Texas Longhorns Way-Too-Early Opponent Preview: Vanderbilt Commodores

In the 2023 season, Big 12 team Texas had more wins against SEC teams than SEC team Vanderbilt. What is going to happen when the two face each other for the first time in 96 years?

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 has 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.

This newly formed team will try to repeat New Mexico State's success last year and get an SEC win to Nashville in 2024.

Vanderbilt Commodores

2023 Record: 2-10, 0-8 in SEC

Head Coach: Clark Lea

Offensive Leaders

Passing: QB Nate Johnson

2023 stats: 39 of 72 for 499 yards and 3 touchdowns with zero interceptions for Utah

Rushing: RB Sedrick Alexander

2023 stats: 96 attempts for 371 yards yards and four touchdowns.

Receiving: WR Will Sheppard

2023 stats: 47 receptions for 684 yards and eight touchdowns

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles: LB Langston Patterson

2023 stats: 66 tackles (36 solo)

Interceptions: LB CJ Taylor

2023 stats: 2 interceptions

Sacks: LB CJ Taylor

2023 stats: 3 sacks