The Vanderbilt Commodores won’t lose this week. The Commodores (2-5) enter their first bye week, which is long overdue for the struggling program.

The 2014 season has been a nightmare for Vanderbilt. The Commodores only two wins– Massachusetts and Charleston Southern– came in close games against what should have been favorable matchups. Instead, Vanderbilt did all it could to hand over each game, with its opponents refusing to accept the gift.

The Commodores have also struggled in conference games. With losses to Ole Miss, South Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia, Vanderbilt has been outscored 150-61 in SEC matchups.

Vanderbilt saw its most successful run in the modern era under former head coach James Franklin. The Commodores made three bowl games and enjoyed back-to-back nine-win seasons. However, with the departures of all-time leading receiver Jordan Matthews, quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels and several other key players, Vanderbilt is looking more like the team Franklin inherited, rather than the winning program he left for Penn State this offseason.

The Commodores have a young nucleus of players, but lack the depth to compete against a top SEC schedule. Outside of tailback Ralph Webb, wide receiver C.J. Duncan and linebacker Nigel Bowden, Vanderbilt has failed to see consistent play at most positions.

The quarterback carousel is the most glaring problem facing the Commodores’ roster. Vanderbilt has made nine different quarterback changes, with all four quarterbacks making multiple appearances throughout the season. With Patton Robinette, Wade Freebeck and Stephen Rivers all facing injuries, the Commodores’ bye week couldn’t come at a better time.

Head coach Derek Mason will have an extra week to reevaluate his team before a Week 9 matchup at Missouri. Vanderbilt has a chance to use its off week as an opportunity for resurgence and healing after facing a tumultuous season. Its not to say the Commodores will make a huge improvement, but the bye week is beneficial for the struggling program.