SEC Power Rankings: Alabama, Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia All in the Title Hunt

Dec 31, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver

(87) scores a touchdown after a reception against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first half of the Music City Bowl at LP Field. The Commodores beat the Wolfpack 38-24. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

7. Vanderbilt Commodores

Last Season: 9-4 (5-3)

Key Addition: Jordan Cunningham

Key Word: Repeat

Outlook:

Vanderbilt is returning 17 starters from a team that set school records in single-season wins and SEC wins. They have a top 20 recruiting class supplementing coming in for 2013, and one of the best coaches in the country in James Franklin leading the way.

Add that to what is a favorable schedule by SEC standards. Vanderbilt plays no one of consequence in the non-conference portion of their schedule, and avoid having to play Alabama and LSU. The only downside is they have to play South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Florida on the road, dimming their chances to pull off an upset of one of the major teams on the schedule. This means that, if Vanderbilt is going to surpass what they did last season and take the next step in the SEC, they will need to knock off Georgia at home on Oct. 19. Not an easy task.

Other than that, Vanderbilt should be favored in every other game they play, and should have a real shot to repeat their nine win total.