James Franklin can now be dubbed the gambler because of his three fourth-down tries that led to 14 points. I’m really starting to like this guy and the way he coaches.

I think Vanderbilt can win a couple different teams they should not this year in the SEC East. Here are three reasons why:

1. Franklin’s specialty is offense. He has added new wrinkles in the offense this year. The Wildcat is alive and well, and even preseason all-SEC corner Casey Hayward got into the offensive act, taking a handoff from running back Zac Stacy for 23 yards and almost a touchdown. Franklin wants to get the ball into the hands of playmakers, and Hayward is probably the best athlete on the team. There is energy on offense and guys flying around and playing fast. Franklin understands what he has to do to win football games, and that includes giving the ball to the playmakers.

2. Larry Smith is improving. Smith looked very ineffective last year, partly because of his own play, but more due to his atrocious offensive line. Smith had 10 total touchdowns last year (six passing), so, he is well on his way to at least getting to those numbers rather quickly. Franklin’s presence has given Smith more confidence, and he eluded pressure rather well. He is going to get better, because he can only get better from a year ago. I like where he is headed right now.

3. The defensive secondary will create some turnovers. Casey Hayward is one of the best defensive backs in the conference this season, and he picked off one pass against Elon. Also, fellow corner Trey Wilson intercepted a pass. Safety Sean Richardson will make plays in the secondary as well throughout this season. The defensive secondary is a strength for this team, and this unit will create some timely turnovers for the Commodores in 2011.

Now, can Vanderbilt put up these kinds of numbers in SEC play? It is very unlikely; however, there is life within the program, and people are buzzing about James Franklin. He is an offensive innovator, and the only way Vanderbilt will win in the SEC is to be coached by a good offensive mindset. And James Franklin could be that guy.

I like the direction of this program and where it is headed right now. I think Vanderbilt could surprise a couple teams this season.

It’s pretty simple really – teams that don’t have a running game are at a huge disadvantage. Sure, teams will win a couple with a high-powered passing offense, but a balanced offense wins more games than non-balanced. You know this already.

Obviously there are more factors than just the running backs that make up the total running game, like the play of the offensive line, quarterback, etc. Still, the play of the running backs is crucial to a team’s success.

The SEC East might have the best running back in Marcus Lattimore, but as a whole, the West has the upper hand compared to the East.

Here is an outlook of each of teams from the SEC East’s running game as we know it:

Good Outlook

Florida Gators – The Gators have more of a speedy one-two punch with Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey at running back. However, the best running back on this Gator team could be Mike Gillislee because of his size and speed combination. With the Gators transitioning over to a pro-style offense, there are concerns about the lack of size for both Rainey and Demps running between the tackles, and questions about how their game will translate to the different offense. Rainey did run the I-formation in high school, so he could have a great opportunity to return to greatness in this offense. Florida does have talent at the offensive line positions, but the depth is a concern if anyone goes down with an injury. Overall, the Gators have a positive outlook in the running game. It’s the passing game I’d be worried about.

South Carolina – The Gamecocks feature arguably the best running back in the league in Marcus Lattimore, but in addition to a dynamic running back, the offensive line has really come around as well. There is a better than good possibility Lattimore will rush for more than 1,000 yards again this season, and I believe running the football will be the biggest factor of their success on offense again. While there are concerns about the overall weight of every player along the offensive line (a little light), I expect the line to be adequate enough to excel Lattimore to have another great season. Behind Lattimore, Kenny Miles and Eric Baker will provide good depth. Spurrier is known for his passing offense, but he will lean heavily on his horse – Marcus Lattimore.

Tennessee Volunteers – Tauren Poole rushed for 1,000 yards last season, and he has a chance to be only the second Vol ever to rush for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. Even though Poole had a great year, the Vols’ running game was dead last in the SEC. This year, I expect it to be much improved with more experience, talent and depth along the offensive line than a year ago. Rajion Neal also broke out this spring and looks to be a solid backup for Tauren Poole. This running game will be nice changeup to the passing offense.

Questionable Outlook

Georgia Bulldogs – With Washaun Ealey’s transfer and Caleb King being ineligible this season, the Georgia Bulldogs will rely on incoming true freshman Isaiah Crowell to carry the load in the running game. Along with Crowell, Georgia moved Richard Samuel back to running back from his middle linebacker position to provide depth. Samuel entered Athens as a running back but changed position two years ago. Now, he is back. Carlton Thomas also will be factored into the mix in the depth chart. There are questions for me at offensive line for Georgia with the injury to Trinton Sturdivant and their resulting patch-work offensive line. Cordy Glenn is good and so is Ben Jones. However, there is just too much inexperience at both the running back position and offensive line to make me think this running game has a good outlook for 2011. There is a ton of upside, though.

Kentucky Wildcats – Former running back Derrick Locke is now gone, and without Locke, the running game could have a drop off this year. Raymond Sanders had a good spring, and he looks good enough to provide a spark at the position. There are also several other guys vying for playing time in Brandon Gainer, Marcus Caffey and Josh Clemons behind Sanders. The obvious strong point to me about Kentucky is their offensive line with four returning starters. Joker Phillips will put this running game on the shoulders of his line, and the Wildcats could surprise some people this year. There are too many questions for me though at running back for this running game to carry the load.

Vanderbilt Commodores – The Commodores have three pretty good running backs in Warren Norman, Zac Stacey and Wesley Tate. I love the way Norman plays football, and he will be a leader on this team. Vanderbilt is excited for their cast of running backs, but what they are cautious about is their offensive line. The depth at line does return, but the talent level might not be good enough to bust a grape. If the Dores can put a patch-work offensive line together somehow and block for the three tailbacks, they have a chance to be okay this year. However, right now, there are some big questions in the running game.

Saturday Down South will be counting down the SEC East predictions from No. 6 to No. 1. Obviously preseason predictions are based on pure speculation, and no one knows how crazy the SEC football season will turn out to be! Here are the SEC East predictions, starting with No. 6.

No. 6: Vanderbilt Commodores

2010 Record: 2-10 overall, 1-7 in conference

2011 Prediction: 3-9 overall, 0-8 in conference

New head coach James Franklin takes center stage in Nashville as the leader of the Commodores. He has shown just in the past several months that he can be an adequate player’s coach, and most predict he will not be at Vanderbilt long before a better program snatches him up. The kids within the program already love him and are following his leadership.

However, coming off a disastrous 2-10 record in 2010, Franklin can do nothing but better. I do predict the Commodores to have a better season in 2011 simply because they will have more defined and better leadership atop of their program.

For Vanderbilt, as we all know, it is particularly hard to compete in the SEC. Prospects who attend Vanderbilt have to pass a rigorous academic schedule before they can ever set foot on the gridiron, and Vanderbilt certainly is no country club in the classroom.

The Dores will have to lean on their running backs Warren Norman and Zac Stacey to provide stability and leadership. Warren will have to be dynamic in the running game and the return game and a shoulder the Commodores can really lean on when they need a playmaker. Quarterback Larry Smith will also have to play well for the Dores to make any impact in the SEC. I’m just not convinced Larry is the quarterback for this football team. I have been wrong many times before, though.

Another position Vanderbilt has to improve upon if 2011 is better than 2010 is along the offensive line. In 2010, the Dores offensive line couldn’t bust a grape in SEC play, and that has to improve.

Defensively, however, Vanderbilt has two really strong players. Linebacker and returning defensive leader Chris Marve and defensive back Casey Hayward will have to take this defense to another level.

The three wins I predict for Vanderbilt this coming season will be against Elon, Army and Wake Forest. While it’s not a bowl-caliber season, the Dores can rest assured they are in good hands for the future with Franklin and company.

For 2011, it could be the same ole Vanderbilt, but I fully expect Franklin to help turn this thing around rather quickly. Don’t get me wrong, Vanderbilt will never be a power program, but they can be bowl eligible every year.

I do have a feeling the Dores will beat someone they are not supposed to beat this year, and it could be one of the big boys.

Vanderbilt Offense

Quarterback Larry Smith, who has struggled this season getting anything going through the air, didn’t struggle in this one. Smith threw for 253 and two touchdowns. Smith also ran for a score in the first quarter.

During that aforementioned huge second quarter, Vanderbilt scored three touchdowns and kicked a field goal. Running back Warren Norman had an 18-yard rushing touchdown, and Larry Smith had two passing touchdowns – one to Udon Umoh for 65 yards and one to Mason Johnson for one yard.

Vanderbilt finished with 558 yards of total offense and really just dominated the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball. Warren Norman finished with two rushing touchdowns, and Zac Stacey also added another one on the ground for the ‘Dores.

Vanderbilt Defense

Defensively, Vanderbilt held the Eagles to 209 total yards and did not allow a touchdown. Early on, the Eagles were trying everything in the book to get something going, but Vanderbilt’s defense held their ground and did not give up a big play. Vanderbilt played well defensively all night. This should give them a little confidence going into next week.

Even though it was a terrible team in Eastern Michigan, Vanderbilt got a shot of confidence going into next week when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.