Oxford, Miss. (TLV) – For the average Ole Miss fan, the following sentence may be hard to read: Vanderbilt has become a rivalry.
No matter how you spin it, The Commodores have given Ole Miss fits over the past few years, winning six of the last eight in this annual series.
From 1993 to 2004, the Rebels only lost once in an overtime contest at home. The Commodores have won the last three games in the series bringing the overall record to 47-38-2 in The Rebels’ favor.
This year’s contest should prove to be no different in terms of an exciting game to watch. ESPN has picked up the game and will televise the game at 8:15 pm.
Vanderbilt was returning 14 starters on a team that won nine games last season until recent developments resulted in wide receiver Chris Boyd being indicted for his role in a rape case involving several players on the teams. Boyd, who caught 50 passes for 774 yards and five touchdowns in 2012, will leave a big void on the offense.
The Commodores will have a new starting quarterback in Wyoming transfer Austyn Carta-Samuels. The 6-1, 218 pound senior will lead the offense after seeing minimal playing time in 2012. Samuels did earn a starting role against Presbyterian where he completed 14 of 24 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown in a 58-0 win. Head Coach James Franklin likes where Samuels is going into the Ole Miss game.
“Austyn might be having a better camp than I anticipated,” he said. “He’s playing at his highest level.”
The defense returns two up front, two linebackers and three in the secondary to make for a balanced amount of experience on that side of the ball. In 2012, The Commodore defense ranked fifth in the SEC giving up 18.8 points per game and just 4.7 yards per play. The secondary allowed just seven touchdown passes the entire season, an SEC best, and gave up 190 yards per game through the air.
In the Ole Miss game last year, quarterback Bo Wallace lit up that secondary, completing 31 of 49 passes for 403 yards and a score. However, it was the run game that gave the Rebels problems. Vanderbilt held Ole Miss to just 55 yards on the ground, their second lowest of the season.
In order for the Rebels to win this ‘must win’ game, a running game will need to be established. Relying solely on the arm of Wallace and the hands of Donté Moncrief may only, God forbid, yield the same result.
TLV Rivalry Humor
If you were a Hot Dog, would you eat yourself?
Apparently, the Vanderbilt Concessions Crew needs your help. You see, they need to name a Hot Dog.
The four finalists for the Commodore Red Hot are:
Anchor Down Dawg (Pretzel Bun, Cheese, Mustard, Hot Peppers)
Black and Gold Dog (Fried Potatoes, Chili, Cheese)
Dorepedo (Mustard, Relish, Horseradish, Jalapeños)
Dudley Dog (Chili, Cheese, Onion, Jalapeños)
We suggest the: Indictment Dog (smothered in mustard and polished off with a tall cool Budweiser) (Too Soon?)
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream
If you’re not into Hot Dogs, the Vanderbilt Coaching Staff will treat you to a some Italian Ice or a Fudgsicle after practice.
Get excited, dang it!
–
We suggest you watch this video:
