New coach Franklin has Commodores flying high
Steve Spurrier took a liking to first-year Vanderbilt coach James Franklin when the two met at June's Southeastern Conference spring meetings in Destin, Fla.
"I think he's an excellent coach," Spurrier said. "I met him at the meetings and so forth. He seems like a really good guy.
"I admire him because he doesn't come to the meetings and do all the talking like some of the other coaches do. He and I sort of get along together fine about that."
Even if Franklin was quiet then, he did plenty of talking in the weeks and months after his hiring by the SEC's longtime doormat. Everywhere he went, Franklin was adamant about his vision for Vanderbilt, insisting the program could and would rise above its less-than-storied history and become a force to be reckoned with in what is considered the nation's best conference despite having just 11 winning seasons and four bowl appearances since finishing the season No. 12 in 1948.
Franklin, the former coach-in-waiting at Maryland, wasn't Vandy's first choice. The call only came to Franklin after Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn got a raise to remain on the plains. But once Franklin was in Nashville, he told everyone who would listen that Vanderbilt football was going to emerge as a contender in the SEC.
Three games in, the Commodores are backing up Franklin's bold talk off the field — Franklin has secured commitments from numerous high profile recruits — and on it.
Vanderbilt is 3-0 for the first time in three seasons. The Commodore defense leads the nation in interceptions with 10, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. Franklin is off to the best start by a new Vanderbilt coach since World War II.
"Vandy comes in probably as up and upbeat and ready to play as they've ever been since I've been here (at USC) for seven years," Spurrier said.
If that's the case, given the difficulties the Gamecocks have had with Vanderbilt in recent years, there might be cause for concern. The Commodores have defeated USC twice in the last five seasons. Vandy won in Columbia against the then-No. 6 Gamecocks in 2007 and repeated the feat at home in Nashville, Tenn., in 2008.
USC has won two straight in the series, but both have been rather haphazard victories. The Gamecocks needed a fourth quarter rally for a come-from-behind 14-10 win in 2009 and a late touchdown from Alshon Jeffery last fall to seal an ugly 21-7 triumph.
Those experiences mean that even if Vandy's 3-0 start has come against an FCS team (Elon), a Big East team (1-2 UConn) and scuffling Ole Miss (1-2), and even if the Commodores haven't won a conference title since 1923, the Gamecocks won't be overlooking the Commodores.
"It's going to be a tough challenge for our team at this time," Spurrier said.
Added offensive lineman Kyle Nunn: "They've beaten us a couple of times since I've first got here. They're competitive in the SEC ... you can't really discount any team."
Behind redshirt senior Larry Smith, Vandy has played well on offense so far. But it has won games with its defense. Besides the 10 interceptions, the unit is fourth overall in the SEC for total defense, third in third-down defense and leads the SEC in sacks (eight) and turnover margin (plus-six).
Spurrier said Vanderbilt appears to take a lot of pride in its defense, which, according to Spurrier, looks "as good as any defense in the nation right now."
"They're playing fundamentally sound; they tackle well; they look like they're in great shape; they hustle," Spurrier said. "That's how you play good defense. You're in position."
The concept of positioning is also an important one for South Carolina, albeit in a different manner. As the Gamecocks go about trying to repeat as Eastern Division champions and win their first league title since joining the SEC in 1992, they understand they must win as many conference games as possible, especially against division foes like Vanderbilt.
"It's a ring game for us," said center T.J. Johnson. "This game is just as important as any game, much less an SEC game. So we can't take Vanderbilt lightly at all."
Spurrier said one thing that stands out to him is how Vanderbilt seems to enjoy playing football. He said it is obvious the Commodores are having fun, mainly because their play and Franklin's philosophy are allowing them to.
"And the way you have fun is playing it the right way," Spurrier said. "You don't have fun making a whole bunch of mistakes ... you've got to play it the right way."
Spurrier said he hopes the Gamecocks can begin to play that way — having fun by playing the game the way he feels they can. Johnson agreed, saying the team realizes that is key to achieving its dreams.
"Our goal is to win the SEC Championship," Johnson said. "We want a ring too."
Thing is, so does Vanderbilt. Whether or not the Commodores have the depth and talent to sustain their hot start remains to be seen. But with the recent success and the breath of fresh air Franklin has brought into the program, Vanderbilt likely feels like it can.
"I don't know how you could not take them seriously," Johnson said.
"They're coming in with a lot of confidence, a lot of fire," Spurrier said. "We'll see if we can match it."