When Kentucky heads to Nashville, they won’t be walking into the sleepy, half-empty stadium of old. They are stepping into a loud, energized environment that will feel nothing like the Vanderbilt of the past. They are cranking out loud and passionate fans.
The Commodores have officially announced the game is sold out, continuing a trend that shows Vanderbilt's brand, led by Clark Lea and Diego Pavia, is surging. This will be their 9th in 12 games going back to 2024. The culture there is definitely changing.
FirstBank Stadium is officially sold out for Senior Day!
— #14 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) November 20, 2025
For those still interested in attending, tickets can be purchased via @SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Vanderbilt Athletics.
🎟️ https://t.co/8ceBUrtKbA pic.twitter.com/fsWK80e15S
The Problem: DJ Waller is out again
This hostility is compounded by Kentucky’s biggest internal weakness: the secondary is compromised.
Defensive back DJ Waller, a major difference-maker in the secondary due to his length and closing speed, went from doubtful to out, again. The defensive back room was already thin, but the for sure loss of Waller leaves Kentucky dangerously exposed against an offense that Stoops himself has called "explosive."
Vandy’s offense is even better than you think
Pavia gives the Commodores something they’ve lacked for years: a quarterback who can improvise, push the ball downfield, and punish defenses that lack discipline. He will give his all on every play, and sometimes gives a little too much. He is not going to slide very often and enjoys the adrenaline rush from making a huge run.
A compromised Kentucky secondary makes the matchup tougher than most want to admit. The Cats could walk into a brutal environment with a fanbase convinced this is their year to get to the College Football Playoff.
If Kentucky wants to spoil Vanderbilt’s party and earn bowl eligibility, they’ll need a near-perfect performance: smarter clock management, a clean offensive game, and a pass rush that affects Pavia early. They have to treat this game like a bowl elimination, because in many ways, that’s exactly what it is.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion