Five Things We Want To See: Vanderbilt-Kentucky

With bowl hopes gone, it's hard for players, fans and even media to battle through the closing weeks of a bad season.

Now that the Vanderbilt Commodores bowl hopes have drowned in a season of injuries and issues we must all drudge forward through the final three games of the season as we all play out the string until recruting season begins in full. 

It's a miserable time for players, coaches, fans and yes, even those of us who cover the team. Coaches are tired of the same questions, fans are tired of reading the same coach speak and we are equally tired of asking those same questions week after week in light of the team's latst loss. 

It's avicious cycle that only winning can ultimately change, but even then we see coaches of winning teams- Nich Saban, cough, cough- take the media to task for perceived "dumb questions."

So once again this week, we take a look at five things we want to see form the Commodores this week, and hopefully these won't just be the same ole.

FIVE THINGS WE WANT TO SEE

 1) Players Having Fun: Now that all pressure if off it's time for these young student-athletes to go out and play the game they love and enjoy themselves. 

Win, lose or draw, go out and have fun guys and who knows what might happen. 

2) Derek Mason Smile: There's noi doubt this season has taken a toll on Derek Mason, and regardless of what the future holds, he is a good man who cares about his players and who I beleive has worked hard to produce at Vanderbilt. 

We saw him smile after the Commodores upset of Missouri and here's to hoping we get to see him do it again this week.  

3) Riley Neal Have Something Go His Way: The senior qurterback has been back and forth into the starting spot multiple times this season and he has played hard, if not well in his time behind center.  It's time something good happened for this young man in a Commodores uniform. WHat better than getting a conference win and putting Kentucky into a must win situation for the next two weeks in the process. 

4) Vaughn For The Win: Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a fiery, intense competitor on the fotball field and he has been the Commodores offensive MVP this season. He has a future at the next level and him having a great day in his last conference home game would be nice. 

5) Seniors Going Out In Style: This COmmodoers senor class has been part of good and bad. Bowl games and losing seasons alike, but they have stuck it out regardless and it would be nice to see them end their careers with back-to-back home wins in their final two games at Vanderbilt Stadium, then upset Tennessee in Knoxville to finish it. 

They have to get Kentucky first, and that means having fun, playing loose and smiling!