The team was led by head coach Fred Pancoast, who replaced Steve Sloan.
In 1974, Sloan had led Vanderbilt to a bowl game for the first time since 1955, before leaving to become head coach at Texas Tech, the team Vanderbilt had faced in the Peach Bowl to close the season.
The Vanderbilt squad finished the season with a record of 7–4, but was not invited to a bowl game.
Vanderbilt defeated Rice, Tulane, Army, Chattanooga, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.
The Commodores lost to Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Ole Miss.