Bennett catches feverat Vanderbilt: BCS talk

HOOVER, Ala. — Just 47 catches shy of becoming the SECs all-time leader in career receptions, Earl Bennett wasnt interested in records.

Instead, the Vanderbilt junior receiver preferred talking about the Bowl Championship Series.

Yup, the BCS.

It would be nice to break all the records, but Im more concerned with going to a BCS game, Bennett told the assembled media at the Wynfrey Hotel during day two of the SEC Media Days. That would be a lot better than breaking any records.

Vanderbilt already has had a record breaker.

Just two years ago, Jay Cutler set a school record for career passing yards on his way to becoming a first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos.

Even that season Vandy beat Tennessee, but still finished 5-6.

Last year, it defeated Georgia and wound up 4-8.

What the Commodores havent had since 1982 is a trip to a bowl game of any kind.

Every other SEC school — even Mississippi State — has been to a bowl game since 2000.

this century.

Vanderbilt has been to only three bowl games since the school began playing football.

In 1890.

And none of the bowl games has even been on New Years Day.

But 118 years and more than 1,100 games worth of history didnt seem to matter to Bennett on Thursday.

The expectations are BCS, Bennett said. I feel like we have great athletes this year where we can go to a BCS game if we stay focused and win games and get over that hump.

Theres no question the Commodores are making strides.

Last year, they lost to national champion Florida by six points, SEC West champion Arkansas by two and Alabama by three.

All that separated Vandy from ending its bowl-less streak was a two-point loss to Middle Tennessee State in 2005, the same year Vandy nearly upset Florida in two overtimes at the Swamp.

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson sees the progress. He hopes for the breakthrough season.

Yet hes also a realist.

Its just not Vanderbilt like it used to be where you got close, the end of the game, didnt win, Johnson said. We won some.

Our confidence is pretty high right now, but we also have to look at our schedule and be realistic.

For Bennett, who had 79 catches in 2005 and 82 last season, the SEC record is well within reach.

But the BCS? Maybe its better to be talking about the records.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.