How good is Vanderbilt?
by danmarcel on Nov 14, 2011 9:41 AM EST
Email
Print
There is no doubt that James Franklin has created a buzz about Vanderbilt, leading to an optimism about the state of Vandy's football team that hasn't been seen since the Jay Cutler era. Combine this with Tennessee having just played the most brutal gauntlet I can remember anyone playing in the SEC since divisional play began in 1992, and we have a lot of people (Vegas included) thinking that Vanderbilt has a chance to beat Tennessee.
Really? Vanderbilt? I decided to take a look at the records and national rankings of the teams that both Vandy and Tennessee had beaten, to see if there was anything to be gleaned beyond a cursory examination of UT and VUs' own win/loss records. The records of the teams that have beaten each team would be nearly identical, since Tennessee has lost to all the same teams that have beaten Vandy, plus LSU (thanks oh so much, scheduling gods). I also did not include the records or rankings of the one non-FBS team each team has played (Tennessee wins that battle, as Montana is clearly a superior opponent to Elon).
Vanderbilt (5-5)
Wins: Elon, UConn, Ole Miss, Army, Kentucky
Opponent's Record: 13-26 (.333 winning %)
Average National Ranking
Passing Yards: 105.75
Rushing Yards: 65.75 (Army #1)
PF: 95.75
PA: 63.25
Tennessee (4-6)
Wins: Montana, Cincinatti, Buffalo, Middle Tennessee
Opponent's Record: 11-17 (.392 winning %)
Average National Ranking
Passing Yards: 55.33
Rushing Yards: 57.66
PF: 68.33
PA: 70.33
The first thing that jumps out is that Tennessee has played significantly better passing teams. Tennessee's beaten opponents have been slightly better at rushing the football, although Vanderbilt having played the number one rushing team in the nation (Army, who is 3-7, which tangentially proves you can;t be a good team by just running the football) probably skews their rank here. Overall, Tennessee has beaten significantly better offenses, and both teams have beaten comparable offenses.
Basically, Vanderbilt just doesn't pass the sniff test to me. UT and Vandy have lost to basically the same teams, and the quality of Tennessee's wins far surpasses that of Vandy's. And come on - it's Vandy.
FanPosts are most often submitted by users. The views and opinions expressed in FanPosts do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by the editorial staff of Rocky Top Talk or SB Nation.
9 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
They have a lot of confidence.....and we didn't do anything that would discourage them
They play fast and hard. Not incredibly athletic, but they also play smart……If they had the talent on the roster, their W-L record would be better by at least 2 games.
Don’t take them lightly. Kentucky did. Of course, beating us is not much to hang your hat on.
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 14, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions
Perhaps...
But take a closer look at their losses. They lost to GA by 5, lost to AR by 3, lost to FL by 5.
Us? GA by 8, AR by 42 (!), FL by 10. And they scored 28, 28 and 21 points in each of those losses respectively. Against the same opponents we scored 12, 7, and 23.
It is with great, stabbing pain that I have to admit that a loss to this team would not surprise me, in this, the year of our Lord, 2011. May I never, ever have to have that thought again in my natural life.
by livininthepast on Nov 14, 2011 12:54 PM EST reply actions
Vandy sucks.
I know its been a bad year but Vandy sucks and will lose by double digits in knoxville imo.
"I dont hate people. I just feel better when they aren't around." -Bukowski
The most dangerous thing Vandy has is confidence
we’re the more talented team, but we’re shell-shocked, and they’re riding high, and they can absolutely beat us.
And the gap isn’t nearly what it has been in recent years.
Interesting factoid: Tennessee’s last win as an underdog came against Vanderbilt.
Heel for school, Vol for life!
Bolts, Preds, Canes (childhood team, home state team, hometown team). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity!
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 14, 2011 11:18 PM EST reply actions
Without Bray
Vandy is just as good as we are. But I give us the edge at home
With Bray, we are the better team, but only slightly
Quarterback
I’m a Vandy fan… The difference in this team is at QB. With Larry Smith we were pitiful. I don’t know how we beat Elon and UConn with him at QB. But if you go look at what Rogers has been able to do to defenses, that alone will have you shaken in your boots. I’ve been waiting all year for the “old Vanderbilt” to show up on the football field. But I’m now starting to believe maybe this aint the same ole Vanderbilt. Either way I hope it’s a good clean game and nobody from either team gets hurt. May the best team on Saturday win.
SEC Power Rankings !!!
The rankings that really matter !!!
SEC Schools National “Academic” Rankings !!!
#17-Vanderbilt
#58-Florida
#62-Georgia
#75-Alabama
#82-Auburn
#101-Tennessee
#111-South Carolina
#124-Kentucky
#128-LSU
#132-Arkansas
#143-Mississippi
#157-Mississippi St.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE ROCKY TOP TALK STORE
Animated Drive Charts
RTT Classics
