Vandy does SEC proud on, off field

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2008 | by Mike Lopresti

After the first blast of tubas in college football, we can report the Southeastern Conference looks mightier than ever. So which of the league's juggernauts deserves our attention?

Sure. Vanderbilt. This is Commodores Appreciation Day.

The thought occurred sometime while Alabama was mashing Clemson, and South Carolina was crushing North Carolina State and LSU was whipping Appalachian State and Georgia was rolling and the conference was going 10-2 the first week, with Monday night's Tennessee loss to UCLA one of the only stains.

How hard is it to be a tuna in a shark tank? How hard is it to be Vanderbilt?

"It's a tough road, because as much improvement as we make, we're just catching up to where they are already," coach Bobby Johnson said....