Consider the Commodores back in the bowl hunt.

A week after losing a homecoming heartbreaker to Georgia, Vanderbilt (4-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) took out its frustrations in a big way last Saturday, knocking off sixth-ranked South Carolina 17-6. The Commodores' first victory against a team ranked No. 6 or higher in 70 years leaves them just two wins away from becoming bowl eligible with five games to go.

Vanderbilt can make the next step toward its first postseason in 25 years on Saturday as the Commodores take on the RedHawks of Miami (Ohio) of the Mid-American Conference, a team coach Bobby Johnson said his players will not overlook.

"(Miami) certainly got our attention, and I don't think it will be a problem getting our players' attention either," Johnson said. "We're not near the point where we feel like we can be overconfident."

Quarterback Mackenzi Adams leads the Commodores into Saturday afternoon's contest (1 p.m. kickoff), a week after he beat the Gamecocks in his first career start. Adams tossed two first-quarter touchdowns and led the team in rushing with 84 yards, displaying a versatile skill set that will quell the quarterback controversy - for now.

While Adams helmed a Vanderbilt offense that scored 17 first-quarter points, it was the defense that stifled South Carolina time and again to seize victory. D.J. Moore grabbed two interceptions, while his teammates caused two more Gamecock turnovers and recorded a season-high seven sacks.

The Vanderbilt defense ranks high in multiple defense categories - third in total defense (310 yards per game), fourth in scoring defense (18 points per game) and third in turnover margin.

Johnson said the Commodores will need to be at their best Saturday, as Miami (4-4, 3-1 MAC) boasts a balanced attack that has them atop their division in the MAC.

"They do a great job on offense making you defend a lot of different things," he said. "They run the ball; they also have the quick screens and the bubble screens and things like that. Combine that with a running attack that if you go out there and cover those (receivers) they try to take advantage of it."

Led by quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh and running back Austin Sykes, the RedHawks rank fifth in the MAC in both passing yards (238.6 per game) and rushing yards (142.8). They'll be looking to get back on track after a disappointing loss to division rival Temple last weekend, although their record against non-conference opponents doesn't bode well.

Miami is just 1-3 against non-conference foes, the lone victory coming by a field goal against Syracuse. The RedHawks surrendered over 40 points in losses to Minnesota, Cincinnati and Colorado.

With Vanderbilt's quarterback situation resolved and receivers George Smith and Sean Walker stepping up to support Earl Bennett, who is now just two catches away from the SEC's all-time record, Miami should have a hard time holding the Commodores to fewer than 35 points.

Meanwhile, barring a huge letdown, the Vanderbilt defense should be able to limit the RedHawks to - at most - their average of 20 points per game.

Still, don't tell that to Johnson and the rest of the Commodores. In a college football season as crazy as this one, teams simply cannot afford to take anything for granted. Just ask South Carolina.