Offensive issues have plagued Vanderbilt much of the 2008 season and those questions haven't been answered yet as the Commodores head to Winston Salem this weekend.
Vanderbilt (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) will visit Wake Forest (6-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) tomorrow in the conclusion of both teams' regular seasons. The game airs on ESPNU at 6 p.m. CT.
The teams share many similarities, both being the smallest schools in their respective conferences, both sporting black and gold as their colors, and both sputtering in the final weeks of the season after hot starts.
Vanderbilt started 5-0 and went as high as No. 13 in the polls but has since dropped five of its last six games, including losses to Mississippi State, Duke and Tennessee, who sport a combined record of 12-22. The Demon Deacons won four of their first five games and entered the national rankings but have lost four of six since and have no shot of winning another ACC title.
Winning this game will be the difference between a winning season for one team and a .500 record for the other.
Commodore coach Bobby Johnson recognizes the significance of a winning season for his team, even if they have finally become bowl eligible.
"Obviously to me 7-5 is a whole lot better than 6-6 so that's what we are shooting for," Johnson said. "We've got to get refocused and we have to be ready to play."
Another anemic showing by the offense in last week's 20-10 loss to Tennessee led to yet another change at quarterback for the Commodores. Redshirt senior Chris Nickson was outstanding against Kentucky, but against the Volunteers he threw an interception, lost a fumble and passed for negative yardage on his only completion, paving the way for redshirt junior Mackenzi Adams to take the reins yet again. Adams delivered an uneven performance under center but it was still enough for him to likely start against Wake Forest.
"Mackenzi played well and we're probably looking at playing him," Johnson said. "But we have to keep our options open at that position. You never say never."
The search for consistent play at quarterback has been a futile one for the Vanderbilt coaching staff this season. Nickson earned the starting job before the season and started the first six games, but a shoulder injury made him largely ineffective throwing the ball against Auburn and Mississippi State and strong play from the backup Adams allowed him to take over. Adams lost all three of his starts and suffered a hip pointer against Florida, allowing Nickson to again reclaim the job, but after his outing against the Vols, it will be Adams again.
Both Adams and Nickson have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but by and large their performances have been extremely inconsistent.
And it's been wearying for Johnson. When asked if it was almost frustrating to have to guess each week which of the two would be more effectve, Johnson gave a small smile.
"It's not 'almost' frustrating," he said.
To make matters worse, Vanderbilt's dependable running back Jared Hawkins will not be available Saturday with a leg injury, leading to some more touches for redshirt senior Jeff Jennings and little-used redshirt sophomore Gaston Miller.
"(Gaston)'s done some things, " Johnson said. "He's going to have his opportunities this week, and we're anxious to see what he's going to do with them."
The rest of the players are zeroed in on Wake Forest alone, and talk of bowls has gone by the wayside in the quest for a winning season.
"Our goals are higher and higher and we're starting to reach those goals," said junior tackle Greg Billinger. "We didn't quite make it against Tennessee, but we're going to push through."
Vanderbilt may be catching the Deacons at just the right time. Wake Forest has been decimated by injuries lately, especially to its offensive line, which has led to a poor showing from its running attack during the team's recent struggles. Over the last three games, the Demon Deacons are barely rushing for 64 yards a game.
Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Adam Smotherman still expects the team to try and run on Vanderbilt, particularly after the success Tennessee had last week, piling up over 200 yards on the ground. The Commodores also lost pass-rushing specialist Broderick Stewart for the season with a broken leg.
"We're going to have to stop them," Smotherman said. "We go into every game knowing that we're going to have to stop the run."
Johnson and the players insist that their recent struggles have not taken a toll on their focus.
"We're just going to have to bounce back," said redshirt freshman receiver Jamie Graham. "The first five games we did great offensively, and we just need to get back on track."
And no, Johnson said, losing five of six after a 5-0 start does not make any difference for Vanderbilt's psyche heading into week 14.
"A loss is a loss," Johnson said. "Whether you're a coach or a player, you're a competitor, you want to win every game, you want to play every game, no matter when it comes on your schedule."
