Vanderbilt football prepares for Arkansas matchup amid roster and mentality challenges

Vanderbilt football prepares to host the Arkansas Razorbacks at FirstBank Stadium this Saturday. The matchup marks the first time the two programs have met since 2011, with Arkansas holding a 7-3 all-time series lead.

Following three consecutive losses, including a recent defeat to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea has addressed internal issues regarding team mentality. Lea noted that the team has been playing as if they are “entitled to an outcome” and expressed a need for the players to move beyond messaging and into decisive action. Additionally, the team faces challenges with discipline, currently ranking sixth nationally in penalties.

On the roster, Vanderbilt faces depth concerns at quarterback. Blaze Berlowitz is expected to be sidelined for approximately one month due to a broken collarbone. This injury shifts the depth chart, leaving Whit Muschamp and Jack Elliott as the primary options behind starter Jared Curtis.