Storylines to Watch This Season: Can Vanderbilt Football Run Away with the Non-Conference Games?

“Sweep the leg.” “No mercy.” While the 2025 football season certainly isn’t the Karate Kid’s All Valley Karate Tournament, Vanderbilt would be wise to adopt Cobra Kai Sensei Kreese’s philosophy in the games it’s favored in. 

As game-changing as least season was for Vanderbilt Football, the Commodores were caught playing with their food in games that should not have been as close. Some games that come to mind are Georgia State (which resulted in a gut-wrenching loss), Ball State, and arguably the second half against Virginia Tech, where Vanderbilt’s defense fell apart with several breakdowns in the secondary. 

Overall, Vanderbilt went 3-1 in non-conference play in 2024 but paid the price in the tough Georgia State loss and its starters having to play the majority of the Ball State game, which added to wear and tear. In order for the Commodores to take the next step in 2025, the team needs to take care of business in the games that the team is favored in, the majority of which come in non-conference play. 

Four of Vanderbilt’s first five contests in 2025 come against non-conference opponents. In non-conference play this season, Vanderbilt plays Charleston Southern, Virginia Tech, Georgia State, and Utah State. To get where the Commodores want to go to elevate the program and their College Football Playoff hopes, Vanderbilt will need to go 4-0 in this stretch and leave no doubt.

We all know what Vanderbilt needs to do in these games, but how does it get there? For starters, increased depth should help. Vanderbilt has legitimate depth on both sides of the ball and can rotate players in a way it has not been able to since the James Franklin era, especially on the defensive side. A boosted roster should allow Vanderbilt to maintain multiple score leads and rest its starters. 

At the same time, the Commodores cannot rest on their laurels from last season and must take all of their opponents seriously, even in games they expect to win. Back to the Cobra Kai theme, here’s three ways that Vanderbilt can keep its foot on the gas in non-conference play this season. 

Strike first 

If Vanderbilt gets the ball first, it needs to get into the end zone on its opening drive. The Jerry Kill-Tim Beck offensive is predicated on playing from out in front. Particularly in the Ball State and Georgia State games last year, Vanderbilt started out slow and trailed at the end of the first quarter.

On defense, the Commodores can’t give up easy points early. Vanderbilt needs to establish itself early by wreaking havoc through the pass rush as well as tight coverage. If Vanderbilt can do this, it can force turnovers early. With Steve Gregory as the Defensive Coordinator, look for Vanderbilt to utilize pressure early and often, especially against its non-conference opponents. Despite his New England roots Gregory does not utilize a “bend don’t break” defense like Matt Patricia and is way less conservative than Bill Belichick when it comes to blitzing. A strip sack, fumble recovery, or interception early will set the tone as Vanderbilt begins its season. 

Strike hard 

I’m as big of a Brock Taylor fan as anyone, but in these non-conference games, field goals won’t make the difference and put the games out of reach. Offensive touchdowns, defensive touchdowns, and safeties will make the difference in non-conference play. In other words, do what you do well and hit your opponents in the mouth. 

Vanderbilt doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel in these non-conference games. If the Commodores play their game, execute their ball control offense, convert in the red zone, and force opponents into making mistakes, Vanderbilt can establish itself and reach a new level in 2025. 

No mercy 

Here’s where “Sweep the leg” comes into play. Football is a violent, physical game where an opponent will keep hitting back if you don’t put them out of their misery. Last year in non-conference play, Vanderbilt got complacent at times, particularly in the Georgia State game, the first quarter of the Ball State game, and the second half of the Virginia Tech game after it had built a 14-point lead heading into the third quarter. 

If Vanderbilt has the chance for a back-breaking touchdown, a smothering sack, or a kill-shot turnover in these games, it needs to execute. One of the worst mistakes a team can make in football is failing to execute in a key spot and giving an opposing team life. Whether it was the fumble in the first quarter of the Georgia State game, the first quarter touchdown against Ball State, or that awful blown cover 2 coverage against Virginia Tech, all of those games give the Commodores teaching moments of “what not to do” heading into the 2025 season. 

One of the traditional shots that opposing fans and national media take at Vanderbilt is that “Vanderbilt isn’t a real SEC school.” Part of that criticism comes from keeping non-conference games too close and losing them. Good SEC teams dominate in non-conference play. If the Commodores can care of business in non-conference play, Vanderbilt can shut some of its critics up and take another important step in changing the culture and perception of its program. 

Can Vanderbilt take the next step? It begins with non-conference play and the answer will define its 2025 season. And it starts at the top. 

Sweep the leg, Clark. No mercy.