re: Hypothetical Vanderbilt vs. WKU Aftermath

I've got it at 24-13 WKU. Mason, while capable is having a hard time fixing was James Franklin broke in half.

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You don't think a total shutdown of an offense getting as much love as WKU's would not suggest 2 conference wins could be easily doable?

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Doable? Yes. Likely? No.

First, WKU's returning a lot off a statistically impressive offense but you can't overlook the fact that they're CUSA and their best win in 2014 was either Navy or Marshall. They played 1 BCS team (Illinois) and lost.

Putting that aside, the bigger issue is schedule. Your OOC schedule isn't loaded with cupcakes. Aside from FCS Austin-Peay, you've got Middle Tennessee (6-6) and Houston (8-5). Neither of those are pushovers and Houston has the potential to be a very big challenge. They finished 8-5 with a bowl win over a P5 program (Pitt).

Even if you sweep the OOC schedule (itself a pretty big hurdle), you've still got to find 2 SEC wins. Your home conference games are Georgia, Mizzou, Texas A&M, and Kentucky. Two of those are current AP top 25 and aTm is only a few votes outside. If you can't split those home games, then you've got to win one at either Oxford, Columbia, Gainesville, or Knoxville.

It is simply very, very hard to make the math work. As demonstrated by Kentucky in 2014, in this conference you can be a pretty good football team and still not find that 6th win.

BTW, ISWYDT

Sneakin a Vandy thread in at the end after all the other east schools had gotten their pre season puffs in

*golf clap*



As to the OP, a win would be a great way to start but if it does not happen my expectations will not have diminished. While Mason appears shaky now, and has not totally lost that deer in the headlight look from moving from the PAC, a year or 2 from now he may have turned it all around.

There were 2 last night.

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if they get blown out, sheesh...probably so long to CDM

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The "bad" part is that we're doubled down on Mason now with him being DC too. He definitely won't be gone before the end of the season unless we lose to Austin Peay badly.

To answer your question here is how each result will make me think about Vandy.

1.) I think it would be time to fire Mason that week, get an interim coach and start the search early to get ahead of Illinios and Rutgers, ect.

2.) I would be encouraged that maybe some coaching and retainment is happening but I'd still be afraid you all will be in for a 2 or 3 win season because the talent is just not obviously there. I would still think Mason doesn't make year 3.

3.) Similar thoughts as to 2 although I may have hope for 4 wins or so and that the program may be able to stabilize long-term under Mason.

4.) I'd be impressed and think Vandy may be able to grab an SEC win or two at home at some point this year and get into the 5/6 win range, I'd think Mason's first year was probably more of an aberration and he'll last a few years.

5.) I'll be shocked and think about the same as Vandy above but think WKU must have just sucked bad.

Knowing Brohm, WKU will likely have a strong offense. And until Vandy settles on a QB with some consistency, I have a hard time seeing a guaranteed win for them here.