The Vanderbilt Commodores are fresh off the biggest win in recent school history, and now hope to capitalize on the momentum.
The Commodores proved to be far above your average Vanderbilt football team early this season with a win over Virginia Tech. While the Hokies are not what people thought they were preseason, it still proved to be a solid win for the Commodores. However, Vanderbilt followed up the win with a tough loss to Georgia State, a team whom the Commodores should have defeated.
Quarterback Diego Pavia was responsible for 33 touchdowns and just nine interceptions a season ago with New Mexico State. The talented quarterback has been the catalyst for the Commodores offense and locker room, as the vocal leader is the heart of the team.
Pavia has recorded 973 yards through the air including eight touchdowns and no interceptions. The quarterback also has a rating of 80.7 on the season, ranking as the 18th-overall quarterback in the country. Pavia is also a master on the ground, recording 335 yards and two touchdowns on 91 carries thus far into the season.
Coming into the season Vanderbilt was expected to struggle through the changes to the team. During preseason polls, the Commodores were expected to win two games this season and lose every conference game in the SEC.
The Commodores play Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Auburn, South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee in conference play.
Vanderbilt opened the season in tremendous fashion, and then showed incredible flashes against the Missouri Tigers in a double-overtime loss. The Commodores have given the fans enough to finally feel confident in the team winning games.
Vanderbilt tore down their goal post to my song last night after beating Alabama. And I couldn’t be more proud. I love Nashville
— Shaboozey (@ShaboozeysJeans) October 6, 2024
NO WAY#Vandy played this quote from Nick Saban after the upset over Alabama:
“The only place that’s not hard to play in the SEC is Vanderbilt.” pic.twitter.com/QDfGufSQol
— Billy Derrick (@billyderrick10) October 5, 2024
New Mexico State in two seasons before Diego Pavia: 3-11 record
NMSU in the two years under Pavia: 17-11 record
Vanderbilt before Diego Pavia: 2-10 record
Vanderbilt with Diego Pavia: 3-2 record and just beat #1 Alabama
This kid revives programs.pic.twitter.com/73jipgr452
— Max Chadwick (@CFBMaxChadwick) October 5, 2024
Diego Pavia is indeed a game-changer, turning around programs with his exceptional leadership!
— Inaya (@SimplyInaya) October 6, 2024
Can Diego Pavia Lead the Vanderbilt Commodores to Another Conference Victory?
While the Commodores and Pavia made it through perhaps the toughest test of the season with a win, that does not make Kentucky a walk in the park.
Kentucky is arguably the strongest two loss team in the country, with a one-point loss to Georgia and a three-point win over Ole Miss. While the Wildcats looked unprepared against South Carolina in the loss, Kentucky is figuring everything out on both sides of the ball now.
In order for the Commodores to pull off a win over the Wildcats, Pavia is going to have to put the offense on his back once again. Pavia has not thrown an interception this season, and as long as he can move the ball without mistakes, the Commodores should find holes to score against the Wildcats.
What allowed for Vanderbilt to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide was both a bit of luck and also a willingness to move the ball while taking care of it. If Vanderbilt can avoid turning the ball over, it should be their game to win.
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