Oct 243 min read

Texas Longhorns Look to Rebound Against Upstart Vanderbilt

Texas-Vanderbilt — © Sara Diggins/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Fresh off an eye-opening loss at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs, the No. 5-ranked Texas Longhorns (6-1, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference) look to bounce back as they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to take on No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1) at 4:15 p.m. EST at FirstBank Stadium on Oct. 26.

The Longhorns are still in the thick of the SEC race and the College Football Playoff picture but must avoid becoming the Commodores' next upset victim. Vanderbilt enters the game ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2013.

What's at Stake?

Texas is trying to avoid back-to-back losses and keep its SEC title hopes alive. While winning the conference isn't completely necessary for the Longhorns to make the 12-team playoff field, a loss could prove detrimental to their cause. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt can jump over Texas in the SEC standings and vault itself into a second-place tie with a win.

Key Players: Vanderbilt

Offense

QB Diego Pavia

Pavia, a transfer from New Mexico State where he played under Vanderbilt chief consultant/offensive advisor Jerry Kill, has been one of the pleasant surprises this season. He was especially vital in the Commodores' win over No. 15 Alabama (5-2, 2-2) on Oct. 5. He accounted for over 300 total yards and 2 touchdowns in that game and has thrown for 1,391 yards with 11 touchdowns and just 1 interception overall. He is also Vanderbilt's leading rusher.

RB Sedrick Alexander

Alexander has already eclipsed his rushing totals from last season. He is Vanderbilt's second-leading rusher with 480 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is also an Austin, Texas, native and could be hungry to perform against his hometown university.

TE Eli Stowers

Stowers leads the Commodores with 463 yards and 2 touchdowns on 33 catches. He's another New Mexico State transfer who has substantially impacted the Vanderbilt offense.

Defense

LB Bryan Longwell

Longwell leads Vanderbilt with 45 tackles. He also has 1.5 sacks and an interception. His best game came in a double-overtime loss to No. 21 Missouri on Sept. 21 when he had 12 tackles and a sack.

LB Langston Patterson

Patterson has 36 tackles this season, with his best games coming against the top completion. He had 11 tackles against Missouri and 7 tackles against No. 15 Alabama on Oct. 5.

Key Players: Texas

Offense

QB Quinn Ewers

The Texas quarterback situation has been in the national spotlight all season. Arch Manning replaced an injured Ewers for a few games before he returned for the Red River Rivalry. Ewers was briefly benched on Oct. 19 against Georgia but returned to lead a second-half comeback that fell short. He has thrown for 1,101 yards with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Offensive Line

Center Jake Majors and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. are the pro prospects here, but the unit as a whole makes this list this week because they struggled against Georgia. While Ewers was benched, the offensive line's ineffectiveness made things difficult for the Longhorns as it allowed 7 sacks by the Bulldogs. They'll have to be much better from now on.

RB Quintrevion Wisner

While Jaydon Blue has more touchdowns, Wisner has emerged as the lead-back for the Longhorns. He's up to 330 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns and has 258 yards in SEC play.

WR Isaiah Bond

Bond is Texas' top wide receiver and one of four Longhorns with over 300 yards on the season. Bond leads the team with 380 yards and 4 touchdowns and is one of the country's fastest receivers.

Defense

LB Anthony Hill Jr.

It seems like Hill's name is mentioned constantly. He shows up all over the field for the Longhorns and is their best defensive player. He has a team-high 50 tackles this year with a team-best 5.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

LB/DE Colin Simmons

Simmons is a pass-rushing specialist at this point in his career. The freshman has 4 sacks and a forced fumble in his debut season.

DB Jahdae Barron

Barron leads the Longhorns with 3 interceptions and came up with the big turnover to get the Longhorns back in the game against Georgia after the officials controversially overturned a pass interference call in the third quarter.