Texas travels to a Southeastern Conference game for the first time this weekend, while the No. 5 Longhorns travel to Nashville to face the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores.

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Here are three keys to a win in Texas.

Running game wins

Against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Longhorns ran 27 times for 29 yards. Texas’ sack-adjusted rushing total was 88 yards. That’s far, far below what Steve Sarkisian and Tashard Choice expect from the Texas run game. And with Quinn Ewers not performing to the highest standards in recent weeks, the focus on the ground attack has only increased.

The Vanderbilts rushing defense is good when you look at things from a yards per game perspective, but that mostly has to do with how much they are able to limit possessions. The Commodores are giving up 3.95 yards per rush per attempt. That’s No. 60 in the country and paints a much different picture than their T-37 ranking in rush defense.

Sarkisian’s offense is good when it is balanced and opponents have to respect both the run and pass threats. But Sarkisian can also play the damn ball when it’s available and lead the way to victory. A game from Quintrevion Wisner, Jaydon Blue, or possibly even Jerrick Gibson, with the running backs producing performances closer to what they did earlier in the season, would take the pressure off Ewers and the offense.

Clean special teams

Texas is the No. 2 team in SP+, ESPN’s pace- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. And that despite the fact that special teams is ranked 115th out of 134 in the SP+ ranking.

The Longhorns need much, much cleaner special teams play, and there’s confidence that can come later this afternoon. Additionally, whoever takes Jeff Banks to the playoff must have it today (if Texas actually decides to go for the playoff).

Ian Ratliff didn’t have a strong performance against Georgia and Michael Kern has been on and off the injury report in recent weeks. Sarkisian said Thursday he is “hopeful” Kern will be ready, but he will have to wait until he sees a few kicks before the game to make a decision.

It’s more than just core. Will Stone has to keep doing his job. Silas Bolden can be brave, but he has to keep the ball for Texas. Penalties cannot undo Matthew Golden’s great successes.

Texas can pull away from the Commodores if the third period adds points to the Longhorns’ point total instead of taking points away from them.

Hit an explosive

Texas had one explosive play in the first half against Georgia, and it was Arch Manning’s 21-yard scramble late in the second quarter. As the shape of the game changed, Texas scored seven big plays in the second half, including a touchdown, but one of the cornerstones of Sarkisian’s offense just wasn’t available last week.

Texas has an offense that can exploit Vanderbilt’s deficiencies in the secondary. Even if the Commodores exploit everything in front of them, Texas can find room to operate in both the passing and running games.

Of course, a lot of this comes down to quality quarterback play. Not only for deep shots, but also for medium-weight targets.

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If the Longhorns make explosive plays, this game will likely be in the visitors’ favor in some way.