Vanderbilt Football puts up numbers but ultimately falls to UNLV 40-37 in Week 3 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
Vanderbilt
2023 Results: 2-10, 0-8 SEC
2024 Projection: 3-9, 0-8 SEC
Overview:
Clark Lea is still striving to make the Commodores relevant in the SEC. He scored a few big wins in year 1, but last year’s 0-8 conference record was more of the norm for this program. The offense was bad, and that made it hard on the defense, which was on the field way too much in 2023. Wholesale changes have been made, but will that be enough to get in the win column in SEC play? It might be a stretch to say yes.
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- Vanderbilt football hosts Missouri for game 6 of the season on September 30th at First Bank Stadium
Offense:
After averaging 3.3 yards per carry on the ground last season, the Dores are moving to the option. This may sound like a stone-age move, but with the talent discrepancy on the offensive line, it could be just what the doctor ordered. Look for Vandy to limit the mistakes, stay ahead of the chains and force their opponents to beat them, instead of the self-implosion fans witnessed last season. It works in theory at least.
Defense:
Lea is taking over the play-calling duties on this side of the ball after the pass defense was eviscerated in 2023. They lacked a pass rush and the corners were torched consistently. The good news is they returned several key players and got a few more in the transfer portal that could help turn things around. Langston Patterson returns at middle linebacker, as does safety CJ Taylor. To help with the woes at corner, transfers Marlon Jones Jr. And Kolbey Taylor could provide the lockdown coverage that was lacking in 2023, but that isn’t a guarantee.
Special Teams:
The Dores landed a punter in the portal with Jesse Mirco leaving Ohio State to head to Nashville, but placekicking is a huge question mark with Brock Taylor having never swung his leg at an attempt of any kind at the college level.
Final Thoughts:
Lea is making a valiant effort to build the program at Vandy, but the mountain is steep and treacherous. It’s hard to see a conference win on this schedule, but the option attack can be tricky for defenses with only a week to prepare for it, so maybe they will steal a few games along the way.
