The teams share a historic rivalry, having met 38 times previously, although this was their first meeting since 2016.
The Commodores received widespread attention after they defeated top-ranked Alabama, 40–35, on October 5.
The upset marked the beginning of a three-game winning streak that saw Vanderbilt receive its first AP poll ranking since 2013.
[14] Vanderbilt lost its regular season finale in a rivalry game against Tennessee.
The game was delayed by lightning in the fourth quarter, pausing for approximately an hour.