Nashville is abuzz about two things Vanderbilt sports related. The first is the Commodores heading up to Rupp Arena and getting their first win ever in the Bluegrass state vs the Wildcats. I will give a tip of the hat to Vandy for doing that. I didn't see much of the game since it was on opposite
Scrubs and
The Shield, but what I did see, it was a good win for y'all. Congratulations on a big win. But as I'm quick to point out with what seems like a big win--it's not the big win itself, it's what you do with it. For example, UT this year went to LSU and beat the Tigers in OT. But we then went on to have a less than stellar season, so in the overall context of what UT was trying to do in the season, it wasn't as big a win as we first thought. Same thing here--it's how Vandy uses this win as a springboard for success through the season, SEC tournament and possibly beyond that will tell the tale of how big this win really was.
The other thing that has gone the sports discussion buzzing is Vandy's big move in football. Seems that Vanderbilt decided to drop MTSU as the opening game of the season this year and schedule a nationally televised game against Michigan in the Big House for the season opener. As an SEC fan, this move makes me happy becuase it improves Vandy's strength of schedule which could help an SEC team make into the BCS next year.
Beyond that, I don't see the logic of it. Maybe they're thinking the trade-off is worth it. The way Vandy's played against MTSU a win is not a sure thing. But going to Michigan is pretty much a sure loss and whereas I think Vandy and MTSU could at least be competitive, looking at what Vandy's bringing back (aka no Jay Cutler) and how really upset Michigan is that they lost five games last year, this one looks like a slaughter for Michigan. I realize that Vandy will say--yes, but it will help with recruiting, but do you think a recruit is going to want to come to a team that is the cupcake to open the season for Michigan in their stadium. Also, from what I see, Vandy has a brutal early schedule now and it seems to me that a loss to Michigan could spiral the team downward and put them on the losing track early. Now, as a Tennessee fan, I guess I should appreciate an opponent being beatdown early and mentally out of it, but as an SEC fan, I hate to see our conference lose a game.
Oh sure, it's football and anything can happen. But I'm not seeing it. I'm not a Vandy fan, but I'm not a Vandy hater. I look at this move and I just don't see the logic behind it. It seems like it's a Kobayashi Maru for Vandy.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 1/11/2006 07:11:00 AM |
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