Music City Bowl Preview

Vanderbilt Sports Line was kind enough to swap questions and answers with us to give BC fans a better perspective of this Vandy squad. Below are his answers to my questions.


Q. Vanderbilt has used both Mackenzie Adams and Chris Nickson at QB this year. Judging by their numbers, Nickson has been the more effective one this season. Is this an accurate statement and who will start for the commodores in the game?

A. Nickson has been a more effective offensive weapon when he's been healthy, but that's more a function of his ability to make plays with his legs than it is his passing ability. Bobby Johnson is, predictably, holding his cards close and not saying anything about who will start against BC. Don't be surprised to see three QBs (Nickson, Adams, and Larry Smith) under center over the course of the game. All Coach Johnson said concerning the quarterback situation after Monday's practice was this: "We have several options on what we can do and we'll try to do it by the situation that's at hand. We've got three capable guys, so anything can happen."

Q. Vanderbilt's defensive stats show that you were 3rd in pass defense in the SEC (as well as 2nd in interceptions), but 3rd to last in rush defense in the SEC. Is it safe to say that the way to beat your defense is pound it on the ground or are these stats misleading?

A. With an offensive line and running game like BC's, it's a safe statement. As far as the stats go, there is certainly a lot of truth to them. But you also have to consider the fact that Vanderbilt returned its entire secondary and had to fill some big shoes up front this year. Several of those are freshman who filled in for graduating seniors, and they've now had a full season of experience. Two of those freshmen (LB Chris Marve and DT T.J. Greenstone) were named to the SEC All-Freshman team. LB Patrick Benoist is an All-SEC tackler as well. But the short answer is yes.

Q. Your team also placed last in the SEC this past year with only 1,473 combined passing yards. Is this because of mediocre quarterback play or because your are simply a run first team?

A. A combination of horrendously bad play calling, receivers dropping balls they should be catching, and less-than-inspiring quarterback play -- roughly in that order.


Q. BC has had issues in the past containing speedy quarterbacks. Looking at your QBs rushing stats I am a bit concerned they will cause our defense issues. Are your QBs as mobile as they appear and should BC be worried?

A. It depends on how healthy they are and whether or not they can get out of their own heads, but all three can make plays on the ground. The optimist in me says that given the recovery time our guys have had, yes, you should be concerned. Problem is, RB Jared Hawkins is still questionable, and without him our alternatives on the ground are limited and not all that appealing, which may play into the hands of a defense looking to key on the QB run.

Q. Moore looks like a real gamebreaker both on defense and special teams. How do you think the eagles can slow him down come game time?

A. Prayer maybe?

Q. Being the first bowl game the Commodores have been to since 1982, what does playing in the Music City Bowl mean to Vanderbilt?

A. It means an opportunity for a winning season, an opportunity to overcome the disappointment of starting 5-0 and finishing 1-6, a chance to catch the eye of high-caliber recruits who might not be considering Vanderbilt as seriously as other big-conference schools, the symbolic turning of a corner from being a "tough game" on other SEC teams' schedules to a legitimate contender, and -- maybe more important than anything else -- a chance to get in a few more weeks of practice during the winter, which should serve this young team well looking ahead to next season and beyond.