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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Derek Mason has flipped through a few college football previews and saw his Vanderbilt Commodores slotted around 118th in the country. Its not a number he likes, and theres only one way to change it: Win more games.Its very disrespectful to me, the coach said. This football teams got a huge chip on our shoulder.He says its taken the past two years to figure out who we are.We know who we are now. Were not worried about that, he said. Theres some things weve got to iron out with us and college football to help people understand what you get here on West End is going to be good football.After three straight bowl seasons, the Commodores have struggled in Masons first two years. The coach believes his team is ready to turn things around after a 4-8 season. Vandy has 42 juniors on the roster, along with eight starters back on offense and every starter back on defense.The Commodores lost two games by a total of four points, including a 9-7 loss to Florida.I know were better, Mason said.Here are some things to know about Vanderbilt:PASSING AND CATCHING: Mason isnt playing games at quarterback, making it clear Kyle Shurmur is his starter and Wade Freebeck the backup. Shurmur started the final five games last season as a freshman. His first two starts were wins over Missouri and Kentucky. He threw for 503 yards, with three of his five touchdowns coming in the season finale at Tennessee. C.J. Duncan is back from injury to help at receiver, but Trent Sherfield is expected to be the top pass-catcher.The receivers also spent about six weeks working with Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews. Mix that with a handful of tight ends, and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is hoping an offense that ranked 116th last year will be much improved.ANCHOR DOWN: Every starter is back on defense, where the Commodores improved last season with Mason acting as coordinator. Vandy ranked 28th nationally giving up 350.5 yards per game and 22nd in scoring defense allowing 21 points per game. Linebacker Zach Cunningham was All-SEC after racking up four sacks, four forced fumbles and 16 + tackles for loss. Nigel Bowden is back after an injury wiped out most of last season.SEASON OPENER: The first game has set the tone for the Commodores the past two seasons with last year featuring a 14-12 loss to Western Kentucky. Now Vanderbilt opens against SEC foe South Carolina on Sept. 1.KEY GAMES: Vanderbilt has a chance to avenge its loss to Western Kentucky on Sept. 24, a road game that follows a visit to Georgia Tech on Sept. 17. The SEC slate features road games at Kentucky (Oct. 8) and Georgia (Oct. 15). Home games include visits from Florida (Oct. 1), Mississippi (Nov. 19) and Tennessee (Nov. 26).PREDICTION: Vanderbilt should end a two-year bowl drought and could win seven games, which would match its total of the past two years combined.---Online:AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker Joe Ledley Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Ashley Williams Wales Jersey . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. http://www.soccerwalesstore.com/ . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Gareth Bale Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Joe Allen Wales Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. FFA CUP FINALMelbourne City v Sydney FCAAMI Park, MelbourneWednesday 30 November, 7:30pm kickoffROAD TO THE FINALMelbourne CityR32: Floreat Athena (WA) 1-2 Melbourne CityR16: Brisbane Strikers (Qld) 1-2 Melbourne CityQF: Melbourne City 4-1 Western SydneySF: Melbourne Victory 0-2 Melbourne CitySydney FCR32: Wollongong Wolves (NSW) 0-3 Sydney FCR16: Perth Glory 0-2 Sydney FC (after extra time)QF: Blacktown City (NSW) 0-3 Sydney FCSF: Canberra Olympic (ACT) 0-3 Sydney FCKEY MATCH-UPSBruno Fornaroli v Alex WilkinsonThe fringe Socceroo counted Fornaroli as a teammate last season but must mark the unbelievably talented Uruguayan on Wednesday night. Arriving at City mid-season, Wilkinsons work fixing Citys defence on the road to their semi-final last season was undervalued. Hes continuing the act with the Sky Blues, who have conceded just three times in eight games. But if anyone can breach Sydneys defence, its the free-scoring Fornaroli, who improved to seven goals this season on Sunday.Neil Kilkenny v Milos NinkovicNinkovic has been outstandding in Sydneys unbeaten run this season, which now stretches to 12 matches in the league and cup.dddddddddddd The Serbian was unremarkable on Saturday night against Adelaide but remains on Johnny Warren Medal-winning pace for his role linking Sydneys hard-working defence with a deadly attack. Who better to negate his impact than Kilkenny, the fulcrum of Citys ambitious 3-2-4-1 formation. The former Socceroo is a combative ball-winner whose dedication to defensive duties allows Citys attackers to shine.Michael Jakobsen v BoboCitys Danish defender is John van t Schips go-to man down back, whether operating as the sole centre-back or alongside Connor Chapman, who is enduring an indifferent season. And so it falls to the Danish title winner to mark Sydneys Brazilian frontman. Bobo has showed his ability to score different sorts of goals and contribute along Sydneys dynamic attack, so Jakobsen best be on guard. ' ' '