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Many words have been used to describe the Vanderbilt football program over the least two decades: cellar dweller, perennial loser, easy win. The list goes on and on, but will this be the season that changes all of that? Many people think so.

Vanderbilt is the smallest of the schools in the SEC, a private institution located in Nashville and recently listed among the 20 best colleges and universities in the nation. The school received nationwide publicity - and quite a few smirks from fellow SEC institutions - when it recently did away with its athletic department. Instead of worrying about the high powered politics of a college athletic department, Vanderbilt announced instead that it would do the unthinkable: focus on student athletes and education.

Despite the smirks and snickers at the time, a strange thing has happened. Vanderbilt's athletic teams have become more competitive. The school's basketball team was the first SEC team to knock off eventual national champion Florida last year and surprised many by making it to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA National Tournament. Vanderbilt's baseball team was ranked number one in the nation for much of the 2007 season, eventually winning both the outright SEC title and the SEC tournament title as well. Could football be next?

Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson has slowly been building a competitive program in Nashville. The Commodores have won nine games in the last two years, more than in the three previous seasons. They have pulled off dramatic upsets against powerhouse SEC foes like Tennessee (in Knoxville), Arkansas (in Fayetteville) and Georgia. They lost to the National Champion Florida Gators by a single touchdown in 2006 and to two other SEC teams by a combined 6 points.

The 2007 season begins with the dream of a post season bowl. If they make it, it would be the first for Vanderbilt in 25 years. And many of the nation's leading sports authorities think it is more than possible. Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson, in just his first year as a starter, rolled up staggering yardage both on the ground and in the air in 2006. With a full year of experience under his belt and an off season of practice, there is every reason to believe he will be even better. The team's two top running backs are both healthy and will be on the field September 1st at full-speed for the first time since coming to Vanderbilt. The Commodores return seventeen starters from last year's much improved team and have a big, seasoned offensive line for the first time in years.

Last but definitely not least, there is Earl Bennett. A second team pre-season All American, Bennett is poised to shatter the all-time SEC record for receptions before this year is out. Considering he is a junior playing in the toughest conference in the nation, that is an amazing accomplishment. With an improved running game and the naturally improved accuracy of a second-year quarterback, Bennett should have a phenomenal season.

Finally, Vanderbilt plays eight games at home this year.

The 25 year long bowl drought is over and another winning SEC program is about to make the record books.

Learn more about this author, Dale Cox.
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