansas falls in Week 14 2023 power rankingsSouth Bound & Down

Vanderbilt also has running back Dallas Rivers who is talented in his own right. He is a bigger back, and he will get his opportunities this fall for sure. One name that may fly under the radar is a name familiar to Tennessee Titans fans. Mason brought in former great Eddie George’s son Jaire George. He will be a work in progress but will give coach Ludwig some much needed depth.

Vanderbilt lost two leaders this past week. Andrew Jelks and CJ Duncan are out for the season. Jelk was the leading offensive lineman and Duncan the leading receiver. This was devastating. Mason has not recruited well on the offensive side of the ball, and depth is non existent.

With that said the Vanderbilt defense will be stout. They have a lot of talent on this side of the ball, and it will be the defense that keeps Vandy in games. They are led by Nigel Bowden in the middle. He is a future NFL linebacker.

The defensive line is led by the mouthy Caleb Azubike. Azubike is a local kid that had some talent, but has a hard time staying on the field. He is better known for his antics on twitter than on the field. Vandy needs him to step up big time in 2015.

The secondary is still young. Heck, the entire team is still young. Vanderbilt had the second youngest team in the country last season. So a year under the corner’s and safeties belts will surely help. Their best defensive back last season was none other than Torren McGaster. He led the team in tackles with 66. and had two interceptions in a loss to rival Tennessee to finish the season.

Vandy starts in less than two weeks against an inferior, but dangerous Western Kentucky team. Again, Coach Mason is making a mistake by not naming a starting quarterback. The race is tight between Wade Freeback and Johnny McCrary. The Commodore Team needs to know who their leader will be.

It will be crucial to get off to a good start. Not only do they need to win, but they need to win in a convincing manner. I am not convinced they can.

More from Tenn Truth

Home/Vanderbilt Commodores