In the 2024 season, Vanderbilt stunned the college football world with a 40-35 upset over Alabama, fueled by a breakout performance from quarterback Diego Pavia. The Commodores’ victory in Nashville not only vaulted Pavia into the national spotlight but also positioned Vanderbilt as a legitimate SEC contender entering the 2025 season.
Now ranked No. 16 with a perfect 5-0 record, the Commodores head to Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday, seeking to replicate last year’s magic.
Diego Pavia’s Leadership and Vanderbilt’s Rise Command Legend’s Respect as Alabama Prepares for a Rematch
Pavia’s impact on the team cannot be overstated. In 48 rushing attempts through five games in 2025, four of Pavia’s carries have resulted in losses or no gain, yet his presence consistently pushes the offense ahead of schedule. His ability to command the field has evolved from last season, with more than just rushing plays driving Vanderbilt’s success.
Last year’s upset saw Pavia account for 308 total yards and two touchdowns while keeping Alabama off balance and holding possession for more than 42 minutes, a performance that left a lasting mark on the program.
Reflecting on the Commodores’ transformation, former Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke with ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show”:
“I don’t think there’s any question about it. This is a lot better Vanderbilt team this year than what they had last year. Last year to me it was the Diego Pavia show. He ran it. They did quarterback runs. He dominated the game. He dominates the game now in a different way because to me he makes every player on his team better, because he’s a much better passer. Went from 57% to 70% completion,” Saban said.
He added, “He’s got better skill guys, better runner. I think they’re a little better on defense. So this is a real team to me. And this guy is a tremendous playmaker. He’s like a point guard out there. So this is going to be real challenging game. I think the big thing is, is you talk about what’s people’s perception.”
“This is a lot better Vanderbilt team this year than what they had last year..
Diego Pavia makes every player on his team better”
Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/g0hjfYBIex
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 3, 2025
Saban added perspective on Vanderbilt’s growth: “You have this perception of Vanderbilt being an academic school that’s always struggled in the SEC, especially in football. Absolutely. That’s not the case anymore. But it’s hard to get that perception out of your head. I mean, they beat South Carolina at South Carolina. I mean, this is a good football team.”
Nick Saban Urges Ty Simpson to Focus on Tempo and Offensive Balance Against New Vandy
As Alabama looks to respond, Saban emphasized the importance of controlling the game tempo and balancing the offense:
“I think it’s going to be really important in this game that we control the tempo with the game. We need to keep the ball on offense, run it a little better, because the one thing Vandy’s defense is going to be able to do is they get you in third down now, they have really good pressure packages and they’re bringing people from everywhere.”
“You’re expected to win every game here at Alabama and I like that standard..
I would hate to coach at a place that didn’t have a standard or expectations..
We need to control the tempo of the game against Vanderbilt” ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/uJIR1q5dJc
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 3, 2025
He added: “So, Ty’s going to have to handle that… You want to have balance because… it’s going to be tough to contain Vanderbilt the whole time so keep the ball away from the guy.”
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has been exceptional this season, completing 69.3% of his passes for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding 57 rushing yards and two more scores.
Notably, he has committed zero turnovers through four games. His performance has earned multiple accolades, including SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, and put him on the watchlist of Maxwell Player of the Week.
According to the PFSN College QB Impact (QBi) Metric, Pavia holds an 86.7 score, ranking 8th among eligible quarterbacks, while Simpson carries an 84.2 score, ranking 14th. Both earn a B grade through Week 5, highlighting a near-even matchup between two elite signal-callers.
Saturday’s rematch is shaping up to be a defining SEC showdown. Alabama will rely on Simpson’s precision and Ty’s ball security to counter Pavia’s playmaking and Vanderbilt’s confidence. With both quarterbacks performing at near-peak levels, the game could be a breakout moment in Alabama’s title aspirations and a chance for Vanderbilt to prove last year’s win was no fluke.
