SEC Power Rankings: Georgia, LSU Do Battle To Keep SEC, National Championship Hopes Alive
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 21, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Darreon Herring (35) tackles Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Elgin Long (16) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
9. Vanderbilt Commodores
Record: 2-2 (0-2)
Previous Ranking: (Trend: — )
Last Week: Vanderbilt 24, Massachusetts 7
This Week: vs. UAB
Next Week: vs. Missouri
Vanderbilt should get another win under their belts after this weekend’s game versus UAB.
Afterwords the attention moves to the next month of the season where Vanderbilt’s program and stability is going to be tested. Vandy has Missouri, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Florida all in a row, with a bye week just before the Florida game.
Go 0-4 in those games, which is a distinct possibility, and Vanderbilt will have taken a significant step backwards after taking two steps forward last season. An 0-4 over that stretch means Vandy will risk missing a bowl game for the first time in the Franklin era.
The key will be the Missouri game at home next week. They may be the weakest of the five teams – though and argument could be made Florida is the weakest of the five – and Vanderbilt has to hold court at home. Beat Missouri and Vanderbilt likely salvaged a bowl game, at worst. Lose and things get very difficult.