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Nick Saban reveals Vanderbilt as undefeated team that has surprised him most

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax09/27/25BarkleyTruax
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt enters Week 5 undefeated and ranked No. 18 in the country. During ESPN’s College GameDay, Nick Saban revealed that he’s been surprised to see what the Commodores have been able to accomplish to this point in the season.

Other panel members mentioned Mississippi State and how the Bulldogs have doubled their win total from one year ago. However, Vanderbilt is actively proving that last season’s success may not have been a fluke, but rather the beginning of a new standard in Nashville.

“Jeff Lebby has done a really good job (at Mississippi State). But how about Vanderbilt? Vanderbilt is undefeated,” Saban said. “If they win today, they’re going to go to Alabama undefeated next week. When is the last time that happened?”

Vanderbilt is set to host Utah State on Saturday and are heavy favorites heading into the matchup. All signs point toward the Commodores entering Bryant-Denny Stadium next weekend undefeated. This would make Week 6’s matchup arguably the most intriguing matchups of the slate.

The storyline strengthens further when considering what happened in 2024 when Vanderbilt shocked No. 1 Alabama in Nashville 40-35. Fans stormed the field and tore down the goalpost as their team pulled off what, at one point, was looked at as an impossible outcome.

Vanderbilt went on to finish the season 7-6, which was capped by a win in the Birmingham Bowl. It was the best finish for the Commodores since James Franklin led the program to consecutive nine-win seasons in 2012 and 2013.

Now, Vanderbilt is ranked No. 18 — their highest ranking since 2008 when they checked in as high as No. 13. The Crimson Tide is currently ranked No. 17 and are working their way back up the poll after its season-opening loss to Florida State last month.

While Vanderbilt will try to keep its focus on Utah State in front of them, the Crimson Tide are awarded the luxury of being idle this week. The bye week provides them double the time to not only prepare for Diego Pavia and company, but also to recover and be as fresh as possible in time for the revenge game.

Kickoff for the upcoming SEC showdown has already been announced for the Oct. 4 matchup, and is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. The television designation is to be announced. For Vanderbilt, their Week 5 game vs. Utah State is set for 12:45 p.m. ET live on the SEC Network.