'That's a lethal combination': Vanderbilt's passing game evolution has elevated this offense

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt — Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt enters the final two-week stretch of the season with eight wins and a legitimate chance to earn a College Football Playoff bid. The Commodores have gotten here because of the offense. However, this is not the same offense that Kentucky saw last season.

In the first year under offensive coordinator Tim Beck, Vandy ranked No. 12 nationally in run play percentage (60.25%). That led the SEC. The Commodores have slipped to No. 82 nationally in run play percentage (51.07%). That is 11th in the SEC but that is not a bad thing. The passing game has taken off in year two.

Star quarterback Diego Pavia is completing 70 percent of his 27.3 passing attempts per game for 244 yards per game on 8.9 yards per attempt. Pavia reached 300 passing yards just twice in his first three years in this system. The quarterback has reached that threshold three times this season. Pavia went over 300 yards in the last two games with a completion rate over 70 percent and a yards per attempt of 9-plus. Vandy enters Saturday ranked No. 3 in EPA/dropback and No. 3 in passing success rate.

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Kentucky will have their hands full with this passing game on Saturday afternoon.

“The difference this year from when we played them last year is just they’ve really expanded the pass game. The route concepts and the pass game is at a completely different level than it was last year,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said about the Vanderbilt offense on Wednesday. “So now they have the ability to run and run the ball well, but then they also have it when they want to throw they can throw the ball really well.

“That’s a lethal combination. It’s why they’re top-10 in points.”

Kentucky’s pass defense has made some strides in recent weeks but does enter this matchup with some injuries in the secondary. Earlier this season, four different SEC offenses finished north of nine yards per attempt against this pass defense. That is concerning for the Wildcats entering this contest. Vanderbilt is throwing the football as well as anyone in college football.

What has been a weakness for UK this season will be tested on Saturday.