College Football Previews #124 and #125 - Vanderbilt and Alabama

Vanderbilt hopes to double last season's win total in 2022 but even that will be difficult due to the SEC gauntlet. Head Coach Clark Lea enters his 2nd season at the helm with moderate expectations. The Commodores have the unenviable task of playing road games at Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky this season. Vanderbilt welcomes back seven starters on Offense including three starters on the Offensive Line. The Wide Receiving Unit brings back one starter in junior Will Sheppard and will need several experienced returnees to step up most notably junior Logan Kyle and sophomore Quincy Skinner, Jr. Junior Quarterback Ken Seals - another returning starter - will battle fellow junior Mike Wright in the Preseason to determine who will be the Commodores starter this Fall. Senior Running Back Re'Mahn Davis - another returning starter - could be the team's best Offensive weapon and has experienced options behind him including sophomore Patrick Smith. Senior Tight End Ben Bresnahan - the final returning starter on Offense - gives the team another reliable option in the passing game. Vanderbilt returns six starters on Defense including two starters on the Defensive Line in senior Defensive Tackle Daevion Davis and junior Defensive End Nate Clifton. The Linebacking Unit also brings back two starters and will be anchored by senior Inside Linebacker Anfernee Orji who is an NFL prospect. The Secondary also welcomes back two starters in senior Cornerback Jaylen Mahoney and senior Safety Maxwell Worship. The Special Teams Unit will be led by senior Kicker Joseph Bulovas while senior Matt Hayball (Florida Atlantic transfer) will handle the Punting duties. Vanderbilt is pinning its hopes this season on several impact transfers and young players excelling. The schedule doesn't do them any favors as in addition to their road contests the Commodores host Ole Miss, Florida, and Tennessee. A Non-Conference game against Wake Forest in mid September will be difficult as well. I predict Vanderbilt to go 3-9 and finish in 7th place in the SEC East Division. The Commodores will hope to make a return to Postseason play in 2023 for the first time since 2018.

Alabama begins the 2022 season in an unfamiliar place as the Crimson Tide aren't the defending National Champions. Head Coach Nick Saban enters his 16th season at the helm with sky high expectations. The Crimson Tide have the usual tough road trips to make this season including games at Arkansas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Alabama welcomes back five starters on Offense including three starters on the Offensive Line. The Wide Receiving Unit doesn't return any starters and will need several experienced returnees to step up most notably junior Jermaine Burton (Georgia transfer). Junior Quarterback Bryce Young - another returning starter - will look to make it two straight seasons of winning the Heisman Trophy. Senior Tight End Cameron Latu - the final returning starter on Offense - gives the team another reliable option in the passing game. Look for junior Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech transfer) to have a breakout season in his 1st year in Tuscaloosa. Alabama returns seven starters on Defense including two starters on the Defensive Line in senior Defensive Tackle DJ Dale and senior Defensive End Byron Young. The Linebacking Unit also brings back two starters and will be anchored by junior Linebacker Will Anderson Jr. who finished 5th in Heisman Trophy voting last season. The Secondary welcomes back three starters and will be led by a pair of veteran Safeties in senior Jordan Battle and junior Brian Branch. The Special Teams Unit returns intact with senior Kicker Will Reichard and sophomore Punter James Burnip both back. Alabama has their work cut out for them if they are to qualify for the College Football Playoff for the eighth time in nine seasons. The Crimson Tide host Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Auburn in addition to their road contests. Alabama also travels to Austin to face Texas in mid September in an early season Non-Conference game. I predict Alabama to go a perfect 15-0 and finish in 1st place in the SEC West Division. The Crimson Tide will defeat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and defeat the Bulldogs for the 2nd time in the National Championship Game in January at SoFi Stadium to reclaim their throne. What will Alabama do for an encore in 2023? Their fans can't wait to find out.

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