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Vanderbilt Commodores (2000: 3-8)

The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.

Coach and program

The Commodores, after winning five games in 1999, fell off to three wins. They won only once in the conference, and that came against hapless Kentucky.

By the time the season-ending game against Tennessee rolled around, there were swirling rumors that Widenhofer was in trouble.

Widenhofer, entering his fifth season at Vandy, wound up surviving. But his rope is a short one. He met with Vanderbilt chancellor Gordon Gee and athletic director Todd Turner last November. The gist of that meeting was clearly defined: There needed to be marked improvement in every aspect of the Vanderbilt program if Widenhofer is going to see a sixth year.

What’s that mean?

The general feeling in Nashville is that Vanderbilt needs to make a bid for a winning season. And if the Commodores don’t get to six wins, they need to at least come very close.

To that end, Widenhofer implemented a three-part plan during the off-season. There was some talk that he might make some changes on his staff. While he did shuffle some things around, he didn’t fire anyone. But Widenhofer has vowed to take a more “hands-on’’ approach this season with his staff and players.

The second part of Widenhofer’s plan involves spreading out the special teams responsibilities to every member of the coaching staff. Bill Maskill handled those chores last season by himself.

The third part of Widenhofer’s plan centers around developing leadership among the players. He thought his team lacked leadership a year ago.

The Commodores return seven starters on each side of the ball. But the loss of Jared McGrath and Elliott Carson on offense and Jamie Winborn and Jimmy Williams on defense can’t be overlooked.

New playmakers need to emerge. And above all, Vanderbilt needs to do a better job of running the ball and stopping the run if it’s going to improve on last season’s 3-8 finish. The Commodores were last in the league in rushing offense (96.5 yards) and tied for last in rushing defense (178.3 yards).

Offense

Last season, Stricker finished third in the SEC and 18th nationally with 90.4 receiving yards per game.

Senior QB Greg Zolman (6-4, 208) is entering his fifth year in the program and coming off his most productive season. It’s the kind of stability at quarterback Vanderbilt hasn’t had much of over the years.

Zolman finished second only to Kentucky’s Jared Lorenzen in passing yards per game last season. Zolman averaged 221.9 yards and had 2,441 for the season, the most by a Vanderbilt quarterback since 1988.

A year ago, the Commodores were last in the league in rushing offense, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. McGrath was the main cog in the rushing attack, and he’s gone after moving to fourth on Vandy’s all-time rushing list.

Not far behind McGrath last season, though, was sophomore Ray Perkins (5-10, 191). McGrath had 527 yards and Perkins 425 yards. More notably, Perkins averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

“We always thought Perkins was going to be an impact player,’’ Widenhofer said.

The Commodores shuffled a few people around in the spring and came away with every line position settled except for the all-important left tackle spot. Redshirt freshman Justin Geisinger (6-4, 304) and sophomore Jordan Pettit (6-4, 284) waged a battle for a starting berth that will extend into fall camp.

Defense

Good defense always starts in the defensive line, and the Commodores aren’t loaded by any means in their three-man front. The first thing they must do is replace four-year starting nose tackle Ryan Aulds.

The best defensive lineman on the team is senior end Doyle Crosby (6-4, 302). He had 50 tackles, including two sacks last season.

For the first time during Widenhofer’s tenure at Vandy, he must replace two starting linebackers -- Matt Stewart outside and Winborn inside.

With Winborn giving up his final year of eligibility and being scooped up in the second round of the NFL draft, junior Mike Adam (6-3, 240) will get the first chance fill Winborn’s inside linebacker position.

Three starters are back in the secondary, but gone is left cornerback Williams. The team’s top cover man, Williams -- like Winborn -- didn’t have a great season last year.

Nonetheless, replacing him won’t be easy. Junior Aaron McWhorter (6-1, 192) is the player the Commodores are counting on. McWhorter was the nickel back last season and finished with 15 tackles.

Lance Garner (6-0, 175) of Kempner, Texas is the heir apparent to kicker John Markham, who departed as the Commodores’ all-time leading scorer. Markham, who made 14-of-18 field goals last season, was the second place-kicker taken in April’s NFL draft, going to the New York Giants in the fifth round.

Bottom line

Obviously, Widenhofer learned his lesson about making predictions after the 3-8 finish last season and will let his team’s play speak for itself.

Ultimately, these Commodores will need the type of defensive effort the fans in Nashville grew accustomed to during Widenhofer’s first few years if there’s any hope of a winning season. If not, even getting to five wins will be a stretch.