Better/Worse in 2016: Vanderbilt pass defense
Vanderbilt’s defense carried the team for much of last season until it wore down at the end and got pushed around the final few weeks in bad losses to Texas A&M and Tennessee. And though there’s plenty of hope that the offense improves in 2016, the defense likely will determine if Vandy can win enough to get bowl eligible.
Here’s how they did a year ago and what to look forward to this season:
2015 STATS
Passing yards allowed per game (SEC rank): 207.3 (7th)
Touchdown passes allowed: 10 (tied for fewest)
Most yards allowed, opponent: 336, Texas A&M
300-yard passers allowed: 2 (Chad Kelly, Ole Miss; Kyle Allen, Texas A&M)
PASS RUSH
SACK ARTIST
Zach Cunningham is a flat-out stud and he led Vandy in sacks last year with 4.5. He did it all, leading the team in total tackles (103) and tackles for loss (16.5). Expect more of the same this year. He’s good enough to enter the NFL Draft a year early if he chooses.
BALL IN THE AIR
Tre Herndon and Torren McGaster (pictured) at the corners are both back, and coming off solid seasons as cover corners. Taking the next step will be good to see this year. Oren Burks and Emmanuel Smith are solid safeties and there’s plenty of depth at that position as well, so there should be plenty of rotating.
PICKOFF ARTIST
Oren Burks led the team with three interceptions a year ago, which isn’t a lot but it’s a bunch when you consider that Vanderbilt had only six interceptions as a team a year ago. He’s a top-level safety but in 2016 you might see Herndon and McCaster get more active as thieves.
GREATEST CONCERN
Vandy had to rely far too much on its defense last year to win games and with a 4-8 record, even that’s clear that it wasn’t enough. In the third year of the Derek Mason era, contending for a bowl bid is the next logical step and this defense will have to step up once again. Cunningham is a stud, the corners can play and there’s better depth up front. Now they need to deliver, especially early with winnable games against South Carolina, Middle Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Western Kentucky.
ONE STAT THAT MUST CHANGE IN 2016
For a team that’s going to need to rely on turnovers to flip field position, it’s imperative that Vanderbilt comes up with more than six interceptions. That total was dead last in the SEC a year ago and tied for 110th out of 128 teams in the country. A better pass rush might help force some bad throws, but the secondary needs to be better at making steals.
BETTER/WORSE IN 2016?
The Commodores should be better because they’ve got plenty of depth returning and they’ve got top-flight stars and plenty of positions throughout the defense. The key to better pass defense is getting a better rush and putting more pressure on quarterbacks. This defense is legitimately good, and it should be even better in 2016.