What a sport! Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt stun No. 1 Alabama

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Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman LT Overton (22) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images

College football is very much a beautiful and dumb sport. However, it’s rarely a sport for underdogs. But sometimes we see magic unfold. Diego Pavia became a wizard on Saturday afternoon in the West End.

The Nick Saban era certainly does feel over in Tuscaloosa. Vanderbilt scored 40 points (with the help of one defensive touchdown) and stunned Alabama in a historic win in front of a home crowd that had a lot more Alabama fans in attendance.

DORES DUB pic.twitter.com/HOgR9mGRK3
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 5, 2024

In the offseason, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea made some significant changes. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator took over play-calling and brought New Mexico State’s head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback to the SEC to install their unique option attack loaded with misdirection on offense.

Alabama had no answers for that attack.

The Commodores rolled up over 400 yards of offense, scored 33 offensive points on nine possessions, and converted 13-of-19 third/fourth down attempts. Quarterback Diego Pavia threw for 252 yards, added 56 rushing yards, and was responsible for two total touchdowns. The dual-threat playmaker was the catalyst and Alabama’s defense had no answers after Jalen Milroe‘s first quarter pick-six put the Tide in a hole they could not get out of. Kalen DeBoer‘s offense scored an efficient 35 points in 10 possessions but that was simply not enough. Can you imagine what “The Paul Finebaum Show” will be like on Monday?

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What a sport.

That juices up the stakes for Kentucky’s next game. The Wildcats will host the Commodores in Week 7 for a conference clash under the lights after a week in the national spotlight. That comes just a week after Kentucky had its time in the spotlight following a top-10 win over Ole Miss.

The 12-team College Football Playoff era continues to deliver the goods. A team that lost to Georgia State just knocked off undefeated Alabama. Are our pet’s heads falling off? Nope, this is just college football.

What a sport.