June 18, 2013

Vanderbilt Preview: Nothing to Lose

October 26, 2011 by

After nearly being caught napping at Oxford last Saturday, the 10th ranked Razorbacks travel to Nashville, Tennessee this week to take on the vastly improved Vanderbilt Commodores (4-3, 1-3).  The 11:21 kickoff will be televised by the SEC Network.

While sluggish starts have plagued the Razorbacks the last three games, their second half flurries have allowed them to dodge all three bullets.  The Hogs have outscored those opponents 64-10 in the second half, and caused a lot of angst among the faithful along the way.  How long can this trend continue?

Meanwhile Vanderbilt, led by first year head coach James Franklin, was enjoying their fourth win of the season, a 44-21 thumping of Army.  The Commodores rolled up 530 yards of total offense, as they held Army — the nation’s top rushing team — to just 270 yards on the ground.

The catalyst for Vandy’s recent surge seems to be tied to their new starting quarterback, Jordan Rodgers.  Up until recently, the redshirt junior had been known only for his famous brother — Green Bay Packers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

That changed a few weeks ago, when Rodgers nearly orchestrated a miracle finish against Georgia, a game the Bulldogs held on to win 33-28.  Despite only completing just 43.6 percent of his passes (34-for-78, 422 passing yards), Rodgers has made plays and kept drives alive with his legs.  He has 216 rushing yards on the season, third most on the team.

“He’s done a great job these last two weeks.  He brings that versatility of throwing and running the ball.  He’s going to keep on getting better and we’re just going to build on that.” — Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy

While Rodgers has shown flashes, the Commodore running game has been the backbone of this offense.  Junior Zac Stacy (579 yards, 5 TDs) and true freshman Jerron Seymour (315 total yards, 4 TDs) have been excellent.  Freshman wide receiver Chris Boyd (18.2 yards per catch, 4 TDs) has emerged as a big play threat.  Like his brother, Rodgers will take his share of shots down the field.

On defense, though, is where Franklin and Vanderbilt have really made strides.  The Commodores currently rank 23rd nationally in total defense (323.9 yards) — a huge improvement from 2010 (92nd nationally, 419.3 yards per game).

Senior middle linebacker Chris Marve (57 tackles, 5.5 TFL), senior cornerback Casey Heyward (28 tackles, 5 interceptions) and senior safety Sean Richardson (30 tackles) are All-SEC performers.

For Hog fans expecting the typical steamroller win over a hapless Vanderbilt team, think again.  The Hogs open as only a 10 1/2 point favorite.  James Franklin has them believing, and with a chance to make a bowl game for just the second time in the last 30 years, Vandy will be a tough out on the road.

The Commodores are 4-1 at home in 2011, and have absolutely nothing to lose versus the Razorbacks.  A dangerous combination.

Filed Under: Arkansas Razorbacks, Football Tagged With:
  • http://razorbloggers.net NewYorkHogFan

    I am worried about this game, really worried. Vanderbilt trounced Ole Miss and nearly beat Georgia. This team is a middle-of-the-pack SEC team this year. If the Hogs don’t start well, they are going to get beat.

    • Hawgfan100

      Given the examples provided by TAMU, auburn, and ole miss, I’m not convinced the Hogs will lose if they start poorly in Nashville. They may indeed be able to overcome such self-inflicted handicaps on Sat. and in future. I wish they’d be more sympathetic to my ever-escalating BP though, play in the manner they’re capable of, and dominate the teams they can and should dominate. ;^)

      If, for whatever reason, they don’t then I can always fall back on ‘Just Win Baby’.

  • GolfHog

    I love those titles to the posts, from “Chaos Reigns” to “Nothing to Lose”. Of course you saw a team that set aside chaos for two quarters Saturday morning. And, you really have to be impressed with what Franklin has done in Nashville is such a short time. They ate up Nutty’s offense cold. They won’t have that same luxury against Bobby.

    Watching all the angst from hog fans really reminds me of the late ’60s and what it was like following a top ten team week to week. You know you are suppose to win and you can imagine all the things that might lead to a loss. This team is laying a foundation. All those that follow will know what is expected. We’ll get used to it again.

  • marion L pickens

    THIS IS NOT A TRAP GAME !WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND WE NEED OUR A GAME GOING IN!! IF WE COME OUT STROKEING AND GET A LEAD WE CAN COME HOME 7-1.

  • Jim Dogg

    Shine: I find the headline “Nothing to Lose” odd since Vandy has 4 wins and every game is highly significant until they reach 6. However, if you were thinking that Vandy’s best chances for wins are it’s last four games then they may let it all hang out for this one (preparation-wise), then it makes sense to take chances. But overall, I would say that both teams would have something to lose in a loss. Vandy in a up hill battle for a bowl, Arkansas for a quality bowl. I think that Nutt may have done the Hogs a big favor by getting their attention.

  • http://www.therazorbackblogger.com/ GonzoHog

    I don’t see the Hogs getting off to the same slow start against Vandy they did against Ole Miss. I see them more mentally focused in this game, not only because they learned not to take anyone lightly, but because they know they have to get this issue corrected for the stretch run of their possible BCS bowl game run.

    We still have a heck of a lot to play for this season, but we have to fix these slow starts.

    If we’re still inconsistant going into the LSU game, regardless of possibly going undefeated until that time, we’ll more than likely get hammered in Baton Rouge, and that’s a fact!.