With a 6-1 record, the Commodores are entering the national conversation, with the spotlight focused on Diego Pavia. His hype train is picking up steam after Vanderbilt beat the LSU Tigers, 31-24, in week 8 mania, and analyst Pat McAfee is in awe. To Vanderbilt faithful’s delight, McAfee has a powerful message for him.

“I’m proud of what Diego has done down there.” Ahead of the LSU vs Vanderbilt game, he had said, “Game Day implications in this game..we might be heading to Music City next week, depending upon the outcome.” With the latest win against the Tigers, it would be the first time since 2008 that College GameDay would make its appearance in Nashville for the Vanderbilt vs Missouri game. And Diego’s outstanding style of QB play has made that possible.

Announcing his move to Nashville, he wrote on X. “Legendarily beautiful Nashville, Tennessee..I CAN’T WAIT to get DAHN there and celebrate the hell out of what Coach Lea, Diego, and the entire Vandy Community has built.” Last time, the pre-game show was present at Vandy’s home game when the Commodores defeated Auburn.

Kirk Herbstreit, who will be accompanied by Peter, is excited for the Music City. “This is gonna be an incredible scene,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “Can’t wait for Saturday! Congratulations to Coach-the Vandy program-and especially the players for creating this recognition-gonna be a great week!!”

Diego Pavia made a huge bang as he defeated Alabama last year. Now, into the 2025 season, although they couldn’t recreate their victory against the Crimson Tide, the momentum is still going strong. With a 6-1 record, the Commodores are entering the playoff conversation. Overall, Pavia has chipped in 15 touchdowns, with another four scores into the season. With a QBR of 85.2, ranking No. 6 nationally, he has completed 1,569 yards, with four interceptions.

Saturday Night Lights feels incomplete without GameDay. Lee Corso was the beloved star whose enormous headgear kept the fans entertained. But after his retirement, the beloved show will go on, continuing his legacy. McAfee, legendary Bama head coach Nick Saban, Recee Davism, Kirk Herbstreit, and Desmond Howard will hit the road to Music City for the Vanderbilt vs Missouri clash.

Remember, just recently, on October 11,  Eli Drinkwitz had expressed his disappointment about how Missouri’s accomplishments have been overshadowed. With eight back-to-back 10-win seasons, they couldn’t get GameDay to Missouri, nor has he received an invitation to the Pat McAfee show. Well, though GameDay won’t be present next week at Missouri, Drinkwitz’s disappointment regarding the lack of GameDay spotlight might be resolved.

Missouri vs Vanderbilt

Similar to Vanderbilt’s record into the season, even the Tigers are coming off a 6-1 record, with their only defeat to Alabama. So, how will the week 9 matchup shape up? According to ESPN Analytics, Vandy has a 55.5% chance to win.

Last season, the Tigers emerged victorious, a 30-27 close victory, with the matchup stretching down to the second overtime. Last season, Drinkwitz had made it plenty clear that Pavia’s offense was a beast. “I think their offense is new and innovative and tough to defend,” Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said ahead of facing Vanderbilt in the 2024 season.

He continued. “They utilize their quarterback, Diego (Pavia), in a lot of different ways, and he gives them a chance on every play to be explosive.” Post LSU win, Clark Lea is dialing down their focus on Mizzou and entering the playoffs. “I don’t want to sound like I’m not excited about the fact that we’ve secured a postseason bid, but we’re really interested in taking this as far as we can.”