Diego Pavia Makes Intentions Clear on Alabama Test After Making SEC History With Vanderbilt

In Kalen DeBoer’s era, Alabama has gone through major ups and downs. Losing against teams like Oklahoma or FSU, which didn’t stand strong against them for decades, raised many questions. But then a major record against Georgia helped to shift the narrative a bit. But the one loss that hurts the most is their loss against Vanderbilt, which broke 40 years of winning records over them last season. Now there’s a chance that Bama may let that misery happen again, especially at home, because it looks like no one can stop Diego Pavia.

Last season, Alabama was ranked the no. 1 team until an unranked team came in and handed them their first loss of the season. That was the moment Bama lost its momentum, and DeBoer had to face the anger of the fanbase. Now, they are going up against Vandy once again, and this time the Commodores look stronger than ever with a 5-0 record. They are also 1-0 in the SEC. Bama can’t afford to lose another game after their blowout against Florida State.

It’s going to a home game for the Crimson Tide, and the crowds are pretty hostile. Despite that, Pavia isn’t losing his charm, as he said, “Tuscaloosa will be a good, fun time. You know, I’ve never played there. I think a few of the guys have been there. This is what you come to the SEC for, you know, big games like this. So we’ll be really excited to go down there and check them out.” Well, let’s just hope Bama doesn’t give fans the emotional whiplash of winning against Georgia and then losing to Vanderbilt the next game.

“Tuscaloosa will be a good, fun time… This is what you come to the SEC for.” – Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia on next weekend’s matchup with Alabama, who the Commodores upset last year in Nashville pic.twitter.com/5dtFJlOKga

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 28, 2025

Pavia is doing more than showing his excitement about playing in Tuscaloosa. He’s also making sure that the entire nation knows he’s ready. Pavis’s move? Posting a graphic of their game against Bama on his IG story with a caption that sums it all up well: “BRING THAT SHIIII.” And let’s be real, that confidence makes sense. Pavia has been nothing but impressive this season, completing 94 of 126 passes for 1,211 yards with 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Even his ground game’s pretty strong with 294 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Pavia is also in the Heisman Trophy conversations with ESPN BET tying him at 6th position with +1800 odds to win. It’s pretty clear Alabama is not going up against the same Vanderbilt team from the Saban era. But for now the odds are in Bama’s favor, and the ESPN matchup predictor gives them a 74.3% chance to win. Now, to make that happen, DeBoer must stop Vandy’s offense, which ranks fifth in the SEC for yards with 494.4 yards per game and second in scoring with 49 points per game. That is not going to be an easy nut to crack after what Pavia did against Utah State last week.

Diego Pavia’s record-breaking game against Utah

Pavia’s plea to fight for one extra year changed Vanderbilt’s fate completely. He didn’t just win games but also gave Vandy the national dominance that was missing for years. His game against Utah State proves why he’s the driving force behind this team. He threw five touchdown passes and rushed for another, completing 26 of 34 passes for 321 yards and even adding 79 rushing yards. What’s turning heads is that now with 6 total TDs in the game, Pavia is now Vanderbilt’s second QB to record that feat since 1996.

But his record-breaking game doesn’t just stop at that. Pavia also matched the program record for passing touchdowns in a game, that put him in the list of Vanderbilt’s legendary players like Johnny McCrary (2014), Jay Cutler (2005), and Bill Wade (1950). This win isn’t just a personal victory for Pavia, but a big feat for the team, as Vanderbilt won five games in a season for the first time since 2008. Pavia’s team also tied for the third-longest streak in SEC history to open a season with over 20 points in five games.

Vandy’s offense scoring 50 or more points is a major achievement, something the program hadn’t done since 1915. Apart from Pavia, the entire team is also on fire this season. His primary receiver, Junior Sherrill, had three touchdowns and 91 rushing yards against Utah State, with contributions from Eli Stowers, Richie Hoskins, and even Makhilyn Young. And kicker Brock Taylor nailed two field goals, ensuring the offense kept its momentum.

Their defensive dominance also remained a factor, as Vanderbilt consistently pressured Utah State, with three sacks and forcing seven hurried throws. But now, let’s wait and see if that pace resonates against Alabama or not, as the Crimson Tide looks to keep their win streak going.

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