Key questions heading into No. 10 Alabama’s game vs No. 16 Vanderbilt

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) celebrate Miller's touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during their game at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

There weren’t any rat traps or gimmicks this week. No. 10 Alabama didn’t need any extra motivation heading into Saturday’s game against No. 16 Vanderbilt. 

Alabama players still remember the pit in their stomachs from watching Vanderbilt fans storm the field after the Commodores upset the top-ranked Crimson Tide, 40-35, in Nashville last year. While Tide players don’t want to dwell on the past, they are determined not to let history repeat itself this week. 

“It hurt, I’m gonna be honest,” Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said of last year’s loss at Vanderbilt. “One, being from Tennessee, playing Vanderbilt. Two, that we had just found our identity with a big win like we did last week. We went in there and didn’t play our best, they stormed the field, nobody likes a field storm. That’s in the back of our mind. We don’t want to remember last year, but we also know that last year happened; it can’t go away. It’s all about us and this year.”

Last year’s defeat to Vanderbilt snapped a 23-game winning streak for Alabama over the Commodores dating back to 1985. The Tide holds a 63-19-4 advantage in the previous 86 meetings and is currently a 10.5-point favorite for this weekend’s matchup. 

Here are five questions to watch for as Alabama (3-1, 1-0) takes on Vanderbilt (5-0, 1-0) at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.