HOOVER, Ala. (AP) -- Vanderbilt coach James Franklin isn't backing down going into Year 2.
He says "the sky's the limit" for the Commodores and that there's an abundance of fan excitement around the program. Franklin took the podium Tuesday at Southeastern Conference media days with a bold recruiting pitch.
His message for recruits: "If you're truly the best and the brightest where else would you go?"
Franklin led the Commodores to six wins and their second bowl appearance since 1982 in his debut season.
With 17 returning starters, they'll get a chance quickly to show how much ground they've made up in the SEC East.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says Franklin has the Commodores believing "they can beat everybody they play." Vandy opens the season against the Gamecocks.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
