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The Vanderbilt Commodores and fifth-year quarterback Diego Pavia won over the hearts of college football fans across the country in 2024. Now, Pavia is back for a sixth season, and he’s setting the bar for himself and his Vandy teammates extremely high.
The Commodores came from seemingly off the radar to go 7-6 a year ago, highlighted by the program’s first victory over Alabama in 40 years. Pavia won the SEC Newcomer of the Year award after transferring in from New Mexico and throwing for 2,293 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just four interceptions.
After winning a contentious lawsuit against the NCAA, Pavia was granted an additional year of eligibility in 2025, and he plans to make the most of it.
Diego Pavia Says Vanderbilt Has National Title Aspirations In 2025
Pavia has never been short on confidence, even dating back to his junior college days. He fully expects the Commodores to beat the Crimson Tide again in 2025. But he also has his sights set on bigger goals: namely, a national championship.
Diego Pavia says Vanderbilt is coming for it all this season 🏆 👀
(via @finebaum) pic.twitter.com/b474tHaOcY
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 7, 2025
“I think we’ve got the tools (offensively) and defensively to put our foot forward and win the national championship,” Pavia said during an appearance on the “Paul Finebaum Show” on Wednesday. “… That’s the standard.”
Look, you can’t blame Pavia for setting big goals. In fact, it’s just about the only way to think if you want to truly compete at a high level. But even despite the Alabama win last year, Vanderbilt went just 7-6. That includes an early-season loss to Georgia State, which went just 3-9 in the Sun Belt Conference.
Additionally, the Commodores start the season unranked in the Coaches Poll and with +50000 (500-1) odds to win a national title. The 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes are considered the team with the longest odds to win a national title in the modern era. The Buckeyes began the season with +4000 (40-1 odds).
Look, one of these days, some team is going to beat that record. And we can’t blame Pavia for having faith in his team. But maybe he should start with some more realistically attainable goals.