The Vanderbilt Commodores- always the bridesmaid, never quite the bride. The program has historically been ancillary to their “bigger” SEC compatriots. With so many schools garnering all the attention, and even more now after the Longhorns’ entry, they are an afterthought in the conference. Often designated to the SEC Network, away from the national lens. This is about to change.

Quarterback Diego Pavia has captivated fans across the CFB landscape this year. In part with his amazing play and his story. From getting no offers from any D1 schools in the country to beating Alabama, Pavia has seen it all. With his senior year approaching its conclusion, Pavia will don the black and gold strip for one last time in Week 14. In rather unprecedented fashion, Vandy’s final game will be broadcast on to a national audience.

Vanderbilt (6-4) is set to play the Tennessee Volunteers (8-2) on the final weekend of the regular season. The game will be broadcast on ABC. This marks the first time a Vandy game will be on network television this season. Pavia and his teammates will have an opportunity to show out in front of the masses. The latest wrinkle in their rivalry with the Vols is about to be a high-stakes affair.

Tennessee will likely go into the final weekend in a must-win scenario. After their loss to Georgia, their playoff aspirations are not set in stone. However, the Vols may still control their own destiny. Win out, and they are most likely through to the CFP. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is not in the postseason picture. However, the occasion will not be lost on them.

In the backdrop of the Commodores’ 2024 Senior Day, Pavia will be bidding farewell to the school. He had a tumultuous traversal through the CFB ranks. After starting as a JUCO athlete at New Mexico Military Institute, he got a shot at D1 football from New Mexico State. His impressive run at NM State culminated in a Conference USA Offensive POTY. This led to his disposition at Vandy, via the transfer portal. Diego Pavia’s proverbial rags to riches story is not at all linear though. He is still going head-to-head against the powers that be.

Diego Pavia takes on the system in the hope to extend college career

Pavia is currently locked in a lawsuit with the NCAA. His demand- further eligibility. Last week, he sued the authorities, citing that his tenure in JUCO football should not count against him. Pavia argued that he had no reasonable opportunity to benefit from NIL.

A federal judge has denied him a restraining order, which would have instantly granted him another season. “Given that [Diego Pavia has almost certainly been aware of the challenged bylaws and his ineligibility to play college football in the 2025-26 season for quite some time and has been discussing possible resolution with the NCAA, the Court is not persuaded that an ex parte order is justified”, wrote Judge William Campbell Jr. The lawsuit is ongoing.

As it stands today, Diego Pavia is 2 weeks away from his final CFB game. He’d be seeking to keep his focus on the gridiron in the build-up. Before they take on Tennessee, Vandy has no lay-up either. They travel to Baton Rouge to face the wounded LSU Tigers, looking to snap a losing streak.