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Whisenhunt, Mason: Who faces tougher second season?

David Ammenheuser
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

In their first year of coaching football in Music City, Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt and Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason combined for just five wins. And 23 losses.

Duplicating those numbers a second season would likely cost both football coaches a chance to return for a third year. The Titans open their preseason schedule Friday in Atlanta; their first regular-season game is still four weeks away (Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay). Vanderbilt, just a week into training camp, opens its season on Sept. 3 against Western Kentucky.

Heading into this season, which coach faces the most daunting challenge? Here's a look at key categories facing both coaches. Which coach has the best chance of survival?

SCHEDULE

Vanderbilt has the stiffer schedule challenge. The Commodores' opponents posted an 85-66 (56.2 percent) record last season. Seven of their 12 opponents advanced to bowl games. A year ago, the Commodores opened with a lackluster performance in a 37-7 loss to Temple.  Winning the opener against Western Kentucky is key. So is beating Austin Peay and MTSU. Pulling an upset against an SEC foe would certainly help.

Whisenhunt's Titans have the seventh-easiest schedule in the NFL. Their opponents were 111-144-1 (43.5 percent). The schedule includes an opener against Tampa Bay (2-14) and a three-game midseason stretch against Jacksonville (3-13), Oakland (3-13) and Jacksonville again. Only three teams (Indianapolis, New England, Carolina) played in the playoffs last season.

Survival edge: Whisenhunt

DIVISION PROSPECT

The Commodores play in the SEC, arguably the country's toughest conference. They are projected to finish seventh in the Eastern Division and will be underdogs in every game with the possible exception of their Nov. 14 home game against Kentucky. A win over one of their other SEC foes, especially a win on Nov. 28 in Knoxville, would help Mason's cause.

Playing in the four-team AFC South, the Titans have an easier path of getting out of the cellar. Jacksonville was just one game better in the standings a year ago. Improving last season's 1-7 home record would certainly help.

Survival edge: Whisenhunt

QUARTERBACK PLAY

Although Marcus Mariota has yet to play a NFL game, he gives the Titans a better opportunity to improve.  Sophomores Wade Freebeck and Johnny McCrary are battling for the starting quarterback job at Vanderbilt. A year ago, the Titans used three quarterbacks and the Commodores used four. Neither Whisenhunt nor Mason will survive if they are forced to play quarterback roulette again.

Survival edge: Whisenhunt

FAN BASE EXPECTATIONS

The Titans have had just one winning season since 2008. Yet, the arrival of Mariota has increased the fan base's expectation for the upcoming season. The Vanderbilt fan base understands the Commodores don't have the depth and overall talent of the SEC powers. One win in the SEC, especially if it comes Nov. 28 in Knoxville, would go a long way to securing a third season in the West End for Mason.

Survival edge: Mason

NATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

The national pundits are not expecting much from either team. The media has predicted a last-place finish for Vanderbilt in the SEC East. No national publication has the Titans advancing above third place in the AFC South. Neither team is expected to advance to the postseason.

Survival edge: Draw

BOSS' EXPECTATIONS

Director of Athletics David Williams knows the tough hand that Mason was dealt: In 2014, Mason was a rookie head coach with very little time to put together his first recruiting class. The Commodores could show improvement on the field this season, but post another 3-9 season.

President Steve Underwood wasn't with the Titans when Whisenhunt was hired in January 2014. Although Underwood relies on General Manager Ruston Webster to make the team's personnel decisions, there would be a lot of pressure for a coaching change if the 2015 team does not show improvement on the field.

Survival edge: Mason

THE OUTLOOK

If Mason and Whisenhunt are to earn a third season in Music City, both programs must show improvement on the field. The Titans were outscored by 184 points last season, the second-highest margin in the NFL. The Titans lost their final 10 games, six of those by two touchdowns or more. Mason's teams must get off to a better start than 2014 (when they lost back-to-back games to Temple and Ole Miss by a combined 78-10 margin).  Both teams should show improvement this season, although the Titans and Whisenhunt have the best chance to improve upon last season's record.

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd. 

Vandy coach Derek Mason and Titans are entering their second season as football coaches in Music City.