Year one of Vanderbilt's conversion from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense under head coach Derek Mason didn't fare so well - but the jury's out as to whether it was an issue of scheme or just an influx of new starters that hamstrung the Commodores last season. Now, nine returning starters and a more hands-on approach from Mason himself should have Vandy trending upwards for 2015.
Vanderbilt allowed more than 33 points per game last season. They ranked 72nd nationally when it came to yards per game. This was a major letdown for Commodore fans who expected the mastermind behind Stanford's top-20 defenses to overcome massive player losses and stand up to SEC offenses en route to a fourth-straight bowl game.