In what is one of the more anticipated matchups of the college football Week 6 slate, Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will play host to a ranked SEC showdown this Saturday afternoon between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Vanderbilt Commodores.
A series in which the Crimson Tide have dominated historically, Vanderbilt is however the team coming off a recent victory in the matchup, as the Commodores upset Alabama a year ago in Nashville, 40-35, in a result that shocked the college football world.
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Looking ahead to this season, Vanderbilt is now arguably an even better team than that 2024 Commodores team, a group that is still led by some of the top names from a year ago. Do the Commodores have what it takes to defeat a Top 25 Alabama team for the second consecutive season though, this time in Tuscaloosa?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Vanderbilt Commodores ahead of their trip to Tuscaloosa this Saturday.
Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 team overview
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A detail view of a Vanderbilt Commodores helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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Stadium: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
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Record: 5-0 overall (1-0 SEC)
The Vanderbilt Commodores come to Tuscaloosa undefeated at 5-0 overall this season, while also 1-0 in SEC play. At the moment, Vanderbilt ranks as the nation’s No. 17 team in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, as well as No. 16 in the AP Poll.
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Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 coaching staff
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea works with his team against Georgia State during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Offensive Coordinator: Tim Beck
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Defensive Coordinator: Steve Gregory
The head coach at Vanderbilt is Clark Lea, who is currently in year five with the Commodores owning a combined 21-33 overall record. Tim Beck as returns as Vanderbilt’s offensive coordinator, while Steve Gregory is new on the defensive side of the ball, previously serving as the Commodores associate defensive coordinator a year ago.
Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 offensive stats
Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander (28) celebrates his touchdown against Georgia State during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Points Per Game: 49 (No. 4 in FBS)
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Total Yards Per Game: 494.4
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Passing Yards Per Game: 271
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Rushing Yards Per Game: 223.4
Likely the strength of the Vanderbilt Commodores is their offense, one that currently ranks No. 4 nationally with an average of 49 points scored per game. Vanderbilt also has one of the SEC’s top rushing offenses that is averaging 223.4 yards per game, a total that ranks No. 2 in the conference.
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Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 defensive stats
Aug 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores edge rusher Miles Caper celebrates the tackle for loss with linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) and defensive lineman Khordae Sydnor (96) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Points Per Game Allowed: 17.2 (No. 31 in FBS)
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Total Yards Per Game Allowed: 278.8
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Passing Yards Per Game Allowed: 199
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Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed: 79.8
Defensively, the Commodores have also been solid this season allowing only 17.2 points per game to opponents, a total which ranks No. 31 nationally. Vanderbilt is also allowing only 79.8 rushing yards per game to opponents this season, a number that ranks No. 3 in the SEC.
Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 offensive players to know
Aug 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs onto the field against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Diego Pavia, Quarterback, Graduate Student
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Sedrick Alexander, Running Back, Junior
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Eli Stowers, Tight End, Graduate Student
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Junior Sherrill, Wide Receiver, Junior
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Brock Taylor, Kicker, Junior
Vanderbilt’s offense looks very familiar to the group that defeated Alabama a year ago in Nashville, led by starting quarterback Diego Pavia with a SEC-best 13 passing touchdowns and a 184.6 passer rating. Other familiar names from a year ago such as Sedrick Alexander and Eli Stowers are also back in starting roles, as is wide receiver Junior Sherrill, who has five receiving touchdowns so far this season.
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Vanderbilt Commodores 2025 defensive players to know
Vanderbilt edge Miles Capers (29) celebrates sacking Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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Miles Capers, Edge Rusher, Graduate Student
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Nick Rinaldi, Linebacker, Senior
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CJ Heard, Safety, Sophomore
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Bryan Longwell, Linebacker, Junior
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Martel Hight, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Junior
Concluding with a look at Vanderbilt’s defense, the Commodores are led by one of the SEC’s top pass rushers in Miles Capers, who sits atop the conference 7.5 TFL this season. Vanderbilt’s top two tacklers are safety CJ Heard and linebacker Bryan Longwell, both of which also have an interception so far this season.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Week 6 team, roster preview
