No. 9 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt: Game Central Rundown, Live Updates and Analysis

Everything you want to know about the Rebels and Commodores, from the football depth chart down to the weather forecast at FirstBank Stadium.

Oct 3, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Makhilyn Young (22) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NASHVILLE — Can Vanderbilt football bounce back in an unthinkable way?

That is the question going into this week as the Commodores attempt to end a two-game losing streak to begin SEC play. The last two weeks, Vanderbilt has had road trips to Auburn and Georgia and lost them both.

Despite the loss, Vanderbilt feels like it is continuing to get closer to the team it believes it is. This week presents another big test for the team’s first SEC home game of the season. Vanderbilt takes on No. 9 Ole Miss, who is looking to redeem itself after the beating it took two weeks ago.

Ole Miss went to Florida following its emotional win against Lane Kiffin and LSU, but had an emotional letdown in The Swamp. The Rebels lost to the Gators 52-24 and are now coming off their bye week.

The biggest story for Vanderbilt this week was the availability of five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis. Curtis missed last week’s game against Georgia with a knee injury, but it seems like that he will be back on the field Saturday.

Vanderbilt will try to rely on Curtis and the rest of the offense to keep up with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and the weapons he has at his disposal. The explosiveness of the game, though, could be limited by the weather. With seemingly plenty of rain in the forecast, it could be a day for the running backs.

Vanderbilt and Ole Miss are scheduled to kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Note: This story will be frequently updated throughout the day and game.

Latest Injury News from Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

If a player goes down during the game, we'll keep tabs on it and share any and all updates.

– Vanderbilt five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis is expected to start after being listed as probable on the Wednesday night injury report. He continued to progress from a knee bruise injury he suffered against Auburn two weeks ago. After missing the game against Georgia last week, it looks like Curtis will be back on the field for Vanderbilt.

– Vanderbilt offensive lineman Mitchell Smith is doubtful. Clark Lea said on Thursday that Smith is dealing with a banged up knee and has not practiced this week and said he will continue to be doubtful for the game against Ole Miss.

– Once again, Vanderbilt will be without cornerback Jaylin Lackey and linebacker Jamison Curtis with soft tissue injuries and defensive lineman Nikhil Jefferson to an injury as well. As Lea said two weeks ago, defensive lineman Aaron Bryant is out for the season with an ACL injury. Vanderbilt will also be without wide receiver Kahden Smith today as well.

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt Game Information

How to Watch

Who: No. 9 Ole Miss (3-1) vs. Vanderbilt (3-2)

When: Saturday, Oct.10, 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

TV: ESPN

Series History: Ole Miss leads Vanderbilt 54-40-2 all-time.

Last time out, Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt dropped its second consecutive game of the season, losing to No. 2 Georgia 38-14.

Last time out, Ole Miss: Ole Miss is coming off its bye week. Before its bye, Ole Miss was trounced by Florida in Gainesville 52-28.

Weather: This weekend will be the worst weather that Vanderbilt has played in all season. As of Friday evening, the forecast on The Weather Channel has rain above 90% for the entire game with the rain starting earlier in the morning. It may not be a total washout give that there is not a thunderstorm in the forecast, but it looks right now that there will be steady rain the whole day.

Betting Odds for Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

Spread: Ole Miss -10.5 points

Over/Under: 54.5 points

Source: FanDuel Sportsbook

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER

Things You Need to Know for Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

Despite the two-game losing streak, Vanderbilt football has not lost its confidence nor its mentality on where it wants to go. The Commodores know that they have to start stringing together wins, but the hunger to get back on the winning track is still present. Read Graham Baakko’s story for what Clark Lea and players said about where the team is mentality-wise right now.

Vanderbilt starting tight end Cole Spence missed the first three games of the season due to a hyperextended knee that he sustained the week leading up to Vanderbilt’s 2026 opener against Austin Peay. He talked to Vandy On SI exclusively about what it was like returning from injury and what it means to him.

In another Vandy On SI exclusive, senior defensive analyst for Vanderbilt, Bob Shoop, talked about what it is liking getting to coach against his son, Ole Miss linebackers coach Jay Shoop. Read Joey Dwyer’s story for everything Bob Shoop said about this weekend.

Vanderbilt Depth Chart

OFFENSE

QB: Jared Curtis, Blaze Berlowitz

RB: Sedrick Alexander, MK Young

X Receiver: Junior Sherrill, Ja'Cory Thomas, Joseph McVay

Y Receiver: Brycen Coleman, Cole Adams, Claiborne Richards

Z Receiver: Tristen Brown, Kayleb Barnett

Tight End: Cole Spence, Gabe Fisher, Maurice Veney

Tight End: Jayvontay Conner, Walter Taylor

Quick Tackle: Clinton Azubuike, CJ Williams

Quick Guard: Cade McConnell, Kevo Wesley, Ted Gregoire

Center: Lyndon Cooper, Gunnar Givens or Keegan Wechsler

Strong Guard: Orion Irving, Micah DeBose

Strong Tackle: Beau Johnson, Mitchell Smith

DEFENSE

EDGE: Brian Allen, Edwin Kolenge, Hayden Bray

Defensive Tackle: Issa Ouattara, Bradley Mann, Talan Carter

Defensive Tackle: Glenn Seabrooks III, Jaylon Stone, Mike Diatta

Razor: Miles Capers, Mason Carter, Jake Stanish

Linebacker: Nick Rinaldi, Bryce Cowan, Josiah Broxton

Linebacker: Bryan Longwell, Bryce Cowan, Austin Howard

STAR: Mason Lewis or Carson Lawrence, Jailen Ruth

Cornerback: Martel Hight, Davin Chandler, Jaylin Davies, Cobey Sellers

Cornerback: Jordan Matthews, Cayden Daniels, Bishop Starling

Safety: Ricardo Jones, Dontae Carter

Safety: CJ Heard, Jalen Gilbert, Vanzale Hinton

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