A season ago, Vanderbilt finished 2-10 and 0-8 in SEC play — losing the conference games by an average of 20.3 points. Its closest result was a 31-15 defeat to Auburn.
There was no earthly reason to believe Vanderbilt football would be anything other than what Vanderbilt football has always — or most always — been. Non-competitive.
Yet last offseason, coach Clark Lea brought in 43 new players, either from high school recruiting or the transfer portal.
On Saturday, the Commodores improved to 3-2 on the season via a 40-35 upset of No. 1 ranked Alabama.
It was fueled not just by the blood and guts quarterback Diego Pavia (a transfer from New Mexico State) who threw for 252 and two touchdowns and rushed for 57 additional yards. He was playing behind three offensive line newcomers — Steven Losoya (Mississippi State), Steven Hubbard (UTEP) and Chase Mitchell (Liberty) — who joined returning senior starters Gunnar Hansen and Delfin Xavier Castillo to dominate the Crimson Tide.
Vandy outgained Alabama (418-394) and out-rushed Alabama (166-84). It also converted 12 of 18 third downs and went one-for-one on fourth. It controlled the time of possession (42:08-17:52). It ran 75 plays to the Tide’s 45.
On Saturday at least, Vanderbilt was just better.
This was a new team in a new time for college football. Much has been made about the expanded, 12-team playoff creating fresh paths to the postseason for more teams, but also allowing powerhouses such as Alabama more chances to stumble. Not every loss is disabling (not that it ever really was for teams like ‘Bama).
The bigger development is that they need to be able to withstand those losses, because it appears there will be more of them.
College football — or at least college football in the SEC — hasn’t yet reached the NFL’s “Any Given Sunday” ethos of parity, but…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/surprised-by-vandy-upsetting-alabama-dont-be-184618709.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-10-07 18:46:18
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