SEC East Preview

Bittersweet day! Right now, with the publishing of the SEC East preview, the Rotoworld CFB group’s summer time school soccer preview collection is formally full. However boy oh boy – that implies that school soccer is mere days away! And that implies that tomorrow (Thursday) I’ll be publishing my first ATS column of the 2019 season overlaying Saturday’s video games between Florida-Miami and Arizona-Hawaii.

The CFF fantasy projections for the SEC under are courtesy of my colleague Hayden Winks. Verify the top of this column for hyperlinks to each convention preview Mark Lindquist, Chris Crawford, Connor Allen, Mr. Winks and myself wrote this summer time. Every is chalk full of research, stat projections, projected data, over/below win complete predictions, and NFL Draft prospects for each FBS group.

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: OT Andrew Thomas is my preseason OT1 within the 2020 NFL Draft. A well-built banger with straightforward athleticism and loads of brute energy, Thomas’ recreation blends supreme flexibility and explosion with ferocious energy. The consensus 2018 All-American wants to wash up his footwork and hand utilization, nevertheless, as a way to grow to be an NFL All-Professional. He might additionally stand to play with extra goal-oriented objective and fewer bloodlust.

The case for: Georgia has one of many two greatest offensive strains within the nation (together with Oregon) and R1 NFL Draft prospects at QB/RB in Jake Fromm/D’Andre Swift. The receiving corps is a query mark, however Fromm’s effectivity paired with one of many nation’s greatest RB teams and OL items ensures that Georgia will have the ability to transfer the ball and management the clock towards most defenses even when no true WR1 emerges.

The protection returns six starters and ranks No. 36 within the nation in manufacturing returning. As with the offense, the protection’s flooring could be very excessive. Georgia allowed lower than 20 factors per recreation final season and can accomplish that once more if it will probably enhance in two areas: Towards the run, and getting after the quarterback. The entrance seven is skilled and filled with beef (the three projected DL starters are throughout 300 kilos). Georgia will seemingly be harder to run on than they had been final 12 months.

Georgia wants to seek out a number of rapid difference-makers from its assortment of inexperienced, blue-chip edge rushers. If they’ll, a playoff run is possible. The schedule isn’t breezy (No. 13 S&P+), but it surely’s manageable. The Bulldogs will seemingly be favored in all 12 video games. They’ve preseason S&P+ win expectations of at the least 66% in each recreation aside from the November 16 tilt at Auburn (51%). Exterior of that, UGA hosts Notre Dame and Florida and can seemingly be double-digit favs within the different 9 video games. Georgia geese Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State within the common season.

The case towards: The returning expertise is great, however the Bulldogs should overcome key offseason losses to get again to the playoffs. I don’t care that the opposite three starters are again within the secondary – no secondary improves after dropping a Jim Thorpe winner (first-round CB Deandre Baker). Baker defanged a procession of WR1s the previous few seasons, leading to extra stalled drives and fewer explosive performs towards.

Georgia has rather a lot returning on protection, so this isn’t Mission Unattainable, however the defensive technique goes to be totally different this time round towards the Jerry Jeudy’s and Bryan Edwards’ and Kalija Lipscomb’s of the world. And with sack chief D’Andre Walker off to the NFL, the pass-rushing challenge isn’t as straightforward to undertaking enhance in because the run protection, which might put much more stress on the Baker-less secondary.

However the DB room isn’t what’s retaining Georgia followers up at evening. That’d be the WR/TE room. The Bulldogs misplaced Riley Ridley, Mecole Hardman, Terry Godwin and Isaac Nauta to the NFL Draft, after which kicked leading-returning receiver Jeremiah Holloman off the group earlier this summer time. I see Fromm as extra of a high-end facilitator than a singular playmaker. He hits open receivers, and he can throw good ones open.

However what if Demetris Robertson no-shows once more? What if Lawrence Cager is precisely what he was at Miami? What if George Pickens is simply too inexperienced to contribute closely immediately? Is Fromm able to elevating a mediocre receiving corps? And what if Fromm will get injured? This group has some margin for error – however a key harm together with the cratering of the receiving corps and a regression of the secondary would mild what might be a dream season aflame.

Vegas over/below win complete: 11

Prediction: PUSH

2. Florida Gators

2018 report: 10-3 (5-3)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: CB CJ Henderson (6’0/191) is frighteningly quick and really sticky in protection. On 36 targets final 12 months, Henderson allowed solely 50% completions and fewer than 7.Zero YPA whereas choosing off two balls. He posted an 81.Eight PFF protection grade. He has extra utility than that, although. Henderson has proven to be extraordinarily disruptive on the blitz. His PFF stress grade of 94.1 in 2018 was out-of-this-world, with three sacks and 5 TFL. The No. 34 Freak on Bruce Feldman’s checklist this summer time, Henderson boasts a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-Four broad soar. Regardless of solely carrying round 4.Three % physique fats, Henderson squats 545 kilos and might do 16 reps of 225 on the bench.

The case for: Dan Mullen can coach his butt off, can’t he? After years of overachieving at Mississippi State, Mullen returned to Gainesville and instantly cleaned up Jim McElwain’s mess (4-7 in 2017) en path to a 10-Three end. The triumphant marketing campaign concluded with methodically dominant wins over Florida State (41-14) and Michigan (41-15). The protection was stout, permitting 20.Zero ppg.

With eight starters again – together with mega-studs EDGE Jabari Zuniga and CB CJ Henderson – it might be even higher in 2019. And one of many “new” starters is CB Marco Wilson, a standout himself who was knocked out for the season in Week 2 final 12 months. He’s a legit NFL expertise. Florida moreover poached disruptive DT Adam Shuler from West Virginia as a grad switch. The protection goes to be superior.

Solely 5 starters return on offense. However over time we’ve realized that it’s not in your greatest curiosity to doubt Mullen’s means to fabricate a powerful offense out of spare elements, castoffs, and three-star recruits. I’m imagined to undertaking an offensive drop-off in 12 months 2 of his system at Florida? Please. After watching Mullen flip accuracy-allergic QBs Nick Fitzgerald and Feleipe’ Franks into above-average SEC starters, I am beginning to suppose this man might have reached a bowl recreation with Artwork Sitkowski behind heart final 12 months.

Franks’ accuracy points persist, however Mullen was capable of coax him as much as 58.4% completions with a 24/6 TD/INT ratio one 12 months after Franks accomplished 55% for a 9/Eight ratio (his passing effectivity jumped in type from 113.Three in 2017 to 143.Four final 12 months). Simply as spectacular, Mullen was by some means capable of flip the large pocket passer right into a Fitzgerald-lite presence on the bottom. Taking out sack yardage, Franks ran for 452 yards and 7 TD on nearly 5 yards per carry. If Franks can handle 60% completions — I am telling you, do not put this previous Mullen — and the rebuilt offensive line comes collectively, Florida goes to be wickedly environment friendly once more on offense. If they’re, this group goes to threaten double-digit wins once more. The protection will see to that.

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The case towards: An earthquake of defections worn out Florida’s infrastructure positions over the winter. 4 beginning offensive linemen – together with powerhouse RT Jawaan Taylor and four-year starter Martez Ivey – are gone. Havoc-wreaking sack artist Jachai Well mannered is gone. Main tackler Vosean Joseph is gone. I’m most involved concerning the offensive line, because it opened the gaping holes for Franks and Lamical Perine that the offense was constructed upon. If Franks’ accuracy doesn’t enhance, and the working recreation regresses a bit because the OL is overhauled, will the offense take a step backwards regardless of Mullen’s greatest efforts?

If it does, the Gators might have a troublesome time reaching their Vegas win complete of 9. Florida will seemingly be underdogs within the (vs.) Georgia and (at) LSU video games, they usually additionally could be after they host Auburn. Lose these three video games, and the one likelihood of recouping money for an OVER 9 ticket can be going 9-Zero over the remainder of the slate and getting your a reimbursement. For those who’re as involved a couple of restricted quarterback like Franks enjoying behind an OL with this many query marks as I’m, the schedule doesn’t present a ton of hope that Florida will end over that complete. The wager right here is UNDER or go.

Vegas over/below win complete: 9

Prediction: PUSH

3. Missouri Tigers

2018 report: 8-5 (4-4)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: TE Albert Okwuegbunam (6’5/255) is lengthy, thick and fluid — and hell to take care of down the seam. He’s received lengthy arms on that 6’5 body, and his basketball background is obvious when he goes airborne to high-point rebounds. Okwuegbunam has been a crimson zone killer within the SEC. In solely 18 profession video games, he’s caught 17 TD (together with 72 catches and 881 yards).

However he’s a poor route runner. Okwuegbunam telegraphs the place he’s going as a result of athletic limitations drive him to spherical off routes as a substitute of snapping. Due to that, he isn’t capable of create a ton of separation. And certainly he’s had a number of profession TD catches during which he was wide-open when the ball arrived due to protection breakdowns. Okwuegbunam a straight-line athlete within the Alizé Mack mould. He provides extra effort as a blocker however will prime out at common in that space.

The case for: Missouri’s schedule is a cakewalk. Missouri has an S&P+ win chance of at the least 72% in every of its first eight video games. Say they maintain serve in all of them, okay? On November 9, the 8-Zero Tigers would head into Athens to play the vaunted Georgia Bulldogs. The following week brings a coin-flip house recreation towards Florida, and Missouri finishes the season with two video games (Tennessee and Arkansas) it’ll be favored to win.

That makes 10-2 simply in play. Missouri might not even must spring an upset to get there. I’m not the largest Kelly Bryant fan, and I’m wondering how Missouri goes to rejigger its offense to compensate for the large drop-off in arm expertise behind heart. But when there may be an event for a Kelly Bryant offense, it’s towards this schedule. Bryant’s ground-centric, zone-read heavy recreation is an efficient match with Larry Rountree III, one of many convention’s greatest backs. And Missouri retains a powerful receiving corps and the most effective TEs within the nation in Okwuegbunam for when the protection cheats up.

If the offense skews extra ground-heavy and conservative as I anticipate, Missouri ought to have the ability to prepare dinner up an environment friendly, clock-controlling, turnover-averse offense centered round Bryant, Rountree, and play-action passes to Albert O, Johnathon Johnson and Jonathan Nance. That might play proper into the fingers of Missouri’s protection, which ought to be rock strong once more. It gained’t appear like your older brother’s Missouri Tigers, however this outfit might simply ground-and-pound its strategy to double-digit wins. Within the common season. (See under).

The case towards: The Tigers are enjoying below a one-year bowl ban for self-reporting violations. Proper now, this system is portray the NCAA’s draconian penalty as a motivator – with out a bowl recreation or championship to play for, Missouri will assault the common season even tougher. However what if Kelly Bryant’s popgun arm neuters Missouri’s aerial assault and the Tigers get ambushed a number of instances, like within the opener towards Wyoming? What if Missouri is 4-Four on November 9 heading to Georgia as a substitute of 8-0? Would the teaching employees elect for a youth motion at that time, realizing that they aren’t going to get the additional bowl practices utilized in half to hasten the event of the following crop of starters?

The Tigers ranked No. 86 in S&P+ offensive explosion final fall… with Drew Lock, Damarea Crockett and Emanuel Corridor. Bryant’s recreation is totally devoid of an explosive aspect, which grew to become all of the extra painfully clear after Trevor Lawrence changed him final 12 months and Clemson’s offense instantly grew to become high-octane (with Tee Higgins instantaneously turning into the participant he was billed as after 1.5 years of pedestrian play shackled to Bryant). With out the flexibility to emphasize defenses deep, Bryant goes to note an increasing number of defenders sneaking as much as attempt to clog issues up for he and Rountree within the zone-read recreation. If Missouri’s offense begins sputtering, all bets are off, even with the breezy schedule.

Vegas over/below win complete: 8

Prediction: PUSH

4. Tennessee Volunteers

2018 report: 5-7 (2-6)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: OT Trey Smith (6’5/337) – however with a billboard-sized caveat. A top-five total recruit, Smith is as versatile and fluid as water and comes geared up with lengthy arms. Smith was a difference-maker instantly as a real freshman with the Volunteers. However blood clots in his lungs delayed the beginning of his sophomore season, hindered his play after coming again, and have now as soon as once more flared as much as put his future unsure. Smith and the Vols stay publicly hopefully he’ll play this 12 months. We’ll see. If he’s proper, he’s a possible Spherical 1 expertise. If not, soccer might not be in Smith’s future.

The case for: Tennessee returns nearly everybody from final 12 months’s group that completed No. 48 S&P+ (regardless of a 5-7 end in HC Jeremy Pruitt’s first season). Among the many returning forged of characters: beginning QB Jarrett Guarantano, Ty Chandler and his top-two backups at RB, Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings, and Josh Palmer and their top-two backups at WR, beginning TE Dominick Wooden-Anderson, seven offensive linemen with beginning expertise, 4/6 of the LB two-deep and 6/Eight of the DB two-deep.

Solely the defensive position received gutted – however that unit stunk anyway. LB Darrell Taylor is the star of the protection, and the forged of characters round him this fall can be extra skilled and (assuredly) much less injured than they had been final 12 months. With 16 starters returning, Tennessee ranks No. 15 on Phil Steele’s expertise chart.

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And with 10 of these returning starters enjoying offense, Tennessee’s assault might be considerably higher. With these items in place, the Vols went to work this offseason rejiggering the play-calling braintrust. Pruitt employed Georgia OC Jim Chaney (who returns to Tennessee after a earlier OC run from 2009-2012) to the identical submit. Certain, Chaney isn’t any Lincoln Riley, however he’s a dependable veteran coach with a observe report of engineering environment friendly assaults.

Pruitt additionally added former USC OC Tee Martin because the passing recreation coordinator (and assistant head coach). UGA didn’t combat to maintain Chaney, and Martin was unceremoniously canned by the Trojans in December throughout Purge 4, Electrical Bugaloo: Clay Helton’s Job-Saving Bloodbath. However each had been astute buy-low alternatives.

Particularly Martin as a kind of right-hand man to each Pruitt and Chaney. The legendary former Vols quarterback – Martin led this system to the 1998 title – was thought-about one in every of CFB’s largest up-and-coming HC prospects and a high-level recruiter only some years in the past earlier than Clay Helton went to work de-mystifying the USC program and halting Martin’s trajectory up the teaching ladder.

It’s not exhausting to see Chaney and Martin determining how one can ramp up Tennessee’s offense. If the offense and protection are each improved – and they need to be – the Vols are going to be able to shock of us in Pruitt’s second 12 months. Tennessee has a cakewalk of a non-conference schedule and might be double-digit favorites in all 4 video games. In the event that they win all of them, Tennessee solely has to go 3-5 in SEC play to go over the Vegas complete.

The case towards: The non-con schedule is cake, however the SEC slate isn’t as forgiving. That dance card contains Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, Florida, South Carolina and Missouri. To succeed in seven wins to go over, Tennessee not solely has to beat each UAB and BYU to go 4-Zero within the non-con, however they’ll must win their two best SEC video games (Kentucky and Vanderbilt) AND THEN have to tug an upset towards at the least one of many seven groups on the dance card above. And have I discussed that Tennessee has to play 4 video games towards groups off a bye?

And positive, Tennessee returns a boatload of contributors. For example at OL, the place seven guys with beginning expertise are again. However a few of these gamers have by no means been distinction makers, regardless of the expertise. Right here’s what Pruitt stated just lately when requested concerning the OL: “These guys have performed a whole lot of ball, but it surely’s not been the kind of ball that we have to play. We’ve received to enhance there, clearly.”

I might completely see the Vols profitable eight video games – dropping the Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State and Florida video games and profitable the remaining. However that best-case situation would require developmental developments by the 16 returning starters and a fast transition course of for the brand new coaches (DC Derrick Ansley can also be new, and former DC Kevin Sherrer is now the ST coordinator). This can be a high-variance group with extra upside than meets the attention — but in addition a path to abject catastrophe that might put Pruitt on the new seat.

Vegas over/below win complete: 6.5

Prediction: OVER

South Carolina Gamecocks

2018 report: 7-6 (4-4)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: DL Javon Kinlaw (6’5/302) quietly had a Jerry Tillery-lite season final 12 months as a junior. He’s very disruptive, with a present for getting after the passer from the inside. Kinlaw could be very lengthy. Coupled along with his first-step explosion and stun weapons fingers, he’s on prime of you and dictating the interplay in a blink. Kinlaw must play with a little bit extra self-discipline and enhance his play stability. If he can, he’s getting into Spherical 1 in April. He’s a legit expertise who’s being slept on.

The case for: Final 12 months, South Carolina was superb in a number of key areas that result in wins, and the Gamecocks determine to stay sturdy in these areas in 2019: Passing offense, passing protection, creating explosive performs, and limiting explosive performs. The Gamecocks return 14 starters, seven on all sides of the ball.

Heading into Will Muschamp’s fourth 12 months, sufficient items are in place to probably prime final 12 months’s seven wins. The early a part of the schedule ought to facilitate a 2-Zero begin, and the remaining could be on how far Jake Bentley has come. If his play locks him into an NFL Draft slot within the spring, South Carolina’s offense can have saved proper on chugging with out Deebo Samuel. No assure of that occuring, however Bentley’s received the skillset to play higher than he has.

The protection is thrilling. DL Javon Kinlaw is one in every of my favourite 2020 NFL Draft preseason prospects. In a whole lot of methods, his profession and components of his recreation remind me of Jerry Tillery. Behind him resides a powerful LB corps led by TJ Brunson and Sherrod Greene. 5 of USC’s six losses final 12 months got here to groups ranked within the top-16 of the AP ballot.

Inefficiency and turnovers had been what did the Gamecocks in most of these instances, with USC ending minus-six turnovers in SEC play. If Bentley’s accuracy improves and he eliminates the head-slapping turnovers, Muschamp might begin to put a scare into the groups within the upper-echelon of the convention.

The case towards: The Gamecocks’ schedule is a nightmare. Phil Steele suppose it’s the toughest within the nation. S&P+ ranks it because the third-hardest within the nation. The Gamecocks ought to win their first two video games, they usually’ll be closely favored after they host Vandy in November.

In solely two of their different 9 video games does South Carolina have a preseason S&P+ win expectancy of 50% or extra (68% when internet hosting Kentucky in late September, 56% at Tennessee in late October). To make a bowl recreation, the Gamecocks have to win all 5 of these video games and in addition beat Appalachian State in November (49%).

The opposite half of the schedule contains Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M and Clemson. No supreme. Particularly when contemplating South Carolina’s Achilles heel’s in 2018: Working the ball, stopping the run, and offensive and defensive effectivity.

Dropping Deebo Samuel goes to result in much less explosive offensive performs, so if QB Jake Bentley doesn’t enhance his effectivity, the offense goes to regress. Maybe even considerably. South Carolina is desperately hoping for Bentley’s “Leap” season to reach in the end, and for Clemson exile RB Tavien Feaster to repair the dashing assault and make up for a number of of the explosive performs that left with Samuel. USC’s win complete of six appears conservative. In actuality, due to the schedule, the play might be both UNDER or PASS.

Vegas over/below win complete: 6

Prediction: PUSH

Kentucky Wildcats

2018 report: 10-3 (5-3)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: OG Logan Stenberg (6’5/322) is a giant road-grader. Stenberg was rated above-average in each run blocking and pass-pro by PFF final fall, however he returned to high school in hopes of creating a run up the board his senior 12 months ala former teammate Josh Allen. Stenberg advised reporters that he spent the offseason engaged on his approach. He might probably work his means into Day 2 with a powerful ultimate season.

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The case for: Certain, Kentucky misplaced two transcendent program abilities in RB Benny Snell and EDGE Josh Allen. No Kentucky preview can start with out mentioning these losses on the prime. However right here’s the factor: RB and LB had been two of UK’s deepest positions final 12 months. Whereas these teams gained’t be upgraded, they gained’t be decimated as is so usually the case when a standard non-power breaks via after which loses two of its greatest gamers of all-time. Kentucky can simply ask cross-state rival Louisville the way it appreciated changing Lamar Jackson and Jaire Alexander final 12 months.

Whereas Bobby Petrino’s ultimate Louisville groups had been a home of playing cards being held collectively by a small assortment of singular abilities, Kentucky’s ascendance feels concurrently less-sexy and extra sustainable. HC Mark Stoops has labored to construct a sustainable mannequin.

Successfully changing Snell and Allen would go a good distance in the direction of displaying he’s doing simply that. RB Asim Rose might be a star, and preserve a watch out for younger bowling ball Kavosiey Smoke (5’9/225). Kentucky’s offensive line might be legit, with Sternberg joined be returning former five-star LT Landon Younger, who missed final season with an ACL harm.

With solely eight returning starters within the always-vicious SEC, Stoops’ work is reduce out for him. But when QB Terry Wilson improves via the air in his second 12 months, that’s going to raise WR Lynn Bowden into the star territory he ought to maybe already be occupying. Wilson, Rose and the bodily OL ought to have the ability to stage some rock ‘em, sock ‘em clock-control spread-option punishment on choose opponents.

Whereas this Kentucky group doesn’t acquit itself because the form of squad constructed to upset higher-ranked groups, it does have the make-up of a squad that’s troublesome for inferior opponents to upset. And with 5 video games on the schedule with S&P+ win expectations of 81% or extra, Kentucky can be in vary of its Vegas win complete if it merely doesn’t undergo a demoralizing upset itself.

The case towards: Kentucky is returning solely eight starters. This program doesn’t recruit properly sufficient to take the form of physique photographs they took over the winter and never drop to at least one knee. Per Phil Steele’s expertise chart, Kentucky ranks simply No. 105. It’s not simply Snell and Allen leaving. Additionally out the door are OG Bunchy Stallings, safeties Mike Edwards and Darius West, and CBs Derrick Baity Jr. and Lonnie Johnson Jr.

The offense ought to have the ability to run, but it surely’s going to have points passing once more. Until Stoops is by some means capable of mitigate the anticipated monumental regression on protection, Kentucky might devolve from a 10-win group to a one-trick offense enjoying in entrance of a protection that may’t cease good offenses.

Enjoying S&P+’s No. 11 hardest schedule, Kentucky is in bother if Wilson doesn’t enhance considerably as a thrower or a number of new stars don’t emerge on protection. The Kentucky “UNDER” might be one of the best preseason wager to make within the SEC East. It is exhausting to discover a path to seven wins on this schedule with out making a number of logical leaps.

Vegas over/below win complete: 6

Prediction: UNDER

Vanderbilt Commodores

2018 report: 6-7 (3-5)

Greatest NFL Draft prospect: Ke’Shawn Vaughn (5’9/215) is stupidly explosive, and he’s very exhausting to sort out. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry final 12 months, with 2.62 of these yards coming earlier than contact and 5.28 coming after (not fairly David Montgomery territory, however shut). Vaughn completed No. Three within the SEC in compelled missed tackles per contact and had seven carries that went for 60 yards or extra (just one different SEC again had even 5 40-yard runs). Vaughn is a clumsy receiver and solely common in pass-pro. His inventory will spike if he can enhance in these two areas. However he’s nearly assuredly going Day 2 even when he doesn’t, as a result of explosion and tackle-breaking combos like this do not develop on bushes.

The case for: Between Ball State switch QB Riley Neal, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, WR Kalija Lipscomb and TE Jared Pinckney, Vanderbilt legitimately boasts 4 NFL prospects in marquee offensive positions. The latter three simply might all go on Day 2. The ability firepower on this group is top-25 within the nation, giving Vandy at the least a puncher’s likelihood towards each non-Georgia group on the schedule.

However there’s greater than prospect sizzle happening right here. HC Derek Mason, who was on shaky floor not so way back, is strolling on stabilized floor after reaching his second bowl recreation at Vanderbilt in 2018. The Dores might have misplaced to Baylor, however the offense placed on a present and charged the fanbase as much as get the band again collectively in 2019.

Moderately than seeing two bowl video games in three years as a flash within the pan (if two 6-7 seasons and one 5-7 season could be thought-about such), you may argue that Vanderbilt is on the precipice of taking the following aggressive leap as a program. Mason’s 17-21 report the previous three years is definitely one of the best three-year stretch at Vandy by any non-James Franklin coach because the 1970s. And the current historic precedent set by Franklin himself suggests there may be extra ceiling for Mason attain – Franklin went 24-15 in his ultimate three years earlier than leaving for Penn State.

The case towards: Vanderbilt’s schedule is brutal, its offensive line is decimated, its outdated dependable beginning QB Kyle Shurmur is gone, and Vandy misplaced six defensive starters, together with shutdown CB Joejuan Williams. The Commodores rank solely No. 107 on Phil Steele’s expertise chart. And S&P+ pegs Vanderbilt’s schedule because the 12th-hardest within the land.

The offensive line is especially regarding, returning solely two starters and dropping 97 profession begins. All of the offensive firepower is nice, but it surely’s exhausting to not undertaking Vandy getting manhandled within the trenches in September through the brutal Georgia-Purdue-LSU gauntlet to open the season. Even Opponent No. 4, Northern Illinois, is provided to present Vandy’s line matches.

Neal, Vaughn, Lipscomb and Pinckney will manufacture some offense both means, but it surely’s exhausting to see that quartet inflicting deadly injury towards an LSU-like protection working with this offensive line. Vandy’s defensive position isn’t a lot better – by the superior numbers, it was one of many Energy 5’s least efficient final 12 months. And because the protection as a complete is more likely to regress a bit, you may see why Las Vegas doesn’t like Vandy’s probabilities of attending to a 3rd bowl in 4 years. I hate to say it, however I don’t both.

Vegas over/below win complete: 5

Prediction: PUSH

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