SEC East Team Previews: How your team heads to SEC Championship Game

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores

It is hard to imagine it getting worse for Vanderbilt than the 2014 season. They went 3-9, including a game they almost lost to UMASS. It was really bad for Head Coach Derek Mason’s squad.

Under former coach James Franklin, Vanderbilt went 9-4 the previous two seasons. Mason does benefit from having almost all his starters returning for the upcoming season. However, it does beg the question whether that is necessarily a benefit on a team with so few wins.

The Nashville faithful hope it will contribute to a better year. Honestly, it should but the question becomes how much the Commodores are able to improve.

Book a trip to Atlanta: Similar to Kentucky, Vanderbilt is not at the level of challenging for the division. The goal should be to go at least .500 and become bowl eligible. The bigger question remains whether James Franklin was the only coach capable of building a successful program at Vanderbilt.

Mason certainly seemed like a good hire and it helps the entire conference when teams like Kentucky and Vanderbilt are competitive. However, if they are only slightly improved from last season do not be surprised just by virtue of finding themselves in one of the most challenging conferences in college football.

Next: South Carolina