The term “Bye Week” is such a misnomer in the world of modern college athletics. Most professional teams will give the athletes an entire week off from formal practices and training. For college athletes, they almost always have to be on campus all week for classes anyway, and they need the extra practices as part of their developmental process. The term “Open Date” has become a common term to be more accurate.
The first Vanderbilt football open date comes at a good time after a 55-3 drubbing Tuscaloosa. The other people that benefit from the brief reprieve are those of us who try to conjure enough semi-intelligent thought to discuss the team every week.