Here are five things to watch for as Vanderbilt travels to Oxford, Mississippi to face off against No.12 Ole Miss.

Vanderbilt’s early energy

Vanderbilt’s bye week could go one of two ways. One that inspires confidence in the direction this is heading and one that does the opposite.

The way Clark Lea’s team responds to a week off will tell us something about how prepared his team is.

Does Vanderbilt use the bye week to rejuvenate itself and come out with its hair on fire? Or does it start its matchup with Ole Miss looking like it’s still in the middle of the bye.

Vanderbilt's pass rush

Vanderbilt's pass rush seemed to have a breakthrough of sorts in its 37-20 loss to Georgia.

With the Commodores' young talent on the defensive line, who's to say that the performance against the Bulldogs isn't something that they can build on?

If Vanderbilt's talented young players can take a step forward in its final four games, it could provide some real hope moving forward.

Can Vanderbilt unlock some explosiveness in its offense?

Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann had perhaps his best SEC game last season against the Rebels.

While the Rebels look to be improved as a whole, their defense has been susceptible to giving up some explosive plays. Particularly in their matchup with LSU in which the Tigers put up 49 points.

Lea's team doesn't have near that much explosion, but it could be an opportunity for veteran quarterback Ken Seals to show that he's more than a ball control and game managing quarterback.

Perhaps, he could keep Vanderbilt's offense in this one with some timely downfield throws.

Health

Lea seems to think that his group's health could be the biggest beneficiary of their bye week.

The Commodores look to be getting star safety De'Rickey Wright, linebacker Kane Patterson, right guard Jake Ketscheck and freshman corner Martel Hight back in Oxford. All four missed the Commodores' matchup with Georgia.

Vanderbilt will likely also be healthier as a whole after being able to rest banged up starters like London Humphreys, who played in Vanderbilt's matchup with Georgia but clearly wasn't 100%.

If all goes to plan, Vanderbilt should be a healthier, fresher team heading in to Oxford.

How does Vanderbilt respond to the environment?

A 6:30 kickoff in Oxford is no joke.

Vanderbilt will have to prepare for some real crowd opposition and adversity from as it travels to Ole Miss. Particularly its young players, who haven't played in an SEC environment at night.

Do the Commodores respond by rising to the occasion or getting overwhelmed by it?

That will likely play a significant role in whether this group holds its own on Saturday.