A Historical Rivalry
The Vanderbilt Commodores and Texas Longhorns have a long and storied rivalry that dates back to 1892. The two schools have met 56 times on the gridiron, with Texas holding a slim 29-25-2 advantage. The rivalry has been played in various locations, including Austin, Nashville, Dallas, and Houston.
Recent History
In recent years, the rivalry has been dominated by Texas. The Longhorns have won the last five meetings, including a 38-17 victory in 2021. Vanderbilt’s last win in the series came in 2016, a 38-36 thriller in Nashville.
The Matchup
The 2023 matchup between Vanderbilt and Texas is scheduled for September 16 in Austin. The Longhorns are a heavy favorite, as they are ranked No. 13 in the preseason polls while Vanderbilt is unranked.
However, the Commodores have a few things going for them. First, they have a talented quarterback in AJ Swann. Swann threw for over 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022. Second, Vanderbilt has a strong running game led by Ray Davis. Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Key Players
Here are some of the key players to watch in the 2023 Vanderbilt vs. Texas game:
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Vanderbilt:
- AJ Swann, QB
- Ray Davis, RB
- Elijah McAllister, WR
- Will Sheppard, DE
- De’Rickey Wright, CB
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Texas:
- Quinn Ewers, QB
- Bijan Robinson, RB
- Xavier Worthy, WR
- DeMarvion Overshown, LB
- Barryn Sorrell, S
Pain Points
Both Vanderbilt and Texas have some pain points that they need to address in order to be successful in 2023.
Vanderbilt:
- Vanderbilt’s defense struggled mightily in 2022, allowing over 400 yards per game. The Commodores need to improve their pass rush and secondary in order to compete with the top teams in the SEC.
- Vanderbilt also needs to find a way to generate more explosive plays on offense. The Commodores averaged just 5.5 yards per play in 2022, which ranked near the bottom of the SEC.
Texas:
- Texas’ offensive line was a major liability in 2022, allowing 30 sacks. The Longhorns need to improve their pass protection in order to keep Quinn Ewers upright.
- Texas also needs to find a way to replace Bijan Robinson, who is one of the best running backs in the country. Robinson rushed for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022.
Motivations
Both Vanderbilt and Texas have plenty of motivation heading into the 2023 season.
Vanderbilt:
- Vanderbilt is looking to build on its 5-7 record in 2022. The Commodores have not had a winning record since 2013.
- Vanderbilt is also looking to make a statement in the SEC. The Commodores have not finished in the top half of the SEC East since 2012.
Texas:
- Texas is looking to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 record in 2022. The Longhorns have not had a winning record since 2019.
- Texas is also looking to win the Big 12 championship for the first time since 2009. The Longhorns have not won a conference title since joining the Big 12 in 1996.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Both Vanderbilt and Texas need to avoid some common mistakes in order to be successful in 2023.
Vanderbilt:
- Vanderbilt needs to avoid turnovers. The Commodores committed 23 turnovers in 2022, which was one of the highest marks in the SEC.
- Vanderbilt also needs to avoid penalties. The Commodores committed 93 penalties in 2022, which was one of the highest marks in the country.
Texas:
- Texas needs to avoid injuries. The Longhorns have been plagued by injuries in recent years, and they need to stay healthy in 2023 if they want to be successful.
- Texas also needs to avoid complacency. The Longhorns are ranked No. 13 in the preseason polls, but they need to avoid taking any opponent lightly.
Pros and Cons
Vanderbilt
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Pros:
- Talented quarterback in AJ Swann
- Strong running game led by Ray Davis
- Experienced defense
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Cons:
- Inexperienced offensive line
- Struggled defensively in 2022
- Not much depth
Texas
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Pros:
- One of the best running backs in the country in Bijan Robinson
- Talented wide receiver corps led by Xavier Worthy
- Experienced defensive line
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Cons:
- Offensive line is a major liability
- Not much depth
- Prone to complacency
Prediction
The 2023 Vanderbilt vs. Texas game is a difficult one to predict. Texas is the clear favorite, but Vanderbilt has a few things going for it. Ultimately, I think Texas will win the game, but Vanderbilt will keep it close.
Texas 31, Vanderbilt 24