The Vanderbilt Commodores are a good team. Perhaps for this season, they cannot become a great one. The Alabama Crimson Tide is a good, but not-yet great team. Most importantly, Kalen DeBoer's team is getting better quickly. The Alabama Crimson Tide of the last two Saturdays bears no resemblance to the Alabama team that lost to FSU in August. What a difference a month makes.
How much Alabama has progressed will be tested in a tough schedule of games. For perspective, Vanderbilt has not beaten Alabama in back-to-back seasons since 1955 and 1956. Vandy came to Tuscaloosa, not only not in awe of the Crimson Tide, but expecting to win.