Vanderbilt football could be in for a challenging season in 2018 after a handful of high-profile graduations, but oddsmakers like the Commodores’ chances of starting the season 1-0. The first round of lines for the upcoming college football season came out Monday, and BetOnline.AG has Derek Mason’s team listed as a six-point favorite against Middle Tennessee State in Vandy’s season opener:
That Week 1 matchup will pit two teams with rising quarterbacks against each other as Kyle Shurmur and Brent Stockstill butt heads. Shurmur has gotten the better of the Blue Raiders in each of the past two seasons, leading the ‘Dores to a 47-24 victory in 2016 and a 28-6 win last fall.