Alabama returns to Nashville against changed Vanderbilt

Alabama travels to Vanderbilt on Saturday for its first game at FirstBank Stadium since the Commodores upset the Crimson Tide two seasons ago. Vanderbilt enters this meeting after beating Mississippi State 25-23 for its first SEC win of the season.

The Crimson Tide is coming off a 31-13 victory at LSU, a result that likely secured a College Football Playoff position if Alabama handles the rest of its schedule. Vanderbilt presents a different challenge than it did during the 2024 upset, when Diego Pavia helped Clark Lea’s program produce a 7-5 season and a bowl victory.

The Commodores improved to 10-3 in 2025 as Pavia became a Heisman Trophy contender. Pavia, tight end Eli Stowers and other key players then exhausted their eligibility, leaving Vanderbilt with significant rebuilding work entering 2026.

Vanderbilt opened this season 3-0 with victories over Austin Peay, Delaware and NC State. The Commodores then lost their first five SEC games, falling to Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Kentucky before breaking through at Mississippi State.

Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis is central to the rebuild. The five-star prospect from Nashville Christian Academy was initially committed to Georgia before choosing Vanderbilt, and he won the starting job after competing with Blaze Berlowitz.

Curtis did not start until Vanderbilt’s third game. Through nine games, he has thrown for 1,657 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Alabama will try to take advantage of his decision-making.

Lea’s program has taken a step back this season. Vanderbilt went 2-10, 5-7 and 2-10 during his first three seasons before its breakthrough with Pavia. Against Mississippi State, the Commodores finished a close conference game with a 25-23 victory.

Why it matters

Alabama is positioned for the College Football Playoff if it handles the rest of its schedule. Vanderbilt already has recent proof that it can upset the Crimson Tide, even though this roster is less accomplished than the 2024 team.

What to watch next

Alabama and Vanderbilt meet Saturday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.