Vanderbilt opens the SEC football season with a week-0 matchup against Hawaii. What does Vanderbilt need in this one to show they will be in the thick of it for a bowl?
The Vanderbilt Commodores will open up the season against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at home. A.J. Swann will have complete control of the offense this season after splitting duties with Mike Wright last season. Will Sheppard only looks to get better after last season where he had 60 receptions and 9 TDs.
Vanderbilt vs Hawaii 2023 Week 0 game preview
Vanderbilt’s offense will be able to explode against Hawaii. In all likelihood, the Commodores’ offense will look a lot better in the first two weeks of the season as they play the Rainbow Warriors and Alabama A&M. Swann will have a chance to show the full competence of the air attack that will be needed to beat the lower rated teams in the SEC which will allow the squad to go bowling this season.
If the passing game isn’t able to explode this season then it will be very hard for the Commodores to improve this season. Ray Davis has transferred to Kentucky and Swann is not a duel-threat QB by any means. Being able to show the dominance of the passing offense against an improving defense like Hawaii will go a long way toward the Commodores’ confidence.
Prediction: Vanderbilt: 45 Hawaii: 7
The Commodores will coast to an easy victory. Vanderbilt’s offense will be on fire with the weapons that AJ Swann has. Hawaii will not be able to contain the Commodores’ pass rush. Vanderbilt will most likely take care of business against Hawaii early.
Even if this game ends up being close, it will show that the Commodores will need to improve on their play if they want any chance of beating Florida, Missouri, Auburn, or Wake Forest later on in the season. If the Commodores take care of their non-conference schedule, in all likelihood these will be the games that determine where Vandy is bowl eligible this season.