Isaiah Horton: “Focus on our job”

The upcoming matchup between No. 10 Alabama and No. 16 Vanderbilt is generating significant buzz. Many analysts, former athletes, and media personalities will be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday to watch the Southeastern Conference showdown.

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Alabama and Vanderbilt have met 86 times in history, with the Crimson Tide leading the series 63-19-4, but this will only be the second time they will compete as Top 20 teams. The last time this instance occurred was on Nov. 25, 1937, when No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 12 Vanderbilt in Nashville, 9-7.

This occurrence promises a jam-packed weekend in Tuscaloosa, especially with College Gameday coming to town. With all the talk and press before the matchup, the Crimson Tide are not focused on the distractions; they're focused on what's at stake and the task at hand.

"Focus on our job, focus on what's at stake here; it's the next game, so that's why it's very important, and we just have to continue to do a good job on blocking out the outside noise and focusing on each other," said wide receiver Isaiah Horton when detailing how Alabama can focus on their opponent.

Vanderbilt will head into Tuscaloosa with much confidence after ending Alabama's 23-game winning streak last season in Nashville. The streak dated back to the 1985 season.

Additionally, the Commodores' 5-0 start to the season for the first time since 2008 gives them even more confidence for Saturday's matchup. The last time Vanderbilt beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa was on Sep. 29, 1984, when they won 30-21.

Alabama will need to be laser-focused to defend its home turf on Saturday and stun this confident Vanderbilt team, which is led by quarterback Diego Pavia.