Vanderbilt football's nonconference slate is done, with the real test about to begin.
The Commodores (3-0) are unbeaten, but things haven't been easy, with a miracle fumble recovery needed to defeat NC State a week after trailing Delaware at halftime.
SEC play kicks off against Auburn on the road Sept. 26 (3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network).
Among various Vanderbilt position groups, here have been the ones that have most exceeded expectations, and the ones that have disappointed the most for coach Clark Lea's squad:
Better than expected
The pass rush
Vanderbilt's pass rush returned productive veterans Miles Capers and Nick Rinaldi, but Khordae Sydnor graduated, leaving an open spot.
So far, the pass rush has been arguably even better than last season. The Commodores' 12 total sacks are tied
for third in the SEC. Rinaldi already has 3.5 sacks, and the pass rush has also come from outside the traditional edges. CJ Heard and Yilanan Ouattara each has two sacks.
This all has come despite Brian Allen Jr., one of Vanderbilt's top transfers from Iowa, being banged-up. Allen has recorded just three tackles and one sack.
Freshman contributions
It isn't just Jared Curtis, though he has impressed in the early going outside of a few freshman mistakes, going 41-for-65 for a 63.1% completion percentage and four touchdowns.
Mason Lewis has worked his way into a starting role as the "star," Vanderbilt's hybrid linebacker/safety position. He is already third on the team with 13 total tackles.
Mitchell Smith has worked his way into the rotation on the offensive line as a true freshman, something that has been extraordinarily rare during Lea's tenure. Evan Hampton and Bishop Starling have seen some playing time, too, even though their statistics have been minimal.
Tristen Brown
With the production that Vanderbilt lost at receiver, someone was going to need to step up. That person appears to be Brown, who has become the Commodores' No. 2 receiver, catching seven balls for 106 yards. The junior has beaten out other options like Ja'Cory Thomas, Brycen Coleman, Cole Adams and Kayleb Barnett.
Worse than expected
Transfers on offense
Vanderbilt took several transfers to try to shore up its offense after the departure of Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers. Many of them have disappointed.
Receivers Cole Adams and Thomas haven't been able to find a consistent role. The transfer offensive linemen haven't jelled right away.
The good news has been the transfer tight ends have largely worked out. Jayvontay Conner has 11 catches for 126 yards, second-most on the team. Walter Taylor has become a red-zone threat, while Maurice Veney is a useful blocking tight end.
Discipline and penalties
The penalties have been one of the biggest drivers of disappointing play . Vanderbilt lost more than 100 yards in penalties against NC State, turning what should've been an easy statistical advantage in yards per play and success rate into a game needing a last-second miracle.
That has been part of the issue with the offensive line; perhaps more time to develop chemistry will help.
The run game
Vanderbilt has three experienced running backs in Sedrick Alexander, Makhilyn Young and Jamezell Lassiter. But Alexander leads running backs with just 153 yards in three games. Quarterbacks have scored three rushing touchdowns, which is as many as the running backs have.
Part of the issue is that the Commodores have faced second-half deficits in two of their three games, forcing them to pass more frequently, but even in that context, the run game, which was supposed to be one of Vanderbilt's strengths, has been disappointing.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football's best surprises and biggest disappointments so far
