Diego Pavia claims Vanderbilt's history is punishing Commodores in College Football Playoff debate

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia joined SportsCenter on Thursday, where he was asked for his thoughts on the Commodores being ranked No. 14 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings. It’s safe to say the Heisman Trophy candidate is not a fan.

“I think it’s a lot of politics at the top with what’s going on,” Pavia said. “I think if you look at our strength of schedule at the beginning of the year, the people we beat, when we beat them, on the road. There’s no other 10-2 SEC team left out. That’s the other thing. And then, they have Texas ahead of us, too. I don’t know what’s going on or what they’re thinking up there, but I feel like we deserve to be in the College Football Playoff.”

Although Texas did beat Vanderbilt 34-31 earlier this season in Austin, it suffered three losses to Vandy’s two. One of these losses came to 4-8 Florida on Oct. 4, which was the main catalyst for keeping the Longhorns out of the Playoff. No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Miami are also both ranked ahead of Vanderbilt, as they both secured a victory against a team present in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings.

No. 11 BYU knocked off now-ranked No. 15 Utah 24-21 on Oct. 18, and No. 12 Miami opened its season with a 27-24 win over now-ranked No. 10 Notre Dame, 27-24. Vanderbilt does not own a victory over a team ranked in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings.

Diego Pavia says Vanderbilt’s history hurts its CFP case

Pavia was then asked whether or not he believed Vanderbilt‘s CFP case has been hurt by its history. Prior to last season, the Commodores compiled a horrific 36-83 record across nine seasons from 2014-2023. From Pavia’s perspective, the committee has not yet wiped that stigma away from the program.

“For sure,” Pavia responded when asked if Vanderbilt’s history hurts their case. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing why we’re being punished. If we had another logo, we’re in the College Football Playoff, no question. And I think if you put everyone’s resume on a piece of paper and slid it out to the teams on the bubble, they’re choosing ours every single time.”

After an offseason full of boisterous claims (including being one of the best quarterbacks in college football and that Vanderbilt would be one of the best teams in the country), Pavia absolutely backed up everything he said. The controversial figure has passed for 3,192 yards (program single-season record), 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 826 yards and nine more scores.

With Pavia at the helm, Vanderbilt compiled a 10-2 regular season record, its best in program history. Maybe more than anybody in recent college football history, Pavia helped completely change the perception of Vanderbilt Football. After being thought of as an afterthought since James Franklin departed in 2013, the Commodores are now hauling in massive recruits (such as Jared Curtis) as they look to become one of the SEC’s powers in the NIL era.

Although it’s been a historic season in Nashville, it does appear that Clark Lea‘s program will have to settle for a bowl game. With a win, Vanderbilt would notch its 11th victory for the first time in program history.