NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The US LBM Coaches Poll preseason rankings were released on Monday with 19 days until the college football season kicks off.

It's no secret that the Vanderbilt Commodores have one of the toughest schedules in the country. ESPN Analytics ranked the Commodores as having the No. 2 toughest schedule in college football behind only Florida.

Seemingly, the coaches across college football agree with that sentiment after the release of the first Coaches Poll for the 2025-2026 season. Vanderbilt will face five teams ranked in the first edition of the poll: No. 13 South Carolina, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 LSU, No. 1 Texas and No. 18 Tennessee.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt received three votes to be included in the Coaches Poll top 25.

The Commodores faced each of those teams listed a season ago, combining for a 1-4 record in those games. Their only win among those games was against Alabama, which marked Vanderbilt's first victory over the Crimson Tide since 1984.

South Carolina and Tennessee both handled Vanderbilt in 2024, winning by multiple scores. However, the Commodores gave fits to Southeastern Conference runner-up Texas, losing by just 3, and nearly left Death Valley with a win, falling to LSU, 24-17.

Regardless of who lines up across Vanderbilt this upcoming season, the goal remains the same for head coach Clark Lea and company heading into the 2025-2026 season.

"We believe we have what it takes to play into January," Lea said last month at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. "We have to support our belief with a disciplined focus in the present. The burden of our goals is the pressure of knowing we can't afford to have an off night. We can't afford to have a lackluster effort or unfocused snap."

The Commodores will also face two teams that received Coaches Poll votes but were left on the outside looking in: Missouri (142 votes) and Auburn (50 votes).

Vanderbilt will begin the college football season at home on Aug. 30 against Charleston Southern.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/sports/vanderbilt-commodores-to-face-5-teams-ranked-in-coaches-poll/