The Nigh Seen Creeder

Even though I didn't go to Vanderbilt University (I did make use of their library quite a bit when I was a grad student), I've always had great respect for the school for not compromising their academic standards in order to be more successful on the football field.

I think I was 11-years-old the last time Vanderbilt's football team was nationally-ranked. I was even younger the last time Vandy had a winning record. Vanderbilt has flirted with "greatness" over the years ("greatness" in Vandy's case meaning 6 or more wins), but they've just never been able to get the close-game balls to bounce their way. And, as any Vandy fan can tell you, there've been a lot of close-game balls that haven't bounced their way.

Vanderbilt is now ranked 19th in most national polls, and I couldn't be prouder of my hometown's SEC team. I'm so proud, in fact, that I purchased tickets for this Saturday's Vandy-Auburn showdown. I've been to literally dozens of Vandy home football games over the years, but I've only purchased tickets to two games: Middle Tennessee State U. in '01 (I was cheering against Vandy in that one) and Auburn in '08. If I didn't think Vandy had a good chance to beat Auburn this weekend, I wouldn't have bought the ticket. Indeed, I'm picking Vandy to win 24-21.

I ain't the only one who's predicting that Vandy's gonna win this week. The folks at The Sporting News are also betting long on Vanderbilt football these days. Here's what TSN has to say:

Revenge of the nerds? Maybe. The scholars at Duke, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt have combined for a 12-1 record and are thinking bowl games. Will they get there? Let's analyze the road ahead ...

Vanderbilt (4-0, 2-0 SEC)

Should beat: The ride continues two more weeks (Auburn at home, then Mississippi State on the road). Count Duke and Tennessee as Ws.

Won't beat: Georgia, Kentucky and Wake Forest will pin road losses on Vandy, and Florida will win in Nashville.

Bowl/Record: Liberty (8-4)

You know, I ain't so sure that Vandy's gonna lose on the road to Kentucky (the Wildcats came within one yard of losing to Middle Tennessee); and I wouldn't count Vandy out at Wake Forest (WF lost at home to Navy, after all). Hell, it ain't inconceivable that Vanderbilt might win 10 games this year.

If Vanderbilt's football team has a winning season and goes to a bowl game, I'm gonna buy me some paraphernalia and wear it with pride. If Vandy wins 10 games, I'll not only gonna buy some Vandy **** and wear it with pride, I might just tell folks I went to school there. I'll be such a proud little liar!