One could make a reasonable argument that the first few games of the season are the most important for a Vanderbilt club that struggled mightily in its first fall under Derek Mason. The Commodores will have an opportunity in those early games -- particularly SEC matchups against Georgia and Ole Miss -- to prove that they will be a more formidable opponent this fall.
But as for their most challenging stretch of games, it looks to be at the back end of the Commodores’ 2015 slate.
Vanderbilt
Toughest stretch: Nov. 7-28 (at Florida, vs. Kentucky, vs. Texas A&M, at Tennessee).
Why: Vanderbilt’s scheduling gurus did a good job of inserting nonconference games between some of the most challenging contests in the early portion of the season. The Commodores won’t play back-to-back SEC games until Oct. 17 and 24 when they visit South Carolina and then host defending SEC East champ Missouri. However, Vandy will close the season with four straight SEC games -- two of which will come at venues that rank among the nation’s most intimidating stadiums for opponents (Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium).
It remains to be seen exactly how difficult this stretch will be for Vandy. The three teams that faced Vandy in 2014 (Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee) all beat the Commodores. But just like Vandy, each of these final four opponents carries significant questions into 2015.
Florida is breaking in a new coaching staff, with former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain taking over for the defensive-minded Will Muschamp. Kentucky flashed some potential early last season -- including wins over Vandy and South Carolina – but lost its final six games and missed out on bowl participation after a 5-1 start. Texas A&M also stumbled late last season and will feature a new defensive coordinator (John Chavis, formerly of LSU and Tennessee) in an effort to plug holes on a porous defense. And while Tennessee looks to have the potential to contend in the SEC East race, the Volunteers still have a lot to prove after going 7-6 in 2014.
Regardless, nothing looks like a gimme for Vandy, which had to scratch and claw to get to 3-9 last season. Mason still faces questions about his capabilities as a head coach, and the Commodores will contend with uncertainty at multiple positions, from quarterback on down. Perhaps they will solve some of those issues this fall, but a tough year could still be ahead. If Vandy is playing competitive football during this four-game stretch to conclude the season, that would be a positive sign that Mason has things moving in the right direction after a rocky beginning. If the Commodores are a mess at the end of the fall, it will be reasonable to question Mason’s staying power in Nashville.