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After looking at the schedule in more depth, I am more optimistic about this season when it come to the schedule and the chances of this team making it to post-season play. Clark Lea said the margin is razor thin and I would not disagree with him. The SEC East does not look as intimidating as it has in years past. Yes, Georgia will most likely be a blowout, and as much as I hate to admit it, UT will probably be really good again. I think Ole Miss and Wake Forest will be games that we probably don't win but it is not out of the question. That leaves eight games that I believe we have the ability to compete and possibly win. Even if we drop one or two of those games that still makes us bowl eligible. I think Clark's goal of post season play is a good goal, and while I agree about the margin, I am more optimistic that we are playing in a post season bowl when we conclude the season. I am excited about seeing where this team is in year 3 of CCL's tenure. Looking forward to kicking off against Hawaii on August 26th. How optimistic are you about the schedule? Do you see Vandy going to a bowl game at the end of the year?

No question, the schedule is easier this year (no Alabama game in Tuscaloosa, for starters). But the main thing is, has Vanderbilt improved its level of play? Will the benefits of Coach Lea's "Developmental Program" approach begin to show fruit in Year Three?

Here is my take on the schedule, from easiest to toughest:

Alabama A&M
Hawaii
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UNLV (away makes this tricky)
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Wake Forest (they will be much easier than last year, but still an away game)
Auburn (Petrino no magic in first year, home game for us, could be a W)
Mizzou
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Kentucky (still a potential W if we have shown progress on the lines)
Florida (their immense talent is very young)
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Tennessee (they won't be as good as last year, a 7-9 win team)
Ole Miss
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South Carolina
Georgia

I'm trying to stick to my original prediction that we won't get to a bowl until next year. This is just too much progress too fast from the dumpster fire that CCL took over. However, it is definitely possible. I'm betting the heck out of the Over 3.5 Wins that the sportsbooks have set up, although the payout is decreasing by the week.

The schedule is DEFINITELY a bit easier than last year, that is for sure. Add in that we had the most player retention in the conference (by far the fewest transfers out), and returning starters on the O-line, more player development, etc., and we just never know.

PS... A juicy betting morsel: Vandy to win the SEC East is listed as something like 300-1. At those odds, I'm putting a few bucks on that. A few injuries to UGa plus a lot of new faces and a tough schedule, UT has lost a ton and they implode a lot, UK replacing a ton, UF has a killer schedule... a few bounces our way and experience and major upward trajectory last year, UGa gets some key injuries, say a 6-2 conference record with a tie-breaker over another contender... I'll take that at 300-1 odds to only win the East.

I can't wait for the season to start. Our schedule is definitely easier this year, so I feel optimistic about going to a bowl game. The key is to stay healthy, as we still don't have the depth of other SEC teams. If we can stay healthy, I think we go 7-5.

dallasdore, I think you have Auburn confused with aTm - "Auburn (Petrino no magic in first year, home game for us, could be a W)"

Petrino is now Jimbo's OC at aTm.

If you had said Freeze, at Auburn, you would have been right.

Seadog73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:06 pm dallasdore, I think you have Auburn confused with aTm - "Auburn (Petrino no magic in first year, home game for us, could be a W)"

Petrino is now Jimbo's OC at aTm.

If you had said Freeze, at Auburn, you would have been right.

Freeze and Petrino are the same people, aren't they?

Seadog73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:06 pm dallasdore, I think you have Auburn confused with aTm - "Auburn (Petrino no magic in first year, home game for us, could be a W)"

Petrino is now Jimbo's OC at aTm.

If you had said Freeze, at Auburn, you would have been right.

That's who I meant, you are correct. I get people who are kindof slimeballs confused sometimes.

I'm thinking we go 8 and 4 and we win our first 6 games.

In my mind, there are three games on which the season hinges:

* Wake Forest--I have no idea what to expect post-Sam Hartman. They still have a lot of good players, though.
* Missouri--The series has been competitive four of the last five seasons, but Vanderbilt has only gotten over the hump once during that time. There are lots of questions at QB for the Tigers, too.
* Auburn--I have no idea what to expect in Hugh Freeze year 1, but the consensus seems to be that the recruiting was so lackluster during the Bryan Harsin tenure that it will be a season or two before the Tigers get back to being a top tier team.