SEC Power Rankings for 2018 college football preseason

To nobody’s surprise, the Vanderbilt Commodores are the worst team in our SEC Power Rankings with a returning head coach. Derek Mason could be on the hot seat this year if things don’t go well. However, the continuity has to count for something.

And they would only be one spot lower, at No. 12, if coaching changes weren’t factors here. So keeping the ‘Dores at No. 11 to start the season is not a crazy thought. The goal for this team, though, has to be to reach a bowl game again in a very down SEC East.

Heading into the year, Vandy is looking to have an explosive offense for the first time under Mason. Maybe combining that with his defensive coaching skills could take this team to new heights. Simply put, they enter the year with as many questions and as much potential as any middle of the pack team in the conference.

Opening the season against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders is actually a decent test for this team. After all, MTSU went 7-6 last year, and they have had three straight winning seasons under Rick Stockstill and five in six years, including four in five years since joining the Conference USA. They’ve gone six straight years without a losing season.

Winning the game won’t do much to vault them here, but it’ll be a nice confidence builder against a solid team. Hosting the Nevada Wolf Pack the next week before visiting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish make for a solid, early and tough non-conference schedule.