The week 2 loss to LSU down in the bayou brought back painful memories of the old Vandebilt I use to know. The one that would put itself in position to win only to hand the game back to the heavily favored opponent.
That's what happened last week as the Commodores were only trailing by seven late in the game.
Quarterback Larry Smith had the Commodores driving against the No. 11 ranked team in the country. A nice pass on a crossing route to Alex Washington would've put the Commodores in good position to tie the game, but instead the ball grazed off Washington's hands and into an LSU defender's. That would ultimately seal the Commodores' sixth straight loss to the Tigers.
This loss also didn't come without a heavy price to pay in the injuries department. The biggest injury was to senior free safety Ryan Hamilton, who is also one of the defensive captains. Hamilton could be out the rest of the season but nothing is certain.
The Commodores have to be ready for a wounded Mississippi State team that is coming to town. The Bulldogs just got done getting their tails whipped at the hands of Auburn and they're going to be ready to play. No matter how ready they are the Commodores should win this game if they come in prepared and limit the dumb mistakes.
Since it's still early in the season I hate to say that a loss to Mississippi State could end the Commodores' hopes for another bowl bid, but I've seen the Commodores get off to slow starts before and it never ends well. To open the season 1-2 with the only win being against a FCS school would be a nightmare for a team that needs all the confidence in the world.
Even the great teams take tough losses from time to time. What separates the great teams from the average team is the great teams know how to bounce back from tough losses and get a big win.
If Vanderbilt can step up in a big way and defeat the Bulldogs this Saturday, that will prove to me that Vanderbilt has taken the next step towards being another solid team in the SEC.
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