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It will be a very difficult challenge, but I think he is capable of achieving it. The "you're just here to boost the SEC's GPA" argument is finally being used to our advantage. If you can play competitive SEC football which Vandy has, even if attributed to downturns around them, AND get the Vanderbilt degree, why wouldn't you play there? As you said, Nashville has a lot of things for a college kid to enjoy also.

I think the degree is a great selling point for parents, especially for Mom, but I don't think the majority of football recruits care. I wish I could say otherwise. Unfortunately most of these kids think they're going pro and don't consider life after football. Others have been criminally hamstrung by K-12 schools, teachers, and fans that never gave a damn about them beyond football -- those kids honestly believe they can't succeed outside of football and that they're too dumb to be there or even learn. Once at university, academic support services often do the same thing 'helping them out with assignments' and they think their only job is to play ball but the early failure to instill confidence beyond sport is glaring and you'd be surprised at who is victimized by such failures. They don't try not because they feel entitled but because they don't believe they can learn. And it's not always the players you think. /academic rant before I get started on K-12 and regular non-student athletes...

But yes, Nashville is a great selling point, imo.

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The administration APPEARS to be willing to put a high level of support behind the football program also. The fanbase and stadium issues are the biggest question marks. You're right that there is nowhere else to really go. Our stadium is relatively locked at its current size. They might be able to design additions to get capacity to 65,000. The issue now is getting people in seats. That has been Franklin's biggest frustration

I have less faith in the administration but yes, I do agree Franklin's frustration with people not attending is pretty clear. I can't really blame him either. Attendance would be a sign of the community recognizing his and the team's achievement.