The Commodores compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Vanderbilt plays their home games at FirstBank Stadium, located on the university's Nashville, Tennessee campus.

In that time, seven coaches have led the Commodores to a postseason bowl appearance: Art Guepe, Ethan Halbert, George MacIntyre, Bobby Johnson, James Franklin, Derek Mason, and Clark Lea.

Four have led them to a conference championship: R. G. Acton, W. H. Watkins, James R. Henry, and Dan McGugin.

McGugin is the leader in seasons coached and games won, with 198 victories during his 30 years at Vanderbilt.

Of the 29 different head coaches who have led the Commodores, McGugin,[3] Ray Morrison,[4] Red Sanders,[5] and Bill Edwards[6] have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The largest margin of victory for Vanderbilt was by 76 points in 1918 at Old Dudley Field in Nashville.

[28] Since 1924, the winning team in the series has received a silver-plated cowbell with the year and final score of each game engraved on it.

Cavaleri purchased a cowbell at an Atlanta hardware store to use as a noise-maker while on his way to a game in 1924.

The Commodores defeated Georgia Tech 3–0, however another fan in attendance suggested that Cavaleri award the bell to the winning team.

[29] The cowbell has a gold plate screwed into each side, with “GEORGIA TECH-VANDERBILT FOOTBALL TROPHY” inscribed at the top.

Meanwhile, the traditional alternate uniform saw gold helmets and jerseys matched with white pants.

[33] The James Franklin (2011–2013), and Derek Mason (2014–2020) eras saw the introduction of several new combinations- including "blackout” (i.e. all black), and "whiteout" (i.e. all white) uniforms.

[36] More recently, Vanderbilt introduced new all white ("whiteout"),[37] and all black ("blackout") uniforms[38] for the 2024 season opening up the possiblity of several different combinations.

[40] Vanderbilt Commodores personnel, including coaches and players, have received recognition from the Southeastern Conference for their performances on the football field.