No. 5 Texas (6-1, 2-1 SEC) is set to face No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1) on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcasted on the SEC Network.
According to the latest betting odds from BetMGM, Texas is favored by 18.5 points.
In an intriguing historical context, Vanderbilt leads the all-time series with a record of 8-3-1, even though both teams have not clashed since 1928.
This matchup marks a significant moment since Texas has recently joined the Southeastern Conference, creating renewed interest in this matchup. The Longhorns, after a fall from their previously held No. 1 ranking, are eager to avoid another loss as they aim for a coveted position in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, the Commodores find themselves ranked for the first time since the conclusion of the 2013 season and could potentially secure their second-ever win over a top 5 AP-ranked team— the first being against then-No. 1 Alabama earlier this month.
A key factor in this game will be Vanderbilt’s ability to maintain possession of the football. The Commodores excel in this area, ranking 11th nationally with an average ball control time of 33 minutes per game, even managing to keep Alabama at bay for over 42 minutes during their significant upset. In contrast, Texas boasts the nation’s most formidable defense, allowing an average of just 237.3 yards and 9.7 points per game.
On the Texas side, attention is on quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has been dealing with questions about his performance following an abdomen strain that forced him to miss two games. Since his return, Ewers has struggled, notably in a loss to then-No. 5 Georgia, where he appeared anxious and troubled by the pass rush. If he does not improve, it will be interesting to see how quickly Texas coach Steve Sarkisian considers replacing him with Arch Manning.
For Vanderbilt, a standout player is quarterback Diego Pavia, a graduate transfer from New Mexico State. He has played a crucial role in the Commodores’ recent successes, helping his team stay ahead in wins against Alabama and Kentucky. Pavia has avoided turnovers, throwing only one interception, which ties Vanderbilt for the lead among Power 4 programs in turnover avoidance.
A few additional details to note: This will be Texas’s inaugural SEC road game, as their previous rivalry against Oklahoma took place in Dallas. The Longhorns have been plagued by sluggish starts, failing to score in the first quarter of their last two matches. Defensively, Texas leads the nation with 10 interceptions. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt enjoys a 4-0 home advantage against Texas in their historical encounters that date back to 1899. Notably, this matchup adds to Vanderbilt’s already challenging schedule, as it will be their fifth game this season against ranked opponents or teams receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll, where they have an impressive 4-1 record, their only loss coming in a double overtime thriller against then-No. 7 Missouri.