Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores exceeded expectations last season, finishing the 2024 campaign with a 7-6 record, including an upset victory against powerhouse Alabama. Can Pavia replicate his heroics of last season and lead the Commodores to SEC glory in 2025? Here’s a preview of Vanderbilt’s upcoming college football campaign.
Vanderbilt 2025 College Football Season Preview
Personnel Overview
Vanderbilt received a massive boost when a federal judge ruled that Diego Pavia’s junior-college seasons don’t count against the star quarterback’s eligibility clock. Pavia’s return is crucial for the Commodores since he was the main reason behind their ascent last season. He powered Vanderbilt’s offense in 2024, completing 177 of 298 passes for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
“Diego Pavia is a DOG.” 😤@VandyFootball | @diegopavia02 pic.twitter.com/NRQNXvbZPZ
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 15, 2025
Tight end Eli Stowers also returns after he decided to skip this year’s NFL Draft. He was a key target for Pavia last season, catching 49 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns. Sedrick Alexander, who ran for 586 yards and six scores last year, is back as the team’s RB1.
The Commodores also added key players through the transfer portal, including offensive lineman Jordan White, linebacker Keanu Koht, defensive lineman Jaylon Stone, offensive tackle Bryce Henderson, wide receiver Tre Richardson, cornerback Jordan Matthews, and offensive tackle Isaia Glass. Vanderbilt made it a point to bolster its offensive line to give Pavia ample protection.
Schedule Overview
The Vanderbilt Commodores will open their 2025 schedule with a home game against Charleston Southern. A two-game road trip will follow that matchup, with Vanderbilt set to face Virginia Tech and South Carolina. The Commodores return for a two-game home stand against Georgia State and Utah State before traveling to Tuscaloosa for a much-anticipated rematch against Alabama.
Vanderbilt will follow that clash with home games against LSU and Missouri. The Commodores will then travel to Texas to face Arch Manning and the Longhorns on Nov. 1 before hosting Auburn and Kentucky for their final home games of the season. They will conclude their regular season with an away matchup against Tennessee on Nov. 29.
Win-Loss Prediction
Posting another winning record in 2025 won’t be easy for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Their schedule is one of the toughest in the SEC this season, with Vanderbilt set to face four top-15 teams on the road, including College Football Playoff national championship contenders Alabama and Texas.
Vanderbilt will get home wins in the first half of the season against Charleston Southern, Georgia State, and Utah State. Unfortunately for the Commodores, they will only get two more victories after that against Missouri and Kentucky to finish the season with a 5-7 slate.
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