Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

'Vanderbilt is going to run Tennessee after this year' - Commodores QB Diego Pavia just added fuel to the rivalry with the Vols

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 10:35 AM ET

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia added fuel this week to the already heated rivalry with the Tennessee Vols.

Pavia joined Bussin with the Boys and he was asked if Vanderbilt should be considered the it school in the state of Tennessee.

"Vanderbilt is gonna run Tennessee after this year," said Pavia. "This is gonna be the new staple of college football. It's going to happen here at Vanderbilt."

"Everyone wants to come to [the state of] Tennessee because of Nashville," continued Pavia. "They want to come to Nashville, so Vanderbilt [is in Nashville. And then when we have the most money in NIL, like, why not come here? So, we literally just have to win this year, and throughout the rest of the year, it'll take care of itself."

Pavia and the Commodores lost 36-23 to the Volunteers in Nashville last season.

The two programs will meet in Knoxville in 2025.

Vanderbilt, which won five out of seven against the Vols between 2012 and 2018, hasn't won in Knoxville since 2017.

There's no doubt that the Commodores are on the upswing under Clark Lea. But suggesting that Vanderbilt is going to run the state while Tennessee is in its best stretch of football since the early 2000s seems like a leap from Pavia. You have to respect the confidence from the Vandy quarterback, but he might be out of his depth here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: