Pre-Season SEC Power Rankings

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Jul 14, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason talks to the media during the SEC Football Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

13. Vanderbilt

Last Season: 9-4 (4-4)

The Good: The Commodores know how to win. Vanderbilt has gone to a bowl game in each of the last three seasons, and has won nine games and been ranked in the final AP poll in each of the last two years – things that had never been done in school history. The job James Franklin did in Nashville cannot be understated.

The Bad: Franklin is now the head coach at Penn State. Derek Mason has a great reputation as a defensive coach, and may be able to keep Vanderbilt on an upward climb, but it will be tough for him as a first-year head coach in 2014.

The Ugly: Things got a little ugly early in the off-season when Franklin jumped ship and several recruits went with him. But worse, is the fact that Vanderbilt is the least experienced team in the SEC, and has the lowest ranked collection of skill position talent on offense in the conference.

Position-By-Position Ranking (Out of 14 SEC Teams)

Quarterbacks – 14th

Running Backs – 14th

Wide Receivers – 14th

Tight Ends – 12th

Tackles – 13th

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