The Awful Truth

Vanderbilt (’98: 2-9, 1-7 SEC)

The Plot

Vanderbilt is only 178 miles away from the University of Tennessee, but the two schools are light years apart when it comes to college football. The Vols have 19 losses in the '90s, the Commodores have 17 in the past two seasons. These days, Vandy isn't even able to hang its hat on a solid defense, going from the SEC's best in 1997 to its worst a season ago. VU allowed 33.5 points a game, while the offense scored just 66 points in SEC play all season. Expect a sequel in '99.

The Director

Woody Widenhofer -- third season, 5-17; 17-48-1 overall

Starring

LB Jamie Winborn -- One of the lone bright spots on a surprisingly poor defense. Winborn led the SEC in tackles with 116 as only a redshirt freshman.

Co-Starring

CB Jimmy Williams -- Williams provides much-needed athleticism to the Vandy defensive backfield. The former tailback led the team with four picks last season and is a kick-return threat.
K John Markham -- He averaged a team-leading 4.7 points per game last season. Then again, eight players on the Vandy basketball team averaged more than five points a game.

And introducing

Real grass and a new logo -- It's out with the old as the artificial turf at Vanderbilt Stadium is ripped up and replaced with grass -- the last SEC stadium to do so. The new sod will be enhanced by a more menacing-looking logo at midfield. Chances are, though, it won't mean a thing in the win column.

Why it will work

It won't, unless you consider three wins a success. Vandy has an outside shot at that, with games against Northern Illinois, The Citadel, Duke and South Carolina.

Why it won't

Poor Vandy. Road trips to Florida and Tennessee in November. That's cruel and unusual punishment.

Our critics' review

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