Celebrating the start of fall practice this week, there’s no better time to begin our SEC game-by-game predictions series breaking down each and every contest during the regular season.

We pride ourselves on knowing college football’s most competitive conference as well as anyone and as one reader pointed out this summer using a weighted point system based on accuracy against other preseason prognosticators, our annual ‘Crystal Ball’ ranks among the nation’s most precise.

RELATED: 2015 preseason bowl projections | SDS’ best and worst 2014 predictions

We called a couple big-time upsets last fall including Mississippi’s win over Alabama, but whiffed on South Carolina’s abrupt fall from grace in the East along with Mizzou’s second consecutive division title.

We’re ready for another exciting season of SEC football, aren’t you?

2015 CRYSTAL BALL SERIES

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

2014 Crystal Ball Projection: 6-6, 2-6
2014 Actual: 3-9, 0-8

THE 2015 BATTLEFIELD

Sept. 3 vs. Western Kentucky (W): A fierce test in a Thursday night opener for the Commodores, Western Kentucky had the nation’s fourth-best offense last fall (536.9 YPG) and welcome back talented quarterback Brandon Doughty. Vanderbilt’s season, from the outset, could suffer a downward spiral with a setback here.

Sept. 12 vs. Georgia (L): Vanderbilt gets a rare opportunity in the spotlight to throw an early wrench in the Bulldogs’ division title plans between the hedges. Georgia’s won seven of the last eight in the series and Nick Chubb averaged nearly 10 yards per carry in last year’s matchup.

Sept. 19 vs. Austin Peay (W): By this time, the Commodores should have a handle on the quarterback situation and may have a big enough lead to play both Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck against the Governors.

Sept. 26 at Ole Miss (L): Darrius Sims gets loose on a kickoff return for Vanderbilt’s only points in Oxford.

Oct. 3 at Middle Tennessee (W): The Blue Raiders will play in a bowl game this fall, but this one’s a must-win for the Commodores and they’ll find a way.

Oct. 17 at South Carolina (L): Vanderbilt could’ve very well beaten the Gamecocks in Nashville last season, but winning at Williams-Brice is much more difficult — something the Commodores haven’t done since 2007 when Steve Spurrier’s team was ranked No. 6.

Oct. 24 vs. Missouri (L): Arguably the second-toughest home game of the year, by this point Vanderbilt will be playing spoiler — at 0-3 in the SEC — against a division rival.

Oct. 31 at Houston (L): The first matchup in a home-and-home series that won’t be completed until 2021, Vanderbilt beat the Cougars in the Compass Bowl two seasons ago but this time around will be considerably more difficult.

Nov. 7 at Florida (L): In one of the ugliest games of the year, Florida’s defense forces four turnovers to win in sloppy fashion.

Nov. 14 vs. Kentucky (L): It’s a toss-up at this point, but we’ll give the Wildcats the edge based on offensive personnel. If either team wants to get to a bowl game this fall, it’s a must-win.

Nov. 21 vs. Texas A&M (L): Vanderbilt doesn’t match up well with the Aggies’ speed on the outside and Texas A&M’s athletic front seven poses potential problems.

Nov. 28 at Tennessee (L): The Commodores will end their season on an seven-game losing streak, likely sealing Derek Mason’s fate after a second consecutive winless campaign in the SEC.

2015 PROJECTED FINISH: 3-9, 0-8; Seventh in the East

THE LOWDOWN: The outlook’s grim for the Commodores this fall as a team hoping to climb out of the SEC cellar. Until Vanderbilt establishes some consistency on offense, the Commodores will continue to struggle in college football’s toughest league and perhaps on the road during the non-conference portion.