ESPN.com's Chris Low Nails It

I commend this piece by Chris Low in the SEC Blog on ESPN.com.

Low is largely positive in his praise of the Commodores, but I think this analysis is dead on:

But there's something to be said for learning how to win the close games. That's the next step for these Commodores. Franklin has absolutely changed the culture. He's recruited better talent. He's upgraded the depth. This team plays with an edge that is a direct reflection of its head coach. 

Now comes the hardest part -- turning close losses into close wins.
 

As Low points out, Vanderbilt is just 1-7 in their last 8 SEC games, with their last 5 losses coming by just a combined 23 points. The Commodores are close and as soon as they win their first "big game" the rest of the conference will officially be on notice. Unfortunately, the first one is always the most difficult.