2009 Vanderbilt Commodores Football Preview
2009 Vanderbilt Commodores season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Vanderbilt Commodores football preview as well as the 2009 Vanderbilt Commodores Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Bobby Johnson (8th year at Vanderbilt)
Team Name: Commodores
2008 Overall Record: 7-6
Returning Starters: 17
Last season, the Vanderbilt Commodores (7- 6 overall, 4- 4 SEC) did something they had not done since 1982. They went to a bowl game. In that bowl game, they did something they had not done since 1955. They won it, beating Boston College 16- 14 in the Music City Bowl. The Commodores finished the 2008 season tied for third in the SEC East. Can they repeat last year’s accomplishments? They may, but that won’t be easy in the tough SEC East.
The Commodores averaged just 19.1 PPG (105th nationally). The coaching staff has instituted a no-huddle offense with the hope that it will generate more points. The question is who will run that offense? It could be either sophomore Larry Smith (34 ATT, 19 COMP, 167 YDs, 1 INT, 1 TD) or senior Mackenzi Adams (156 ATT, 77 COMP, 882 YDs, 8 INTs, 5 TDs). Both possess the necessary skills but Smith has the added plus that he performed ably under a similar scheme in high school. The receiving corps lost two starters to graduation and another to a torn ACL. Junior UConn transfer Terence Jeffers looks to be the new go-to guy. Sophomore tight end Brandon Barden (28 REC, 209 YDs, 4 TDs) also offers good hands. Senior Jared Hawkins (139 ATT, 593 YDs, 4 TDs) will be the primary running back. The offensive line returns all starters, which should be a big help.
The defense, which allowed just 19.6 PPG (21st nationally), was especially stingy when it came to the passing game, allowing only 174.9 YPG (15th nationally). Senior corner Myron Lewis (76 TKLs, 5 SKs, 2 TFL, 5 INTs) is an all-around athlete, exploiting opponent’s mistakes. Strong safety Ryan Hamilton (104 TKLs, 1 SK, 3.5 TFL, 4 INTs), another senior, is a fine playmaker. Inexperienced sophomores will start at the other corner and safety spots. The linebackers are prime on this club. Senior WLB Patrick Benoist (109 TKLs, 2 SKs, 4.5 TFL) leads the unit, while sophomore MLB Chris Marve (105 TKLs, 3 SKs, 3.5 TFL) is an up-and-coming force. The front four, who all started last season, are quite sound.
On special teams, the Commodores welcome back senior punter Brett Upson, the MVP of last year’s Music City Bowl. He’s a seasoned vet. Inexperience will be the word when it comes to placekicking as Vanderbilt attempts to replace clutch kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt. Freshman Ryan Fowler will get nod. The Commodores also must replace 11th nationally ranked return specialist D.J. Moore.
Vandy head coach Bobby Johnson (27- 56 in seven season with Vanderbilt) brings in a small freshman class, but he does have plenty of talent returning. Last year, the club ripped off five straight wins at the start of the season before losing five in a row. On September 5, they open at home versus Western Carolina. That should be a win. Then they face a big test on the road against LSU. A win there would be massive. Georgia Tech on October 31 is an important non-conference test. The November 14 game versus Kentucky could make or break the season. With a tougher schedule than they saw in 2008, expect the Commodores to finish in fifth place. If they do receive a bowl invite, it will be to a low tier contest.
Vanderbilt Commodores Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Vanderbilt | Western Carolina | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Vanderbilt | LSU | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Vanderbilt | Mississippi St. | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Vanderbilt | Rice | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Vanderbilt | Mississippi | home | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Vanderbilt | Army | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Vanderbilt | Georgia | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Vanderbilt | South Carolina | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Vanderbilt | Georgia Tech | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Vanderbilt | Florida | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Vanderbilt | Kentucky | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Vanderbilt | Tennessee | away |
For more info on the 2009 Vanderbilt Commodores football program, view the Commodores official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
