With a bowl win, this season might go down as the greatest season in Vanderbilt
history. This was the first Commodores squad ever to beat Florida, Tennessee and
Georgia in the same season. Finishing the regular season 8-4, Vanderbilt fans were
hoping for a selection to play in the Gator Bowl. However, not only did the Gator Bowl
pass on them for a team the Commodores defeated, but James Franklin’s team slipped
all the way down to being the 10th SEC team chosen and landed in the BBVA Compass
Bowl.
The Houston Cougars also finished the season with an 8-4 record with all four losses by
a combined 20 points. The Cougars are most known for their offense originally installed
by Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin. However, it was the Cougars defense that
carried them in 2013, finishing 16th in the FBS in scoring defense.
Will the Commodores once again prove that they are here to stay? Or will the Cougars
cap the season with a win over an SEC team?
Why Houston can win this game
Freshman quarterback John O’Korn has emerged as a true star, passing for 2,889
yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. His favorite target is former 5-star
recruit Deontay Greenberry, who has 76 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Cougars are not world-beaters on offense, but they can make enough plays on
offense to keep this game close.
However, if they want to win this game, they
are going to need another big game from
their defense. The Cougars have played two
nationally ranked teams this season, UCF
and Louisville, and held them to 19 and 20
points, respectively.
Houston will be facing a Commodores
offense that will be without starting
quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels. Freshman Patton Robinette will once again get the
start for Vanderbilt. For the season, Robinette has completed 40 of 69 passes for 488
yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.