How Vanderbilt football once again failed to shape its future

HONOLULU, HI - AUGUST 27: Mike Wright #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores is congratulated by Justin Ball #84 of the Vanderbilt Commodores after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Clarance T.C. Ching Athletic Complex on August 27, 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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Another year, another unpleasant season for Vanderbilt football. The Commodores went 5-7 in 2022, a performance that kept them out of the bowl season (a fact that should leave no one surprised). But, while the run was objectively mediocre, Vanderbilt’s recent standards still left some silver lining to be taken from it.

To most teams, finishing a season with only five wins would be embarrassing, so much so that they would probably wish to learn/bounce back from it as soon as possible. However, the Commodores should do the exact opposite.

This year was Vandy’s first with that many wins since 2018, and it ties for 2nd-most in a season since 2013. That alone is more than enough to make Commodores everywhere turn their heads, but what puts things over the top is the quality of the wins obtained.

In its season opener, Vanderbilt demolished Hawaii 63-10 on the road. While the Rainbow Warriors were far from great this year, that was nonetheless Vandy’s most convincing win since 2012 (58-0 over Presbyterian). The Commodores coming out of the gate on such an explosive note certainly got folks hyped, but the way they finished the season was even better.

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