What's at stake for Vanderbilt football vs Tennessee including Diego Pavia Heisman odds
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Vanderbilt football has a lot at stake against Tennessee. So does Diego Pavia.
The No. 12 Commodores (9-2, 5-2 SEC) are searching for their first 10-win season ever. Even if they don't beat the No. 18 Vols (8-3, 4-3), they'll have one more chance in a bowl game.
Vanderbilt is attempting to make the College Football Playoff, and while a win over Tennessee would bolster its case, the Commodores likely need help from other teams to qualify.
Pavia is also rising up the Heisman odds after breaking a school record with 484 passing yards in a 45-17 rout of Kentucky. He is between second and fourth in the odds depending on the sportsbook, with other contenders including Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Here's some of what's at stake against the Vols:
How Diego Pavia might play in a rivalry game
Pavia is the kind of player who gets up more for a rivalry game. Dating back to his time at New Mexico State, he became notorious for peeing on rival New Mexico's practice field, which he said was in part due to the Lobos not offering him a scholarship.
Pavia twice beat New Mexico when he was with the Aggies. However, he has yet to beat Tennessee with Vanderbilt. The Commodores lost last year's game, 36-23, at FirstBank Stadium.
In an offseason appearance on the "Bussin' with the Boys" podcast, Pavia said, "Vanderbilt's going to run Tennessee after this year. The new staple of college football is going to happen here at Vanderbilt. Everyone wants to come to Tennessee because of Nashville. And then when we have the most money in NIL, why not come here? We literally just have to win this year and the rest will take care of itself."
Pavia has mostly backed up his big talk this season, but he surely knows the backlash that could await if Vanderbilt does not, in fact, "run Tennessee."
How Tennessee game could impact Diego Pavia's Heisman odds
Vanderbilt will have another nationally televised game against Tennessee, though it was placed in the ESPN slot rather than ABC, as LSU vs. Oklahoma got that slot.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
Still, this is likely to be the best game in the afternoon. It's not up against the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, nor "The Game" between Michigan and Ohio State. Plenty of eyeballs should be on the game.
In theory, this won't matter for Vanderbilt's College Football Playoff hopes, but it could for Pavia's Heisman odds. Heisman voters are media members, and they will likely be tuned into the game. Of course, if the Commodores don't win, it will likely end any chance Pavia has.
How Vanderbilt can make College Football Playoff
There's a good chance that, even with a win over Tennessee, Vanderbilt does not make the College Football Playoff. The Commodores are stuck behind Oklahoma and Alabama right now, with no real path to passing either unless one of them loses next week. Alabama and Oklahoma both beat Tennessee and both have a win better than that as well (Alabama over Georgia and Oklahoma over Alabama). The Crimson Tide also beat Vanderbilt head-to-head. A loss by Notre Dame could also put Vanderbilt in the field, though against Stanford, that's unlikely.
One potential other option is if Ole Miss loses the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, especially if coach Lane Kiffin leaves thereafter. Both Ole Miss and Vanderbilt would be 10-2, with the Rebels having both a better win, but also a worse loss than the Commodores would. It's not a given they would fall below Vanderbilt, but it's certainly a possibility.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football vs Tennessee, what's at stake for Diego Pavia
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