The Commodores' first season of bowl eligibility since 1982 is a positive mark in a tumultuous football season. Those who thought this could be the year of Vanderbilt dominance in the SEC had their hopes dashed after a five-win open gave way to four straight losses. The more disconcerting losses to Duke and Mississippi State were confusing as they displayed a different team than the one Commodore fans had seen beat South Carolina back in September.

Still, Saturday's win over Kentucky was the beginning of the drive to a bowl game for which the Commodore nation has been waiting so long. The team is determined to deliver a strong finish for the season, which will strengthen Vanderbilt's chances of actually playing in a bowl. Coach Bobby Johnson and the players will certainly be practicing hard over the next two weeks, but fans also need to play a role.

Despite the fact that this weekend's home game against in-state rival Tennessee falls at the beginning of the weeklong Thanksgiving break, students should make the effort to support the Commodores. As veteran fans will recall, Vanderbilt Stadium is always overwhelmed with the hideous orange of Nashville's numerous Volunteer fans for this home game. Even though Vanderbilt's fan base has increased considerably this season, the Commodores need all the help they can get from student fans.

Students should hold off on getting home early and stick around for the game this Saturday. Cheering on your Commodores will not only help the team reach a bowl game, it could also become a great college memory of a potentially historic moment in Vanderbilt athletics history.

— Michael Warren