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The Vanderbilt Commodores lost a heartbreaking game to SEC opponents the Ole Miss Rebels in week one of the college football season. Their second game of the season was against the Austin Peay Governors. Naturally, they rolled over an FCS team winning 38–3.
Jordan Matthews continued to show why he’s one of the best receivers in the country with 111 yards on just six receptions. He could be the difference in big games later on in the season.
The Commodores have to forget about the loss to the Rebels. They play the South Carolina Gamecocks next week, who have just come off of a potentially National Championship costing loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. The Gamecocks are going to be more focused and dangerous than ever. If Vanderbilt wants to get back into the discussion for possibly being ranked, they must win this game.
A loss to South Carolina won’t cripple Vanderbilt’s season, but a win could lead to much needed confidence. In the SEC, sometimes it’s the team on a hot streak that wins over the more talented team.
Vanderbilt has a fairly easy schedule, so if they want to be in BCS bowl contention, or even SEC East title contention, they’re going to have to win big games. There is a three game stretch later on in the season against Georgia, the Texas A&M Aggies and the Florida Gators. I don’t think that the Commodores can beat all three teams in a row, so they need to make a statement against tough opposition soon.
Don’t sleep on the Commodores – they could pull off a few major upsets.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS or add him to your network on Google.
