Vanderbilt Commodores Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Vanderbilt Commodores Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 2-10 SEC Record: 1-7 (6th, East) 2011 Returning Starters: 21; 11 offense. 8 defense, punter. kicker

Coach: James Franklin, First Season

Offensive Coordinators: John Donovan Defensive Coordinators: Brent Pry, Bob Shoop

2011 Vanderbilt Players to Watch: QB Lany Smith, RB Warren Norman, RB Zac Stacy, WR Jordan Matthews, DE Tim Fugger, LB Chris Marve, CB Casey Hayward, SS Sean Richardson

2011 Vanderbilt Strengths:
The defensive line has depth. Hayward had six picks last year as he continues to develop into a shutdown cornerback. The offensive backfield is crowded, with Norman expected to get most of the carries coming off wrist and knee surgeries.

2011 Vanderbilt Weaknesses:
Just nine offensive linemen played in the spring game, so depth questions will linger. Though Smith is penciled in as the starting quarterback, the position could be a work in progress. He is the team’s only passer with Division I experience. The Commodores have to replace two starters at linebacker.

2011 Vanderbilt Offense:

Larry Smith teased Commodore fans with a strong showing in the Music City Bowl in 2008, but the Alabama native has struggled in his two seasons as the starter. Last fall, Smith completed only 47.4 percent of his passes and averaged a woeful 5.1 yards per attempt overall and 3.8 in SEC games. To be fair, Smith has been forced to operate behind the league’s worst offensive line the past two seasons, but he will have to perform at a higher level to hold on to the starting assignment. The biggest challenge will come from Jordan Rodgers, a former junior college transfer who was limited in the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery. The strength of the Vanderbilt offense is undoubtedly in the backfield, where Warren Norman, Zac Stacy and Wesley Tate will battle for carries. Norman, who rushed for 459 yards and averaged 6.0 yards per carry before going down with a season-ending arm injury in Week 8, gives Vanderbilt a much-needed big-play threat. Tate caught the attention of the coaching staff with a strong performance in the spring. Vanderbilt’s receiving corps has been alarmingly unproductive in recent seasons. Veterans John Cole and Udom Umoh are back, but the Commodores need some of their younger receivers to take on leading roles. Brandon Barden and Austin Monahan (if healthy) form a nice tandem at tight end. No area of the team will be under the microscope more than the offensive line. Simply put, this unit needs to show significant improvement if Vanderbilt plans on being competitive in the SEC this fall. All five starters return.

2011 Vanderbilt Defense:

The defensive line had emerged as a relative strength in recent seasons but struggled last fall, due in large part to a rash of injuries at the tackle spots. Three of the four starters are back, highlighted by blue-collar tackle T.J. Greenstone, a fifth-year senior and a two-year team captain. Even in the leanest of times, Vanderbilt has never had a shortage of SEC-quality linebackers. That, however, was not the case last season. Chris Marve was outstanding in the middle (as usual), but the Commodores didn’t get much out of the other two spots. There’s talent and depth in the Vanderbilt secondary. Senior Casey Hayward, a second-team All-SEC pick last season, headlines a solid crop of cornerbacks. Senior Sean Richardson and sophomore Kenny Ladler are back at safety. The 6’2″, 218-pound Richardson is outstanding in run support.

2011 Vanderbilt Special Teams:

Warren Norman set the freshman conference record for kickoff return yards in a season (1,050) and tied the SEC record for touchdowns on kickoff returns with three. He provides the potential for good starting field position. Ryan Fowler tied the school record for field goals in a season (16). Punter Richard Kent assumes an important role in his first-year on the job for a team that will be forced to punt often.

2011 Vanderbilt Football Schedule | Vanderbilt Football Sportsbooks

2011 Vanderbilt Predictions:

Placekicker Ryan Fowler didn’t get many opportunities last season, making 8 of 13 field goal attempts, missing all four kicks longer than 35 yards. Richard Kent, in his first year as a starter last season, punted 84 times – a team record and the most in the country. He averaged 41.8 yards.

2011 Vanderbilt Betting Odds:

Vanderbilt Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

Will Vanderbilt go to a Bowl Game this season or will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Vanderbilt Football Betting at our feature sportsbooks. College Football Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of loot placing informed, smart Utah bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.

NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.

Bet on Vanderbilt

If you are looking for the best Online Sportsbook to bet on the Vanderbilt this season, then BetOnline.com with their Better Bonus Guarantee, is the place for you. BetOnline.com has NCAA Football Betting Lines and Odds, along with a tons of futures on the 2011 Season, so get your college football bets in early while the lines are hot!