Skinny - Vanderbilt has the same problem a lot of SEC teams do. Their defense is way ahead of their offense. The defense returns 9 starters from last years squad that was a respectable 21st in scoring defense. The problem was their offense was 117th in yards and 105th in scoring. Those numbers won't get you far, no matter what conference you're in. The offensive line returns intact but the numbers weren't very good last year and there's no clear indication of them getting better this season. Larry Smith and Mackenzie Adams will fight for the QB position with Adams having more experience but Smith being better suited for the role in a no-huddle offense. Smith got the start in the bowl game versus Boston College and he led the team to victory. Charlie Goro will be the darkhorse for the position. The wide receiver position could be real bad if UConn transfer Terence Jeffers doesn't step up and running back will be okay behind Jared Hawkins. Vanderbilt has a difficult road schedule and I expect them to take a step back from last season despite a wealth of returning starters.
Strength - Back 7
The linebacking corps will be solid behind a rising sophomore talent in Chris Marve and a strong senior Patrick Benoist. John Stokes will need to improve at the other position if he doesn't want his spot overtaken by another player. The secondary was solid last season finishing 15th in the country in terms of yards per game through the air but gone is D.J. Moore, one of the country's top defensive players. Myron Lewis returns though and may carry Moore's legacy as he had a handful of sacks in addition to his 5 INTs last season and is primed to build on that in his senior season. Ryan Hamilton had 4 INTs from one of the safety spots last season and eclipsed 100 tackles and should be another All-Conference caliber player in the backfield for the Commodores. A corner spot and the free safety spot are up for grabs and the team needs someone to step up so those players don't constantly get picked on as opponents avoid Lewis and Hamilton.
Weakness - Offense
Its hard to call out an entire offense, but Vanderbilt was truly sad on offense considering the managed to pull out 7 victories. The offensive line has no stars despite a wealth of returning starters and experienced players. Adams and Smith will battle for the quarterback position after a season in which three different players made starts at the quarterback position on a team that managed to go to a bowl. Jared Hawkins is probably the best player on the offense and he managed to average 4.3 yards a carry, but with a team struggling on offense as much as Vandy one would have thought Hawkins would have been more of a workhorse than 139 carries. The wide receivers return little production as the best returners are the tight end and Justin Wheeler, who won't play because of a spring time ACL injury. The team will rely on transfer Terence Jeffers for production.
Key Game - 10/24/09 @South Carolina
Expectations will be as high as they've been in recent seasons in Nashville, but Vanderbilt fans shouldn't get to hopeful as this year's schedule is harder and last year the team managed to win a few games they probably shouldn't have on paper. The Commodores are trying to go to for their first back to back bowl appearances ever and if they want to reach that goal they need to pull off a game at South Carolina. Unfortunately for Vanderbilt, this game is later in the season this year and that could hurt Vanderbilt's chances as USC has more time to recover from a lot of player departures. Playing away from home probably won't help the case either.
Key Player - Terence Jeffers
With the quarterback position a little unsettled and very little offensive production last season, the UConn transfer must step up and become a playmaker. He had a solid 582 yards in 2007, much more yardage than any current Vanderbilt player can account for. Playing in a no-huddle attack, a lot of passes should come his way and he needs to come up with All-SEC type numbers if Vanderbilt wants to return to a bowl game this season. Losing Justin Wheeler to injury only increased the importance of Jeffers this season, as he probably won't have anyone helping him on the other side.
Impact Freshman - Brady Brown
Predicted SEC finish - 5th (East)
Top 5 Players
1. CB Myron Lewis
2. S Ryan Hamilton
3. LB Chris Marve
4. LB Patrick Benoist
5. WR Terence Jeffers
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