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

Depth became an issue for the Commodores last year, late in the season especially. Based on Vandy’s depth chart, there’s talent returning and some newcomers who should help a lot as well to make this unit better.
Jonathan Wynn and Adam Butler at defensive ends and Jay Woods and Nifae Lealao at defensive tackles have plenty of game time. They will rotate a lot with Torey Agee, Darion DeBrossard, Dare Odeyingbo, Drew Birchmeier, Cameron Tidd, and Josiah Sa’o and the depth will help, as will the competition for playing time in the fall.
The inside linebackers, Zach Cunningham (pictured) and Nigel Bowden, are very active. Caleb Peart and Landon Stokes play on the outside and Josh Smith is more of a cover outside linebacker who will help in the passing game.
Nov 14, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Charles Walker (88) os tackled by Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

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.

Nov 14, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores cornerback Torren McGaster (5) blocks a touchdown pass that is intercepted by teammate Commodores safety Oren Burks (20) (not pictured) that was intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Dorian Baker (2) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

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.