We are living in a fun time for the college football landscape.
Alabama fans have several games circled as important matchups — including a few revenge games — but one contest is starting to take on a feud of its own. Vanderbilt University was never considered a national power in the Southeastern Conference. People looked at the Commodores as the grade point average (GPA) institution that should equate to an easy victory on the football field if it is scheduled for a game. It has never been one to boast with swagger or at least not since Jay Cutler was a quarterback; however, times have shifted in Nashville, Tenn.
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Vandy became very fortunate in 2024 as a quarterback chose it from the NCAA transfer portal.
Diego Pavia carries the cockiness of Cutler, but also Johnny Manziel.
He has some Manziel mannerisms in his game and it played a pivotal role for Vanderbilt being much better than what it had been years before. The Commodores snatched wins over Virginia Tech, Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, and Georgia Tech it was not expected to get. It also pushed Texas, Missouri, and LSU to the brink in close matchups. Pavia handed Alabama one of its three losses that kept it out of the 12-team College Football Playoff, but he’s talking like he wants more. Ryan Williams, a sophomore wide receiver for Alabama, told former NFL head coach Jon Gruden the Crimson Tide looks to take a ‘sledgehammer to an ant’ in handling Vandy this fall.
Ryan Williams says Alabama is ‘killing an ant with a sledgehammer’ in facing Vanderbilt
Pavia clapped back at Williams on Instagram, stating “Run It. They actin’ like they tough, but don’t want no confrontation.’
It has been a long time since Vandy had a quarterback with this kind of charisma, confidence, swagger, and attitude. Pavia had a huge performance versus the Tide last year, totaling 252 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in a 40-35 victory. He completed 16 of 20 pass attempts versus Alabama’s defense. The rematch is Saturday, Oct. 4 on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A spirited crowd should be on hand as the hype is building for this one.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
