Alabama Football: CFB week four, other key games for Crimson Tide fans
By Ronald Evans
South Carolina at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN
We can hear the groans! Why another Vanderbilt game preview? We say how can anyone not root for a Vanderbilt program, playing (at least in football) in a conference that gives them no shot at championships.
The Dores are 2-1 and came close to knocking off Notre Dame on the road. The physical approach of Derek Mason’s team still has Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly whining days after the Irish won.
The Dores can play defense and they have some weapons on offense. Quietly, Vandy QB Kyle Shurmur has become a solid offensive threat. The rise of South Carolina football under Will Muschamp could be diminished by a Vandy upset.
For Vandy, the annual battle to reach six wins makes almost every game a must-win game. The biggest problem for Vandy is Saturday is also a must-win game for the ambitious Gamecocks.
Shurmur passed for 326 yards against Notre Dame and rushing the passer has not been a strength for Carolina. But Will Muschamp has Jake Bentley and Deebo Samuel who are better than any pair of Vandy offensive players. Look for it to be close in Nashville as long as the Dores don’t gift too many turnovers.
There is another reason for Alabama football fans to be interested. Vandy could be good enough to knock off Tennessee this season.
Game Prediction: Bama Hammer Lead Writer, Ronald Evans, South Carolina 24 – Vandy 21