Vanderbilt is set to get a major boost under center on Saturday afternoon, with five-star freshman Jared Curtis expected to return against No. 9 Ole Miss after missing last week’s game at Georgia because of an injury, sources tell CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Curtis’ absence was felt in Athens, where veteran Blaze Berlowitz got the start and completed 52.2% of his passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Berlowitz had opened the season as the starter before Curtis climbed the depth chart and earned his first start against NC State in Week 3.
The freshman’s return matters because Curtis has already flashed the kind of talent that made him the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 signing class, per 247Sports. In four games, he has completed 64.3% of his passes for 746 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. The growing pains have been real, especially with decision-making, but that comes with the territory for a young quarterback still finding his way.
Curtis last played in Week 4 against Auburn, a game in which he absorbed plenty of punishment while carrying the ball 18 times and taking four sacks. That wear and tear is what kept him out against Georgia.
His presence gives Vanderbilt a higher offensive ceiling against an Ole Miss defense that has struggled, particularly against the run. The Rebels are allowing 194.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks 127th nationally.
That opens the door for Sedrick Alexander, who leads Vanderbilt with 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. If Alexander can keep the offense on schedule, it should ease the burden on Curtis in what will be just the second start of his college career.
For Curtis, a Nashville native, Saturday also carries a hometown angle. Vanderbilt hasn’t beaten Ole Miss since 2018, and a win would give the young quarterback a chance to become a local hero.
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Vanderbilt's Upset Hopes May Hinge On One Critical Injury Decision
Clark Leas latest injury update gave Vanderbilt a clearer picture heading into its matchup with Ole Miss, and the most important news was on the quarterback front. Jared Curtis is probable to play, which steadies the outlook for an offense that will need every available piece against a formidable opponent, especially with bad weather in the forecast for Saturday.
The bigger concern sits along the offensive line, where Mitchell Smith is doubtful because of a knee injury. Vanderbilt has also been getting ready for the rain expected during the game, a detail that could matter just as much as health if the conditions turn sloppy and turn every snap into a little less predictable. [Read more 🡒]
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Vanderbilts quarterback situation has become one of the more intriguing parts of its matchup with Ole Miss, and it is already changing how the Rebels are getting ready for the game. Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said the defense has spent plenty of time on the different ways Vanderbilt can operate with Jared Curtis or Blaze Berlowitz at quarterback, since the offense does not look quite the same depending on who is taking snaps.
Curtis is listed as probable despite a knee bruise, while Golding has also pointed to the possibility of seeing Berlowitz on the field in multiple roles. For Ole Miss, the challenge is less about solving one look than staying ready for a scheme that can shift quickly, with Vanderbilt capable of changing its personnel and presentation from series to series. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Has A Real Shot At Ole Miss If One Thing Changes
Vanderbilt heads into its matchup with No. 9 Ole Miss knowing the odds are steep, but not treating the game like a lost cause. The Commodores have spent plenty of time this season dealing with the kind of self-inflicted mistakes that can bury an underdog before the fourth quarter, and that makes this trip even more about discipline, ball security and finding a way to stay on schedule against one of the SECs more dangerous offenses.
Still, there is a real reason for optimism if Vanderbilt can clean things up in the right places. Ole Miss has shown some vulnerability on defense, and the Commodores believe there is a path to stress that side of the ball while keeping the Rebels from ripping off the explosive scoring drives that can change everything in a hurry. The question is whether Vanderbilt can make enough of those small gains add up before Ole Misss firepower takes control. [Read more 🡒]