IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Vanderbilt predictions, keys to the game, players to watch

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns haven’t defeated the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores in almost a century, but it’s worth noting they have not battled since 1928. Vandy is one of the few programs to have a winning record against Texas, currently boasting an 8-3-1 record. And the 2024 Vanderbilt squad looks like some of those teams from the 1920s that won a lot of games.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY with code HOOKEM and get 50% off annual memberships!]

It’s a new era in Nashville, or at least in 2024, and FirstBank Stadium is no longer the home of an easy win. How do the Longhorns and Commodores match up? The Inside Texas staff offers keys to the game, players to watch, and score predictions in the Roundtable.

What do you want to see from Quinn Ewers this week to let you know he’s made strides since Georgia?

Eric Nahlin – Good fundamentals, good feel, and good decision-making, leading to accuracy and confidence. I’d like to see him throw the ball down the field, midrange, and beyond.

Justin Wells – Step up in the pocket, step into his throws, and fling it with confidence. Just get back in the saddle.

Ian Boyd – I want to see him step up in the pocket and hit throws down the field. Definitely the intermediate routes but hitting some posts would be a positive sign as well.

Joe Cook – This will be an opportunity to showcase a decent pocket presence and also find the medium distance throws that are in his comfort zone. Vanderbilt won’t want to get beat deep, so Ewers has to make sure he can beat them short and in the midrange.

Paul Wadlington – We won’t really know. Vanderbilt isn’t going to defend us the same way. But for what they do, he needs to have good recognition of shifting pre- and post-snap coverages. I’d like to see an accurate throw 20+ when it avails itself. Don’t self-sack.

Charlie Williams – Trust himself, step in the pocket, and throw the ball with confidence.

Which player on offense do you expect big things from against the Vanderbilt defense?

Eric Nahlin – Ryan Wingo. I don’t think their corners can hang with him. One of the WR’s will eat at minimum if Quinn is playing solid. The Vandy secondary has to rob Peter to pay Paul.

Justin Wells – Ryan Wingo. It’s his game to shine.

Ian Boyd – I keep expecting to see Ryan Wingo break out in a big way. Maybe Jaydon Blue this week though, he looked better in flashes against Georgia and may be ready to carry the load and get back to fall camp form.

Joe Cook – We’ll look up and see another standout game for Kelvin Banks and a nice bounce back from Cameron Williams as part of a solid running performance.

Paul Wadlington – Blue or Quintrevion Wisner should have some success running the ball.

Charlie Williams – Ryan Wingo. The freshman has had good games, but this will be his coming out party to join household names like Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith.

Diego Pavia is tough to stop. Who needs to bring their A-game to Nashville for the Longhorns to limit what the Commodore defense does well?

Eric Nahlin – I mentioned Barryn Sorrell in the ‘Five Key Longhorns‘ post. To not be redundant I’ll go with whoever starts between Liona Lefau and David Gbenda.

Justin Wells – The front 7 has to be gap sound vs. Vandy’s offense and utilize discipline. Give me Alfred Collins.

Ian Boyd – The wide side outside linebackers, presumably Trey Moore and Colin Simmons, need to be very good in contain. Pavia on the move in space with run/pass options has been a formula for trouble this season.

Joe Cook – Anthony Hill. It’s time to read the gaps and pick the right one over, and over, and over again No. 0.

Paul Wadlington – The Commodore defense doesn’t do a ton well. But stopping the Vandy offense is really key. It’s about assignment soundness more than any one player starring, but Anthony Hill needs to bring it.

Charlie Williams – The entire defense. Everyone needs to be locked in and play mistake-free, assignment football.

Texas A&M and LSU play in a game that has a lot of SEC and UT implications. What’s your prediction?

Eric Nahlin – LSU 31, A&M 30. Matching six-game winning streaks. Home game for Ags. We’ll get a 5/10 simulation of what Kyle Field will look like on Nov. 30.

Justin Wells – Texas A&M 45, LSU 42

Ian Boyd – I like how LSU is playing this season and I trust Garrett Nussmeier more than Conner Weigman, so I’ll take LSU 31-21.

Joe Cook – The Texas A&M D-line versus the LSU O-line is one of the trench battles of the season. I think the Aggies win at home at night. Both SEC teams from the Lone Star State continue their march toward a major showdown on November 30.

Paul Wadlington – We’re still gathering data points on both teams. Both lost early and have steadily improved some issues that were plaguing them. Should be a really tight game. No idea who takes it.

Charlie Williams – A&M 27-20. I hate to pick the Aggies but they are at home.

[Subscribe to the Inside Texas YouTube channel!]

Texas vs. Vanderbilt score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 31-17, Texas. I think Vandy will move the ball better in the 1st half than in the 2nd.

Justin Wells – 27-20, Texas.

Ian Boyd – 28-9, Texas.

Joe Cook – 28-10, Texas.

Paul Wadlington – 35-17, Texas.

Charlie Williams – 31-24, Texas. I think Vanderbilt will score and keep possession, making it a tough road win for the Longhorns.