Texas Longhorns vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Preview

The Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores will face off for the first time in 96 years on Saturdays.

Vanderbilt wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. (3) runs in a touchdown against South Carolina during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Vandyscfb 110522 An 008 / Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA

When the Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores first played each other, the Horns football program was only six years old. Back then, in 1899, the Commodores came out with a 6-0 win.

From 1905 to 1921, the teams played each other four times, and Texas failed to score in all of them. The last time Texas and Vanderbilt met? 1928.

A lot has changed in the past 96 years -- with the world, the programs, and college football in general. So what can we expect from this matchup in late October?

Vanderbilt wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. (3) runs in a touchdown against South Carolina during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Vandyscfb 110522 An 008 / Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA

Vanderbilt started the 2023 season strong, beating both Hawai'i and Alabama A&M at home, but its fate changed in week three when the Nashville school traveled to North Carolina to face Wake Forest and fell 36-20. From that point on, the Commodores lost every game of the season, conference and non-conference.

But Vanderbilt made some changes in this offseason. Including losing all three of its quarterbacks, but finding a new life in former Utah four-star quarterback Nate Johnson.

When New Mexico State upset Auburn in the last season, it officially accomplished what Vanderbilt had failed to do in eight tries: win an SEC game.

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea was so impressed he claimed to have watched the game "nine or 10 times." That wasn't all. When the Commodores' season ended, Lea announced neither offensive or defensive coordinators would be returning for another year.

While he named himself his own defensive coordinator, the offensive coordinator thought immediately went to New Mexico State's Tim Beck, who brought with him former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill and quarterback Diego Pavia.

Against everyone's expectations, Vandy thrived.

The Commodores are ranked for the first time since 2013 following three consecutive wins, including two against SEC teams. In Nashville, fans rushed the field after defeating No. 1 Alabama, shocking the nation.

The whole season has been solid for Vanderbilt, and its only conference loss so far has come against Missouri in an overtime fight. Will Texas be the one to crush this winning streak? Or will the Commodores keep climbing the AP Poll with another top-ranked win?

All will come down to the top-25 matchup on Saturday.

Vanderbilt Commodores

2024 Record: 6-2, 2-1 in the SEC

Head Coach: Clark Lea

Offensive Leaders

Passing: QB Diego Pavia

2024 stats: 102 of 154 for 1,391 yards and 11 touchdowns

Rushing: QB Diego Pavia

2024 stats: 118 attempts for 470 yards yards and three touchdowns.

Receiving: TE Eli Stowers

2024 stats: 33 receptions for 463 yards and two touchdowns

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles: LB Bryan Longwell

2024 stats: 36 (12 solo)

Interceptions: CB Alan Wright

2024 stats: one interception

Sacks: LB Nick Rinaldi

2024 stats: 3 sacks