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Vandy football hit a new low last week when they sunk to #123 in Jeff Sagarin's NCAA ratings. Now, thanks in part to a win from early-season foe UMass, the Commodores have rejoined the top 120.
Vanderbilt rose to #119 after an undefeated week. Their small jump up the rankings can be attributed in part to an unlikely two-game winning streak from Massachsetts - a team the 'Dores narrowly beat in September. The Minutemen's win helped offset an embarrassing loss from the only other program Derek Mason has defeated as a head coach. Charleston Southern feel to Presbyterian 7-3 this weekend. For reference, Presbyterian lost to Northern Illinois and North Carolina State by a combined score of 97-3 this year.
20 FCS teams are currently ranked in front of the Commodores:
The Commodores were rated ahead of only two teams from BCS Conferences after week eight:
On the plus side, the trend is moving in the right direction for Derek Mason. UMass is proving to be a better team than expected, and while that's only the difference between a top 200 team and a top 150 one, it gives that win a bit more validity. Vanderbilt will return to action this Saturday with a road trip to #26 Missouri.