Per Tennessean:
Vanderbilt's defense lacks the athletes to keep up with SEC receivers, the kind of talent deficit that's near impossible to cover up with scheme. Though the Commodores defense played relatively well early, stopping the run, the Rebels realized out of halftime that their best strategy was to simply constantly throw downfield, knowing Vanderbilt would not be able to stop it.
The thing that keeps this from being an F is that the defense made a few big plays, including two interceptions from De'Rickey Wright and a fourth-down stop in the Commodores' territory. It also continued to excel in short yardage, something that's been a strength all season. However, Vanderbilt's biggest weakness led to another gashing once Ole Miss began to air it out.
Vanderbilt's defense lacks the athletes to keep up with SEC receivers, the kind of talent deficit that's near impossible to cover up with scheme. Though the Commodores defense played relatively well early, stopping the run, the Rebels realized out of halftime that their best strategy was to simply constantly throw downfield, knowing Vanderbilt would not be able to stop it.
The thing that keeps this from being an F is that the defense made a few big plays, including two interceptions from De'Rickey Wright and a fourth-down stop in the Commodores' territory. It also continued to excel in short yardage, something that's been a strength all season. However, Vanderbilt's biggest weakness led to another gashing once Ole Miss began to air it out.
