The Vanderbilt Commodores were just 2-10 last season so they are not likely to get much support at sports betting companies but they could be a surprise team with their new head coach. Robbie Caldwell takes over this season and it would seem like he has nowhere to go but up with the Commodores. Vanderbilt is a three-point home underdog in sports betting in their season opener against Northwestern.
Sports betting companies will list Vanderbilt as underdogs in probably all but one of their games in 2010. The Commodores are capable of surprising a few teams though. Just two seasons ago it was Vanderbilt winning a bowl game but last season it all fell apart as they were horrible offensively. They were next to last in all of college football in time of possession. They were 113th in scoring as they put up just 16.33 points per game. The Commodores were abysmal in SEC conference games as they scored a total of six touchdowns all year.
Vanderbilt was coached by Bobby Johnson last year but he suddenly retired and Caldwell is in the spotlight. He may actually do a lot better than people expect. Johnson had success two years ago but overall at Vanderbilt he had done a lot of losing. That may not change with Caldwell but there will definitely be value with the Commodores because not a lot is expected. It should be remembered in college football sports betting that covering the spread is what matters.
Vanderbilt returns six starters on offense and five on defense. The Commodores have a battle at quarterback between Junior Larry Smith, senior Jared Funk and Jordan Rodgers. The last name might get people’s attention since Jordan Rodgers is the brother of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. The Commodores have some talent as they return SEC Freshman of the Year Warren Norman and Wesley Tate whose brother Golden Tate was drafted by Seattle.
The schedule for Vandy is difficult but that doesn’t mean they can’t cover the spread. They may not win games against LSU, Florida and Arkansas but they could cover the spread and that is what matters. They open up the season at home in a game they could win as they are three-point underdogs against Northwestern.