The Vanderbilt Commodores. ESPN Game Day. All used in the same sentence. As the mysterious celestial object known as 31/Atlas cruises through the solar system, rest assured that legions of fans that follow the Alabama Crimson Tide are fixated with a more earthly phenomenon, one that has caught the college football universe by storm. The perfect storm. Never mind that astronomers are baffled as to exactly what 31/Atlas is, in the Alabama football universe, the immediate concern is more about a perennial cellar dwelling also ran Vanderbilt Commodore football team that set forth in motion a year ago the events that would eventually expose Alabama and play a significant role in the Crimson Tide’s omission from the CFB Playoff field. Only it wasn’t a fluke. The momentum the Commodores gained in their conquest of Alabama last season was a surprise to everyone not associated with Vanderbilt football. The Crimson Tide didn’t know what hit them, and the behavior of some Alabama players in the waning moments of the game bore witness to it. Alabama was surprised they lost. Vanderbilt was not surprised they won. The Commodores have tasted sporadic, yet fleeting episodes of success before, but this version seems like one that’s going to stick. Blame it on the transfer portal or, if you’re a long suffering Vandy supporter, be thankful for it. Commodore head coach Clark Lea has never wavered in his belief that Vanderbilt could compete at a high level, and like so many other programs have done, have used the portal to help usher in a new era of success for their long suffering gridiron woes. Alabama has no doubt had this game circled for a year now, but vengeful intent only lasts until you’re slapped in the face. Make no mistake, the Commodores descend on Tuscaloosa with a firm belief they’re going to win the football game, and rest assured Kalen DeBoer has prepared his Alabama team to be fully aware that their going to be involved in a knock down, drag out affair. This time, should the Crimson Tide prevail, there will be a celebration inside the locker room, because beating Vanderbilt now, in the modern era of college football, would be a cause of celebration. Unless you’re Vanderbilt, who have their collective thoughts on something much bigger, and losing to Alabama would be something that gets in the way of their professed ultimate goal….winning a national championship.