NASHVILLE — Every win in the SEC is important. Vanderbilt over Ole Miss, though? That was a big win for Derek Mason and Vanderbilt.
In Mason’s three seasons at the helm, the Commodores were 3-9 in 2014 and 4-8 in 2015; they’re 5-6 this season with one regular-season game remaining and bowl eligibility on the line. But even if Vanderbilt doesn’t beat Tennessee on Saturday, the Commodores would be one of the first five-win teams to be invited to a bowl because of their high APR score.
That’s one reason last week’s 38-17 win was important. Another reason is that it has quieted any talk about Mason possibly losing his job.