A meaningful final three games
Should Vanderbilt, coming off a bye, qualify for a bowl, they Commodores probably would be relegated to either the Birmingham Bowl or the Independence Bowl.
Those aren’t destinations that excite most fan bases. But the Commodores (4-5, 1-4 SEC) went from 1982 to 2007 without appearing in a bowl and don’t have a typical situation.
That said, VU went to three straight bowls under James Franklin spanning the 2011-13 seasons. Since coach Derek Mason took over, VU has been to just one bowl.
Coach Derek Mason pinpointed several keys if the Commodores are to return to the postseason.
“It has to do with health,” Mason said.
“It has to do with confidence, heading into ballgames late October, early November. The other factor is consistency. What has it been like for you in terms of production?”
Saturday’s challenge will be tough–the Commodores are 15 1/2-point underdogs at Missouri. Certainly, the Commodores have much better chances in home games against Ole Miss and Tennessee to finish the season.
On Tuesday, Commodore players, led by guard Bruno Reagan, who said he “wants to play postseason football,” talked a good game. Mason said the bye was beneficial, and said he’d been pleased with how the team practiced after it was given three straight off-days at the end of last week.
Mason, who’s had four consecutive losing seasons, may have something else for which to play. David Williams, the athletic director who hired him, stepped down in early September. A source connected to the search said VU should have a successor before mid-December, and quite possibly before the end of the regular season.
Health and availability are a mixed bag.
Outside linebacker Charles Wright, a preseason second-team All-SEC pick, hasn’t played in a month due to injury and may be done. Wide receiver Cam Johnson, who could have been the No. 2 wideout the Commodores desperately need, has been out for the year since Week Four.
Starting offensive linemen Egidio DellaRipa and Saige Young have played hurt. So has starting safety LaDarius Wiley, who is now home in Los Angeles to mourn and attend to five siblings after his father died earlier in the week.
Mason didn’t say whether he’d play Saturday, but made it clear Tuesday he’s giving the senior a game off if he needs it.
On the other hand, the Commodores got running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn back a week ago after he’d missed the previous six quarters. Vaughn ran 26 times for 172 yards and three scores, leading the offense to a season high in points in a 45-31 win at Arkansas.
Vanderbilt faced the exact scenario two seasons ago, at 4-5 with Mason possibly playing for his job. The Commodores lost at Missouri, then beat Ole Miss and Tennessee at home, securing an Independence Bowl berth where Vandy lost to N.C. State.