Texas Faces Vanderbilt in Key CFP Showdown

No. 20 Texas hosted No. 9 Vanderbilt in Austin on Nov. 1, 2025, in a high-stakes SEC matchup that carried College Football Playoff implications for the Longhorns. Texas received a timely boost when QB Arch Manning—cleared from concussion protocol after his fourth-quarter comeback at Mississippi State—led the offense, and receiver Ryan Wingo opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown. Vanderbilt (7–1) countered with dual-threat QB Diego Pavia, who entered the game second among SEC quarterbacks in rushing (458 yards) and had 1,698 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, backed by a defense that recently stifled ranked opponents. Photographers captured key moments and sideline color, including coach Steve Sarkisian with Matthew McConaughey, while outlets provided live updates and photo galleries.