Alabama LB tells what is different about Vanderbilt on film this year

Sep 27, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws a pass against the Utah State Aggies during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt is bringing an offense led by an explosive playmaker in Diego Pavia to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Commodores continue to run misdirection, run-pass option and read option plays with Pavia at the helm, but Alabama linebacker, Deontae Lawson feels Vanderbilt’s offense is more wide open this season with the improvements Pavia has made.

“It’s pretty much the same offense,” Lawson told reporters. “They do a lot more in the passing game because Pavia is definitely improved as a passer, and that just opened them up more in the passing game. But it’s still the same thing for real.”

The Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack feels Pavia looks much better than he did a year ago heading into this matchup. Wommack feels the dual-threat signal caller is an elite quarterback.

“I think they’re playing highly efficient right now on offense,” Wommack said. “I think they have a great identity in terms of how they play team football. Diego Pavia is an exceptional football player. I think he has gone from being a really good playmaker to an elite quarterback. And I think, you know, until you turn on the tape, you don’t realize how much improvement you would have seen from him from last year to this year. And it’s really exceptional. I mean, the work that he’s put in, the work they’re coaching staff has put in to make him an elite quarterback relevant to the SEC stage is impressive. He’s completed almost 75 percent of his passes. They’ve created 53 explosive plays on offense through five games, which is exceptional. And he’s also their leading rusher.”

Vanderbilt has one of the most explosive offenses in all of college football, with the Commodores averaging 494 yards a game.