RELATED CONTENT:

No. 5 Texas playing No. 25 Vanderbilt for first time since 1928, high stakes for both

By the Associated Press

No. 5 Texas (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) at no. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1), Saturday, 4:15 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas by 18 1/2.

Series record: Vanderbilt leads 8-3-1.

What is at stake?

These teams have not met since 1928 and are now reunited with Texas joining the Southeastern Conference. The Longhorns fell from their No. 1 and can’t afford another loss as they chase a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Commodores are ranked for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. They can close out October with their second win over an AP Top 5 team — the first came in the 61st attempt when they beat them back then. 1 Alabama earlier in the month.

Key match

Vanderbilt’s ability to hold the ball and play in the gap is its greatest strength. The Commodores rank 11th nationally in holding the ball 33 minutes per game, and they held it off Alabama for more than 42 minutes to earn their first win over a top-ranked team. Texas counters with the nation’s best defense in both holding opponents to 237.3 yards and just 9.7 points per game.

Players to watch

Texas: QB Quinn Ewers continues to be a constant question. After missing two starts with an abdominal strain, he hasn’t looked good in the two games since returning. He has struggled very badly in the loss to Texas since then. 5 Georgia when he looked shaky and rattled by the Bulldogs’ pass rush. If he struggles again, how quickly will Texas coach Steve Sarkisian retire him for Arch Manning?

Vanderbilt: QB Diego Pavia. The graduate transfer from New Mexico State is the main reason the Commodores never trailed in their back-to-back wins at Alabama and on the road at Kentucky. He helped them avoid going three-and-out in every game. He has only one interception, which ties Vanderbilt for first among Power 4 programs.

Facts and figures

This is the first SEC road game for the Longhorns. They played rival Oklahoma in Dallas. … Texas struggles with slow starts. The Longhorns haven’t scored in the first quarter of their last two games … Texas leads the nation with 10 interceptions on defense. … Vanderbilt is 4-0 at home against Texas in a streak that began in 1899. … This is the fifth game this season. Vanderbilt has played an opponent either ranked or receiving AP Top 25 poll votes. The Commodores are 4-1 in those games, with the only loss coming in double overtime since then-No. 7 Missouri.

___

What is DirecTV Stream?

DirecTV Stream is an Internet TV service that provides you with your favorite entertainment, news and sports channels, as well as local TV stations and regional sports networks. DirecTV Stream can be purchased for $79.98/month for the first two months when you sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT package and add DIRECTV Sports Pack.

What is FuboTV?

FuboTV is a streaming service that has made a significant impact on the live sports market in the United States. Offers a wide range of price plans: The basic plan, the “Pro” package, offers a wide range of channels, including sports, news and entertainment options, such as Showtime for $79.99 per month.

What is SlingTV?

Here’s what you can watch on Sling TV, with plans starting at $40: Baseball (MLB), Basketball (NBA, NCAAB), Combat Sports (Boxing, UFC, MMA), Football (NCAAF, NFL), Golf, Hockey, Motor Sports, Olympics, Soccer, Tennis and Wrestling.

The Associated Press contributed to this article