Texas and Vanderbilt last played almost a century ago. They'll clash as ranked opponents Saturday
AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's been almost a century since Texas and Vanderbilt have played football against each other. Does that matter when the two hit the gridiron in Nashville on Saturday? No, but it's still pretty wild to think about.
Vanderbilt beat Texas 13-12 the last time they met in 1928, a game everyone surely remembers, and finished the season 8-2. Texas, under head coach Clyde Littlefield, finished 7-2 with its other loss coming 6-2 to SMU. Texas has also never won a game in Nashville and the Commodores are 8-3-1 against the Longhorns. Ninety-six years later, things aren't all that different (they actually are).
Ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2013, the No. 25 Commodores are looking for its second upset of the year over a top-five team having beat previously No. 1 Alabama 40-35 on Oct. 5. Vanderbilt held the Crimson Tide to 45 plays, something they'll try to do against the Longhorns with their steady ball-control offense.
No. 5 Texas may be without one of their weapons in the passing game, wide receiver Isaiah Bond. He's listed as doubtful on the latest Southeastern Conference injury report after playing last week against Georgia with an ankle injury he suffered in the Red River Rivalry game. Safety Andrew Mukuba is also doubtful after a knee injury against the Bulldogs.
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Expect running back Jaydon Blue to be more involved in the run game against the Commodores. While he caught seven passes with a 17-yard touchdown out of the backfield against Georgia, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the game got so "out of whack" with Georgia taking a 23-0 halftime lead that he was forced to call pass plays more often, leaving fewer opportunities for the backs to pack it.
Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander was upgraded to probable in the latest SEC injury report and it looks like the former LBJ star and Austin ISD all-time leading rusher will suit up and play.
The game kicks off at 3:15 p.m. from FirstBank Stadium in Nashville and will air on the SEC Network.