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The "Talent Gap"

Lots of talk the last few days about our "talent gap". I have been a fan for 50 years and we have ALWAYS had a talent gap. The fact that some of you are acting like this is a new thing is baffling. Like, how long have y'all been VU fans? Here is our class recruiting rankings relative to our SEC peers since 2010:

2022 14 last
2021 13 next to last
2020 14 last
2019 14 last
2018 12 2nd from last
2017 14 last
2016 14 last
2015 14 last
2014 14 last
2013 12 2nd from last
2012 12 2nd from last
2011 12 last
2010 12 last

NEWS FLASH--Of course we have a talent gap. Of course we typically wouldnt have multiple starters for other SEC teams. Is this really even an argument? Other coaches have figured out ways to scratch out a few SEC wins along the way. Hopefully Lea can do the same.

Football VU will beat South Carolina

USC isn't that much improved. They got the perfect storm against Texas A&M - returning the opening kickoff for a TD, and getting two turnovers deep in A&M territory that turned into 10 points.

Rattler (their QB) was a lackluster 12-of-25 passing or 168 yards, with no TDs. Their lead RB Lloyd had a decent game with 92 yards and 2 TDs, but they don't have a high octane offense.

I think it's our time, and as bad as the offense was on Saturday, the defense finally showed up. I think this team knows a few things it can do well now, and will be hungry to prove it coming out of the bye week. We'll also be at nearly full health.

I revoke my prediction if Swann isn't healthy in time, but otherwise I feel confident about this game.

Slightly Improved over Last Year according to Sagarins

As many know, we ended the year ranked #142 in the Sagarin's which was historically the worst VU team in the last 25 years by a significant margin (the previous worst was Robbie Caldwell's lame duck season--#126)

We are currently ranked #117 and are no longer the lowest ranked Power 5 Conference Team (Colorado). Still awful, but better than last year which is what my eyes told me but always good to get verification. The embarrassing debacle to ETSU last year also was a big blow to our ranking.

Hope we can start moving in the right direction. We did not look competitive in any phase of the game yesterday and while I know there is a big talent gap, other teams (like Missouri against Georgia, for example) seem to be able to put a plan together to be competitive, at least occasionally.

FYI, there are 9 FCS schools ranked ahead of us: Sacramento State, Weber State, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Montana, Mercer, Incarnate Word, Montana State, Southern Illinois.

Also of note, perennial bottom-dweller Kansas finished last year at 136. They are currently 47th up 89 spots over last year.

Mike Elko…

Mike Elko is in his first year at Duke and has the Blue Devils 5-3. They also just whipped Miami. In the three years prior to taking over there, Duke went:

5-7; 2-9; and 3-9, which led to David Cutcliffe retiring.

In the 3 years prior, Duke finished 57th, 62nd, and 54th in recruiting.

In those same years, Vanderbilt finished 49th, 52nd, and 58th in recruiting. So, it recruiting similarly to Duke.

This is not just a talent disparity issue. Yes, this team lacks talent. But, other coaches have proven they can get better results than what we are seeing. The sooner we move on from Clark Lea the better off we will be.

A real coach wins that game today. Clark Lea isn’t a real coach. He was gifted this job just because he’s an MBA/Vandy alum.

Jamey Chadwell wins that game.

Football Taking podcast questions for Luke Wyatt

The podcast is presented by Dr. Jody Jones, DDS.

The guest line is presented by Michael Kendrick of The Kendrick Group. Michael is a local carpenter and a lifelong Vandy fan. He builds bookshelves, cabinets, picture frames, furniture and made-to-order items, including a display case for my prized Dale Murphy jersey. I have seen Michael’s work and he’s a true craftsman. If you’re in the market for custom woodwork, give Michael a call at 615.830.9458.

Today’s mailbag is sponsored by Sutherland & Belk, a family owned injury law firm. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, give Taylor or Russell a call at 615-846-6200 to see what your rights are and if they can help.

Doing this at 10 Monday morning,

  • Poll
Who's is Responsible for Yesterday's Loss?

Who is responsible for the loss yesterday?

  • CCL - he is responsible for the whole program, buck stops here

    Votes: 28 38.4%
  • Coach Lynch - no creativity, so many useless runs up the middle, determines QB depth chart

    Votes: 8 11.0%
  • The players - coaches gonna coach, players gonaa play. Coaches didnt miss FGs, throw bad picks, etc

    Votes: 10 13.7%
  • The wind - Bulovas cuts it to a one score game and anything could have happened

    Votes: 1 1.4%
  • Talent Gap - Offensive line got flattened all game, including whiff on that 4th down play

    Votes: 21 28.8%
  • Officials - IDK. Bad spots and didnt call holding on Mizzou oline

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 5 6.8%

See several active posters blaming CCL, but would be interested to see broader results
  • Like
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