The No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores are not supposed to be here.
But, through the early part of the season, they have earned national attention. On Game Runs Deep, the discussion turned to whether the Commodores are one of the most underrated teams in the country.
The results speak for themselves. Vanderbilt has beaten every team on its schedule so far and the Commodores have done it convincingly. That includes a dominant 31-7 win over then No. 11 ranked South Carolina, a result that forced a re-evaluation of what this team could be.
The difference starts at quarterback. For the second straight season Diego Pavia has been the catalyst, providing both production and leadership. Since transferring to Vanderbilt from New Mexico State in 2024, Pavia has contributed as a passer and runner, giving Vanderbilt an identity on offense and a player defenses must account for on every snap.
In a program that has historically struggled to generate momentum, the combination of Pavia, chief consultant to the head coach Jerry Kill, offensive coordinator Tim Beck, and head coach Clark Lea has brought energy and confidence.
The Commodores look organized, physical and capable of competing week to week. That alone separates this team from what has been expected in the past, but Vandy’s schedule will continue to test that.
Matchups against top SEC opponents still loom, and that will ultimately define the season, but the early start has already changed the conversation. Vanderbilt is no longer an automatic win for its opponents, and if this continues, it could become one of the more difficult teams to figure out in the SEC.