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The final showdown of the regular season is never just about stats—it’s about pride, rivalry, and making a superiority statement. For Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia AKA Alabama Slayer, it’s very personal. With Tennessee’s No. 8 ranking and playoff hopes hanging in the balance. Diego Pavia is going an extra mile, literally, to crash the Volunteer’s postseason party, and plans to make the Vols’ weekend miserable. The man’s got every reason to go hard now, since his future in the air because of the NCAA eligibility issues. This could be his last shot to leave his mark on the Commodores’ legacy—and send Tennessee packing.

Recently, On Nov 27, Diego Pavia sat down with Vandys’ press to discuss the upcoming season finale and his physical condition heading in to this weekend matchup. When asked about his body’s condition with just one game left, Pavia didn’t mince words. “Yeah, so this week we have off, so I’ll be here all day just getting treatment—ice bath, hot tub—and just doing everything I can to get prepared for Saturday. No matter what though, like, I’m going to be able to play.” The ideal QB1 talk. That type of commitment makes Pavia stand out. Despite a season full of bumps and bruises, including nagging injuries, the dude’s showing no signs of slowing down, true G. He’s going to give it his all in a game that could define not just his season, but his career at Vanderbilt.

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Pavia’s focus goes beyond just getting on the gridiron, though. When asked about the level of the rivalry with Tennessee, Pavia admitted it wasn’t something that was deeply ingrained in him—he’s from New Mexico, after all. All them boys know fight. “Yeah, you know, I’ve talked to CJ, and obviously a fight broke out last year about it, but I feel like it’s the same with the New Mexico State-UNM rivalry. Like, it’s life or death about…how I’m going to approach it.” In other words, Pavia’s all about high stakes, treating it like the make-or-break showdown it is. You can almost feel the fire in his words—this isn’t just another game. It’s a war, and Pavia is ready to take the field like it’s his last. In his case, you’ll know never.

Diego Pavia’s 2024 Vanderbilt campaign: a season to remember

Diego Pavia’s first season at Vanderbilt has been nothing short of electrifying. After transferring from New Mexico State, the 6’0 dual-threat quarterback has brought life back to the Commodores. The man didn’t waste any time to settle; he came in and he balled out. He quickly became a fan-favorite after that BAMA game. Pavia completed 80% of his passes in that game, throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns. But it wasn’t just all about those arms—he got wheels for his leg, rushing for 671 yards and six touchdowns, showing that he’s not just a pocket passer. With 2,029 passing yards and 16 touchdowns on his name. Safe to say, Pavia has more than lived up to the hype.

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Will Diego Pavia's grit and determination be enough to crush Tennessee's playoff dreams?

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Despite being out of playoff contention. Pavia and the Commodores aren’t just rolling over and giving up on the season. There’s one last mission to complete: derail Tennessee’s playoff dreams. The No. 8 ranked Vols (9-2) knows this ain’t going to be an easy Saturday afternoon game. Here the regular season record ain’t mean much, they very well aware of Diego Pavia’s reputation of pulling big-time upset. This upset will end their dreams. However, Pavia’s looking to play the spoiler again. Whether or not Vanderbilt can pull off the upset remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure—It’s ‘Life or Death for Pavia.

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Will Diego Pavia's grit and determination be enough to crush Tennessee's playoff dreams?