The Texas Longhorns will be missing a key player in their upcoming road game against No. 25 Vanderbilt. After a tough home loss to Georgia, Texas dropped from its No. 1 ranking and now finds itself among several SEC teams with one conference loss. The Longhorns are aiming to rebound, but they’ll have to do so without standout safety Andrew Mukuba, who sustained a knee injury in the Georgia game and is confirmed out for this week’s clash, according to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos.
Mukuba, a Clemson transfer with 25 tackles and two interceptions this season, has been instrumental to Texas’ defense, making his absence a significant blow. However, Mukuba’s injury isn’t expected to be long-term, offering some hope for a return soon.
Facing Vanderbilt, Texas can’t afford to underestimate the Commodores. Known for being one of the weaker SEC teams, Vanderbilt has exceeded expectations this season, compiling a 5-2 record with notable wins against Alabama and Kentucky. Now ranked No. 25, Vanderbilt has proven they are capable of catching teams off guard, making this matchup a potential challenge.
Texas, though heavily favored, will need to bring its best game to avoid another upset. The Longhorns’ defense, even without Mukuba, should be able to contain Vanderbilt, particularly through its strength in the trenches. Offensively, quarterback Quinn Ewers will look to redeem himself after a rough outing against Georgia, though wide receiver Isaiah Bond will be sidelined as well.
Vanderbilt’s quarterback, Diego Pavia, has been reliable and efficient, limiting turnovers, which makes the Commodores tough to beat. Although Vanderbilt has enough talent to compete, a major upset seems unlikely. Texas, with the motivation of bouncing back from a loss, should be more focused and ready to secure a win.
