Are the Commodores going bowling?
Vanderbilt comes into the 2023 season looking to build off of 2022. Clark Lea returns as the head coach in Nashville. In year 3, Lea holds a 7 – 17 record. Vandy looks to return with quarterback AJ Swann at the helm. While Swann didn’t have great success in 2022, he did get significant experience. Let’s look at 2022 to see where our predictions for Vanderbilt Football 2023 lead us.
A Look at the 2022 Vanderbilt Football Team
Let’s take a quick look at Vanderbilt’s 2022 Season results. Vandy started off at 3-1 and then stumbled to 2-6 down the stretch. There were some good signs as this team got better as the year went on for the most part.
After a 2-10 first season, Clark Lea improved his team by 3 wins in year 2. That’s actually impressive for anyone but especially Vanderbilt. Huge wins in November against Kentucky and Florida had this team dreaming about bowling until the cross state big brother rivals showed up.
How will the Commodores fair in 2023?
The Commodores made big strides in 2022. I don’t know that anyone saw them beating Florida or Kentucky. Much less beating both of those teams and back to back. Let’s look at the schedule game by game and make some way too early predictions.
Versus Hawaii at Vanderbilt
This games will be similar to last year. It may be closer as Vandy tries to figure some things out but the Dores will roll in this one.
W Hawaii 17 – Vandy 45
Versus Alabama A&M at Vanderbilt
Vandy builds confidence and start to believe. No chance here for Bulldogs in Nashville in week 2.
W Alabama A&M 10 – Vandy 49
At Wake Forest
This may be the biggest gauge of where Vanderbilt is during the early 2023 season. Wake Forest went 8-5 after a 27-17 win over Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Demon Deacons from North Carolina look grab another victory over a South Eastern Conference team in week 3. Vanderbilt and Clark Lea have something to say about that. Wake will be starting a new QB which could make things very interesting for the Commodores Defense.
L Vandy 21 – Wake Forest 24
At UNLV
Week 4 will bring Lea’s team to Sin City for a battle with the Rebels. UNLV went 5-7 last year, just missing out on a trip to go bowling. UNLV looks to grab an ever elusive SEC victory when Nashville’s finest come to town.
W Vandy 28 – UNLV 13
Versus Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt seemingly came out of no where to shock Kentucky at home last year. Mark Stoops won’t be caught looking ahead again on this one. Look for a gritty old school fight with the Wildcats in game 4 of September.
L Kentucky 21 – Vanderbilt 17
Missouri at Vanderbilt
The battle for the bottom of the SEC will be determined on the final day of September. Vandy looks to bring in a 3-2 record when the Tigers of Columbia come to town. Eli Drinkwitz is battling for his job and must win this road games. Another unpretty game here.
W Tigers 21 – Vanderbilt 24
Vanderbilt Projected Record through September (4 - 2)
October 7th Vanderbilt at Florida in the Swamp
Vanderbilt will leave September looking for just 2 more wins to become bowl eligible. After beating the Missouri Tigers, a dangerous trip to Florida comes next. Vandy lead the Florida Gators 28-12 before eventually winning 31 – 24 in Nashville. If Vandy wants to play with the big boys, they will needs to continue to beat good teams like Florida. Not happening in the Swamp though.
L Vanderbilt 21 – Florida 35
Georgia at Vanderbilt
The two time defending national champions ride to Nashville in Week 8. Georgia will again be loaded and hungry for a 3-Peat to solidify them as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of college football. This could be a game the bulldogs overlook.
L Georgia 31 – Vanderbilt 6
Vandy at Ole Miss
After a return to Earth in the SEC, Vandy heads to the Grove to face the Fighting Kiffins . Ole Miss will bring one of the top offenses in the conference as the Vanderbilt Defense tries to shut them down.
L Vanderbilt 13 – Ole Miss 38
Auburn at Vanderbilt
This may be one of the most intriguing games for Clark Lea’s team this season. Auburn wasn’t very good in 2022. Hugh Freeze brings his offense to Nashville with an almost completely rebuilt team from 2022. Auburn will be improved but by how much?
W Auburn 23 – Vanderbilt 24
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
South Carolina was a tale of two teams in 2022. Shocking first the Vols and then the Clemson tigers in just a couple of weeks. Then they went a lost a bowl game inexplicably. Which team shows up will tell the tale as we expect Vandy to be riding high after their 5th victory.
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
New season. New teams. Same incoming results as last year. Vandy, now 5-6 has to find a way to stop a team that destroyed them at home. Now the Dores must head to Neyland Stadium to try to get bowl eligible. The Vols will likely come into this game with thoughts of a big post season.
L Vanderbilt 13 – Tennessee 44
Vanderbilt Football Record Prediction 2023 5 - 7
The Vanderbilt Commodores will be much improved this season. Unfortunately our Predictions for Vanderbilt Football 2023 are not enough to move the needle into bowl eligibility. The positives will be closer games and separation from Missouri. No longer at the bottom of the SEC, Clark Lea continues to make progress for the gold team from Nashville.