There are running quarterbacks, then there is Diego Pavia.
The former has been known to give Alabama football defenses trouble, the most recent example being FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos. But the latter can do a lot more as a runner than scramble out of the pocket and take advantage of open space. Pavia, Vanderbilt 's star quarterback, is more like a running back who can throw. He'd rather break tackles than slide to avoid contact. Quite simply, he's fearless. And he's got the power and strength to get plenty of yards after contact. Per Crimson Tide defensive end LT Overton , that's exactly how the UA defense is approaching its preparation.
"He's mentioned as a back in our room," Overton said.
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Indeed, Pavia's 294 yards leads his team, and he averages 6.1 per carry. He comes to Tuscaloosa this weekend at the helm of a 5-0 team. And he'll also come with some high-profile supporters in former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel , and comedian Theo Von, who's become a Pavia fan as well.
As for Pavia's celebrity, Overton doesn't care to see it grow on Saban Field. And his play will be critical in that effort.
"They'll throw three or four options at you, based on what the end is going to do. I'm going to have to keep my eyes in the right place and do my job," he added.
The last time Vanderbilt visited Bryant-Denny Stadium, in 2022, the cheap seats were truly cheap — around $40 per ticket. Not so this time around. With the Commodores entering at 5-0 and ranked No. 17 in the nation, ticket prices for UA-Vandy are sky-high by comparison. As of Wednesday morning, the cheapest tickets available in the BDS upper decks at stubhub.com were listed for $160 or more per seat. Those prices will fall as Saturday approaches, but if you think $40 will get you in again, dig deeper.
"Him being not on the team but always talking to us is huge. ... His voice is still heard." - Ty Simpson on former UA OL Tyler Booker , who stays in touch with the Crimson Tide as a Dallas Cowboys rookie.
Along with a quarterback leading Vandy in rushing, a tight end leads the Commodores in receiving ( Eli Stowers ). That unusual combination has nevertheless underpinned the fourth-highest scoring offense in college football at 49 points per game. Stowers has 22 catches for 301 yards, and in VU's win over Alabama last year, he caught six balls for 113. ... Look for increased snaps against Vanderbilt for Alabama freshmen Dijon Lee and Justin Hill. With UA cornerback Domani Jackson struggling in run support against Georgia last week, Alabama can ill-afford more of the same when Vandy's option pitch attacks the perimeter. Meanwhile, Hill could help fill in for LB Qua Russaw , who sustained a broken foot against the Bulldogs.
After coming oh-so-close to snapping its SEC losing streak in an overtime home loss to Tennessee , Mississippi State now travels to Texas A&M having lost 12 league games in a row dating back to 2023. The Bulldogs are vastly improved from last season however, and it's just a matter of time before they notch an SEC win. ... Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said Monday that his penalty-ridden team will now have to contribute to the "Texas A&M Football Coaches Cabo Fund," to which players will have to contribute if they commit a penalty. It's a funny joke in 2025, but if players eventually unionize and engage in collective bargaining agreements, things like that could be on the table.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: QB Diego Pavia treated like a RB in Alabama football preparations
