The Alabama Crimson Tide did not have much of a problem against Vanderbilt last season. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama paid the Commodores back for the 2024 20-35 upset of the Crimson Tide in Nashville.
Last November, Vanderbilt travelled to Austin with its highest AP ranking since 1947. The Commodores were ranked No. 9 before losing to Texas 34-31. They bounced back with wins over Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee before losing to Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Vandy finished 2025 with its first-ever 10-win season. Head Coach Clark Lea won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award. He also won the SEC Coach of the Year award again, making him the first Vandy coach to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
The 2026 season could be very different for Lea and the Commodores. Some may term it Vandy's post-Pavia era, because the star quarterback is arguably irreplaceable. The 2026 SEC schedule is another big challenge. The Dores play at Auburn, Georgia, and Florida, with home games against Ole Miss, Alabama, and Tennessee.
To Vanderbilt fans, last season's road win over Tennessee at least equaled the 2024 upset of Alabama. The Dores won 48-24 in Knoxville, giving Vandy their "first win over a ranked Vols team in 78 years."
Lea has a replacement for Pavia. His freshman quarterback, Jared Curtis is Vandy's highest-ranked recruit ever. Curtis must develop quickly and Vandy's early schedule should help. Vandy could be 3-0 before visiting Auburn on Sept. 26.
Curtis is a different player than Pavia. At 6'3" and 230 pounds, Curtis already has an SEC-ready body. He has a bigger arm than Pavia and can be elusive in the pocket. He can run, but more often, given time, he will try tough throws. He shares Pavia's cockiness, having already claimed he will win a national championship at Vanderbilt. When the Crimson Tide travels to Nashville in November, Curtis' freshman status will not be a factor.
Vanderbilt's offensive system will not change. Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck and Consultant Jerry Kill have roster support for Curtis with a solid receiving corps that includes former Crimson Tider, Cole Adams. Vandy's running back group has good depth. Their offensive question mark is the O-line, with only guard Cade McConnell considered a standout.
Alabama will have a talent advantage over Vanderbilt
In every position group on the defensive side of the ball, Alabama will have an advantage. That is especially true in the defensive backfields. Vandy has good receivers, but Alabama has a better group with more wideouts capable of explosive plays. Alabama also has better special teams talent.
Game Prediction: Alabama 41 - Vanderbilt 24
Check out the 2026 Iron Bowl Preview and Prediction
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