SEC Football 2008: Vanderbilt

Much has been made of Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson's striking resemblance to comedian Steve Martin. But it turns out the silver-haired coach can crack a joke every now and then, too.

Early in Johnson's session at SEC Media Days last week in Hoover, Ala., a reporter pointed out that his seventh season would make him the longest-tenured coach at Vanderbilt in the last 20 years.

"They said we couldn't do it," Johnson said, looking to his right with a big grin.

And while the Commodores are still 26 years removed for their last bowl appearance, fewer jokes are being cracked at Vandy's expense since Johnson took over in 2002.

"I knew what I was getting into when I came to Vanderbilt," said Johnson, who coached at Division I-AA Furman before heading to Nashville. "I knew it was going to be a long project. I think we made a lot of strides since we've been here."

It keeps getting better - relatively speaking, of course - for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt's 14-21 record over the last three seasons is the best since Gerry DiNardo went 14-19 from 1992 through '94. And it's the fourth-best three-year stretch for Vanderbilt in the last 35 years.

Vanderbilt's last three seasons are even more impressive considering the SEC is as good as it's ever been. Still, over that stretch, the Commodores defeated Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss (twice), Georgia and South Carolina. And they've been close to a few other upsets, too.

But if Johnson is to keep Vanderbilt's run going this year, he'll need to rely on his defense.

Six starters return on that side of the ball, led by cornerback D.J. Moore and safety Rashard Langford. In fact, all four return in the secondary, which could help the Commodores break in five new starters in the front seven - including a replacement for All-SEC linebacker Jonathan Goff - that helped Vandy rank 16th in the nation last year in total defense.

"We played well on defense last year," Johnson said. "We think we can be just as good on defense this year as we were last year."

Vanderbilt, which finished 5-7 last season, needs some major improvement on offense.

Gone are leading rusher and former Central High School star Cassen Jackson-Garrison and SEC all-time receptions leader Earl Bennett, as well as first-round draft pick Chris Williams and the rest of the offensive line.

Quarterback Chris Nickson will battle Mackenzi Adams for the starting job.

"We have two great quarterbacks that work well under pressure," said receiver George Smith. "I am confident in both of them."

Either will offer some help at the skill positions.

Receivers Sean Walker (20 catches, 270, three TDs) and Smith (32 catches, 397 yards, three TDs) are both back. So is former Jefferson County standout Former Jefferson County star Jeff Jennings, who appears to be the starter after recovering from a knee injury. Gaston Miller should provide depth, at tailback.

Still, as has been the case for years, Vanderbilt doesn't figure to have a talent advantage against anyone in the SEC.

That doesn't bother Johnson.

"I don't look at it that way," he said. "What we try to do is get our players to play as well as they possibly play and see how it's going to work out that day.

"Sometimes you can be a better football team, even though you don't have the better athletes. And that's what we're banking on every time we go out, that if we take care of our business, play as good as we can, we got a good chance of winning."

Drew Edwards may be reached at 865-342-6274.