Vanderbilt 2018 Betting Preview: Derek Mason Is Coaching for His Job

Vanderbilt 2018 Betting Odds

• To win the National Title: +400000
• To win the SEC: +50000
• To win the SEC East: +8500
• Win Total: 4.5 (over +100, under -130)

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Vanderbilt 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 4.2

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Vanderbilt Under 4.5 Wins (-130)

Head coach Derek Mason is on the hot seat entering 2018 and the market isn't too keen on his chances to stay, as Vandy's win total sits at 4.5.

One positive is that the Commodores ranks third in APR ratings, meaning there's an outside chance they could get to a bowl game with five wins. Plus, their November schedule (Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee) will give Mason an opportunity to save his job.

But Vanderbilt ranks 108th overall in returning production and suffered big losses on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Kyle Shurmur is back under center behind six returning offensive lineman, but the skill positions are all a question mark.

Shurmur did throw 26 touchdowns against just 10 picks in 2017 while averaging a respectable 7.4 yards per attempt.

Last year the Commodores started 3-0 and had plenty of contrarians lining up to bet them against Alabama in Week 4. One 59-0 loss later and things were never the same for the Vandy defense.

Justin Tarver was hired as defensive coordinator and he's got a mammoth task ahead of him. Vandy allowed 6.0 yards per play last season, second-worst in the SEC.

You should have a pretty good idea about the Vanderbilt win total after September. The Commodores have three winnable games against Middle Tennessee, Nevada and South Carolina that month, but all three of those teams have dynamic offenses.

There's really only one surefire victory on this schedule, so I think there's value in backing Vandy to go Under 4.5 wins (-130).

What else you need to know about Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt has lost its last six games after a bye week going back to 2014. This applies against Missouri on Nov. 10.

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