Alabama Opens SEC Slate against Resurgent Vanderbilt
The #2 Crimson Tide welcome Clark Lea and the Commodores to Bryant-Denney.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Will Anderson celebrates a pick six against ULM last weekend. Photo via Vasha Hunt, AP Photo.
During SEC Media Days back in July, second-year Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea made headlines with a bold prediction about the future of the Commodore program. He stated that in time, Vanderbilt football, traditionally the doormat of the powerful SEC, would be the best program in the country. Well Coach, you will get the chance on Saturday night to see how you stack up against the program that is widely considered to be the standard in college football. You want to be the king? First, you must knock off the king and Vanderbilt will get their shot as the ‘Dores take on the 2nd ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
After a brutal 2-10 campaign last season, Lea’s Commodores are off to an impressive, and surprising, 3-1 start. Victories over Hawaii, Elon, and Northern Illinois have produced optimism and excitement around the program, and their lone loss, a 45-24 decision to 21st ranked Wake Forest, was respectable. Finishing last in almost every offensive category has become the norm in Nashville, however this season’s unit has been impressive against non-SEC competition. The unit is averaging 436 yards and 42 points per game, a far cry from averaging 15.8 points a game in 2021. Leading the offense are two quarterbacks, junior Mike Wright, who is completing 60% of his passes with 6 touchdowns to 1 interception. Wright is also the team’s second leading rusher, with 4 touchdowns on the ground and an average of 8.3 yards per carry. During the second half of the Wake loss, Lea pulled Wright in favor of freshman A.J. Swan who promptly threw 2 touchdown passes. The freshman signal caller has been impressive in his limited gametime, completing 63% of his passes for 6 touchdowns to no interceptions.
Senior Re’Mahn Davis leads the way on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns. Junior Will Sheppard is the ‘Dores leading receiver, hauling in 23 passes for an average of 7 yards per catch. Former Tide placekicker Joseph Bulovas is 2 for 2 on the season with a long of 35 yards. Defensively, Vanderbilt’s unit has not been as productive as the offense, giving up 414 yards and 28.5 points per game. Vandy’s leading tackler, and best defensive player, is senior linebacker Anfernee Orji, who has recorded 39 total tackles so far this season.
The Tide enters Saturday’s tilt with the Commodores unbeaten at 3-0 and will look to make strides in several areas as they prepare to enter a challenging three game SEC stretch against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Tennessee, who are all ranked in the top 25. Offensively, the Tide has been inconsistent and are looking to have a smooth outing against Vandy. Quarterback Bryce Young is coming off a three touchdown, two interception performance against Louisiana Monroe, and the Tide passing attack has yet to establish a deep threat. Young is still off to a good start, completing 68% of his passes for 9 touchdowns and 2 picks. His top receivers so far have been Traeshon Holden, who has caught 3 touchdown passes and averages 14.1 yards per catch and tailback Jahmyr Gibbs, who has proven to be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield averaging 10.3 yards per catch. Tide fans are still waiting for Ja’Corey Brooks, Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton, and tight end Cameron Latu to emerge as difference makers in the passing game. Bama’s stable of running backs averages 237 yards per game on the ground and is led by junior Jase McClellan. Fellow ball carriers Gibbs, Roydell Williams, and Trey Sanders, as well as quarterback Young, have proven to be dangerous in the open field.
The Bama offensive line had a solid outing against ULM and will look to keep Young’s pocket clean against an overmatched Commodore defensive front. Senior placekicker Will Reichard is having another terrific season, hitting on all four of his attempts with a long of 52 yards. An area that needs improvement is 3rd down percentage, where Bama is converting only 38.7% of their attempts. Defensively, the Tide is off to a strong start. The unit is led by linebackers Will Anderson, Dallas Turner, and Henry To'oto'o and an experienced secondary that is playing well. The Bama D is giving up 225 yards per game and a mere 8.7 points per game. The only concern outside of too many penalties against Texas two weeks back is the fact that the defense is not causing a lot of turnovers yet (just one so far).
Vanderbilt’s last victory over Alabama was in 1984, a 30-21 decision during Ray Perkins’ infamous 5-6 campaign. Do not look for a repeat, for as improved as Vanderbilt is this season, there is not a single place on the field where they match up well against the Tide. It will be interesting to see how Lea uses quarterbacks Swann and Wright throughout the contest. The Commodore offense will test the stout Bama defense and may even break through with a few scoring drives. Look for Alabama to get their receivers more involved and work the downfield passing game and the inside running game to wear down a Commodore defense that has been susceptible, especially to the pass. Much like last week against ULM, the Tide will start strong and put this one away early, resting the starters in preparation to next week’s visit to Arkansas. Vanderbilt will score, yet not nearly enough to claim the status of king of the college football world quite yet.
ALABAMA 57
VANDERBILT 10