Mason took over the defense in 2015 and improved that side of the ball. Can he push the right buttons to put points on the board and make a bowl game in 2016? Will he have a job in 2017 if he can't?
In this space last year, Will asked a relatively simple question: can Vanderbilt compete again?
I know how you're going to respond. You'll dismiss it out of hand, point to last year's 53-28 thrashing in Knoxville, and make a snarky remark about "same old Vandy." I get it. The Commodores are 3-30 in their last 33 games against the Vols, have had a winning SEC record exactly once since 1982 (5-3 in 2012), and went 53 years between bowl wins.