Checking in on the early-season temperatures in Nashville …

SCORCHING

Vanderbilt’s fanbase. It’s gotten so bad post-James Franklin that one longtime fan has already purchased the domain name for firederekmason.com (which leads to the Commodores’ official site at the moment). Social media chatter throughout the summer was largely positive in prep for Year 1 of a new era but the results, at least thus far, have been embarrassing as the Commodores have been outscored 78-10.

HOT

The seat beneath Derek Mason. Remember when Will Muschamp and Bret Bielema were considered among the SEC’s hot seat leaders? Mason’s the metal card-carrying member of that group now and hasn’t backed up the preseason talk he generated as a Eastern Division sleeper. Some of us drank the Kool-Aid and Anchored Down. Mistake. As of now, Mason looks better off as an assistant.

FROSTY

Defense was supposed to be Vanderbilt’s strength in Mason’s new 3-4 look, but the secondary — and pressure up front — has been a sore spot with a handful of new starters including four at the back end. Coverage was so poor during Saturday’s to Ole Miss that arguably quarterback Bo Wallace’s worst throw of the day went for a 20-yard touchdown to Cody Core. Wallace had nearly seven seconds on the play and heaved a wobbly pass to the 5. The Commodores were lost (despite six players in the area), Core turned after the catch and scored with ease. The play comes at 1:10 of our highlight video below:

FROZEN

Vanderbilt’s offense. No touchdowns in two games, eight turnovers and third-down hilarity. At this point, direct snapping the football to Ralph Webb is the Commodores’ best play. They’re guaranteed positive yardage and maybe a broken tackle or two. Quarterback play’s been horrendous and the offensive line’s given up a league-high five sacks. There’s no elite receiver either — like Jordan Matthews — to bail the guy under center out of bad situations.