SEC Football: Predicting Over/Under for Each SEC Team’s Win Total for 2015

Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and linebacker Nigel Bowden (52) celebrate after sacking Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs (11) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt had an uncharacteristic three-year run of success come to an abrupt halt in 2014. After James Franklin left Nashville for Penn State, first-year head coach Derek Mason took over and led the Commodores to a 3-9 mark.

Related: Vanderbilt Season Preview and Prediction

Last season, Vanderbilt struggled in every facet, but especially on offense as the Commodores ranked last in the SEC in scoring offense (17.2 points per game), rushing offense (109.3 yards per game) and total offense (288.3 yards per game). Vandy ranked No. 13 out of 14 SEC schools in passing offense (179.1 yards per game). A major issue was inconsistency at the quarterback position – four different players started under center last season.

Looking ahead to 2015, there are a few reasons to be optimistic. Mason should be more at ease in his second season as a college head coach – even if he hired himself to coordinate the defense – and hopefully he and new offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig will put their faith in one quarterback and stick with him. A total of 17 starters return from last season’s squad, and coupled with 17 incoming freshmen and two JUCO transfers, the Commodores are a more experienced and talented team than they were a year ago.

Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t set up very well. In addition to a brutal SEC slate in which the Commodores are likely to be underdogs in all eight games, Vandy hosts a good Western Kentucky squad and oddly plays two Group of Five opponents on the road (Middle Tennessee and Houston).

Though the team should be better, and they could certainly pull an upset or two, the only guaranteed win is Austin Peay. Therefore, it would be smart to take the under.

Vanderbilt Over/Under 3 Wins in 2015: Under

Next: Kentucky