Texas Longhorns Face Tough Test Against Vanderbilt Commodores This Weekend

AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 20 Texas Longhorns (6-2) will host the No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores (7-1) on Saturday, November 1, at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. This game comes after the Longhorns’ nail-biting 45-38 victory over Mississippi State last weekend.

However, the Longhorns may be without star quarterback Arch Manning, who is currently in concussion protocol following his injury in last week’s game. If Manning cannot play, backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell will lead the team. Caldwell had a standout performance in the overtime win against the Bulldogs, throwing the game-winning touchdown.

Vanderbilt is also riding high, coming off back-to-back victories against SEC opponents, including a 17-10 win against Missouri and a 31-24 win over No. 10 LSU. They have emerged as serious contenders not just in the SEC, but also for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

The game is set to kick off at 12 p.m. ET (11 a.m. CT) and will be broadcast live on ABC. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will provide commentary, while Molly McGrath reports from the sidelines. Fans can also stream the game on the ESPN app or through other platforms that carry ABC.

As the Longhorns prepare for this highly anticipated matchup, they will need to tighten their defense, which has allowed a concerning amount of points in recent games. How well they perform against the Commodores can significantly impact their standing.

Vanderbilt’s offense, led by quarterback Diego Pavia, is expected to pose a challenge for Texas, especially if the Longhorns’ defense struggles as it has done in previous weeks. The outcome of this game is uncertain, making it a crucial moment for both teams in their playoff aspirations.