Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day Monday, July 11, 2016, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)VANDERBILT
Last season: 4-8 (2-6 SEC)Opener: Sept. 1 vs. South Carolina (8 p.m. on ESPN)Fun fact: The Commodores nearly played before as many fans (188,388) in their final two road games against Florida and Tennessee last season as they did in their six home games (192,802).
With the smallest alumni base and the fewest number of bowl appearances among the 14 member schools in the Southeastern Conference, the Vanderbilt Commodores are accustomed to being overlooked.
Junior inside linebacker Zach Cunningham is a shining example.
The 6-foot-4, 238-pounder from Pinson, Ala., was a unanimous All-SEC first-team selection last December after compiling 103 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Cunningham averaged 10.5 tackles a game against league competition, but when preseason balloting was released this month after media days in Hoover, Ala., he had been relegated to a second-team spot.
“That isn’t something I really focus on, whether I’m underrated or not,” Cunningham said. “I just want to go out there and play my best. I’m not really focused on being the guy that they write headlines about. I just want to go out there and do my best and show what I can do.”