Sept. 27, 2011
Coming off a 21-7 loss at No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday, the Commodores have an open date in their schedule this weekend before playing at Alabama on Oct. 8. The open date will give Vanderbilt an opportunity to rest up before traveling to Tuscaloosa.
Offense to Face Stiffest Challenge Yet
After playing against the best defensive line it had faced all season at South Carolina, the challenge only gets larger the following game as the Commodores play at Alabama. The Crimson Tide run a 3-4 defense that is anchored in the middle by nose tackle Josh Chapman, who is a 6-foot-1, 310-pound senior. Alabama’s linebacking corps is led by middle backer Dont’a Hightower – a Lewisburg, Tenn., native. Alabama’s defense will be the deepest and the most talented Vanderbilt has faced this season.
The Crimson Tide are ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense, ranking third in pass yards allowed (138.25) and third in rushing yards allowed (45.75).
For Vanderbilt to find success against Alabama, it will need to begin up front with the offensive line. The young line is still getting comfortable working together as a unit and it showed against South Carolina. The Gamecocks sacked quarterback Larry Smith six times in the game and the running game was unable to find many holes.
“Offensively, we got manhandled up front,” Franklin said after the South Carolina game. “Their athleticism was obvious and we struggled with that all night.”
“We just didn’t execute,” center Wesley Johnson said. “We didn’t play the way that we are capable of playing.”
Franklin Backs his Quarterback
En route to Memphis on Monday where he was the featured speaker at the Touchdown Club of Memphis, Coach Franklin spontaneously called in to 104.5 the Zone’s 3 Hour Lunch show. Among the many topics addressed by Franklin was the amount of unwarranted criticism directed at quarterback Larry Smith.
“I think Larry Smith should get an award for what he’s put up with here for the last three years,” Franklin said in Smith’s defense. “I don’t really appreciate people that don’t support him and question the decision making that the coaches are making. This guy has given everything he’s got for this university, for the Black and Gold, and for our team for his entire career here. I really take offense to people that don’t show him the respect that he deserves under very, very challenging circumstances.
“Could he play better? Yeah, no doubt about it. But there’s a lot of people that could play better. … I don’t like that he hasn’t had the support that he deserves.”
Last Win Against Alabama
Here is a trivia question for you. When was the last time Vanderbilt had a win against Alabama?
Well the Commodores, haven’t beaten Alabama on the field since winning 30-21 in Tuscaloosa in 1984. But the last win in the record book came in 1993 when Alabama had to forfeit its 17-6 win in Nashville due the use of an ineligible player (Antonio Langham). In all, Alabama forfeited eight wins and a tie that season. Alabama’s wins were officially vacated in 1995.
Looking Back at 1984 Win
On Sept. 29, 1984, Vanderbilt moved to 4-0 on the season with a 30-21 win in Tuscaloosa. It was Vanderbilt’s best start since 1950 and snapped the Crimson Tide’s 26-year streak of winning on homecoming. After the win, AP pollsters gave Vanderbilt a No. 17 ranking, its first ranking since 1958.
The win is Vanderbilt’s only win in Tuscaloosa. Vanderbilt trailed 10-9 at halftime, but an interception in the second half by Thanh Anderson led to a touchdown pass to Joe Kelly. Carl Woods then broke a 30-yard touchdown run to ice the game.
Points off Turnovers
Vanderbilt’s defense has been forcing turnovers at a rate of four per game, including the four interceptions it had at South Carolina. In total, Vanderbilt has 14 interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The 14 picks lead the NCAA and are five more than Ohio who ranks second.
Vanderbilt has scored 45 of its 102 points off of turnovers (44.1%). A turnover has also led to a score in every game this season.
Where They Rank
The Commodores continue to rank favorably in many national statistical categories. Of the 17 main categories, Vanderbilt ranks in the top 30 in seven of them, including fifth in pass efficiency defense (85.36) and sixth in turnover margin (1.75). Here is a look at the categories the Commodores rank highly in.
Rushing Defense: 28 (97.0)
Pass Efficiency Defense: 5 (85.36)
Total Defense: 17 (279.25)
Scoring Defense: 18 (15.75)
Turnover Margin: 6 (1.75)
Pass Defense: 25 (182.25)
Tackles For Loss: T-29 (7.00)
Turnaround Team
With its three wins in four games this season, Vanderbilt joins Bowling Green as the only two teams to register three wins after having two or less a season ago.
Vanderbilt Off a Bye Week
The Commodores are 2-2 following its last four byes in the schedule dating back to 2006. The wins came against Auburn in 2008 and Eastern Michigan in 2007. The losses were to Florida in 2008 and UConn in 2010. Why don’t the games played match the number of years? Vanderbilt did not have a bye in 2006 or 2009.
Brandon Barca contributed to this story
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