No. 17 Vanderbilt shows it's a legit SEC title contender with win over No. 10 LSU

The Southeastern Conference is loaded, and much more time is likely needed until the favorites to win the league's championship will be known.

But one thing is clear: The Vanderbilt Commodores are a significant contender to vie for an SEC title, especially after a huge 31-24 home win over top-10 LSU on Saturday.

No. 17 Vanderbilt, playing before an energized crowd in Nashville, Tennessee, didn't blow out No. 10 LSU, but the Commodores did control the game.

Vanderbilt can dream big after win over LSU

With this win, Vanderbilt (6-1 overall, 2-1 in the SEC) clinches bowl eligibility, but the Commodores have their collective sights set on something much bigger.

Vanderbilt made a bowl game last year — and won it over Georgia Tech — but Pavia has said more than once that his aspirations in 2025 are to compete for a national championship, not just get to another bowl game.

Vanderbilt graduate student quarterback Diego Pavia also showed why he should be in consideration for the Heisman Trophy.

Pavia is doing his part to have Vanderbilt in the conversation for an SEC championship and an invite to the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Against LSU (5-2 overall, 2-2 in the SEC), Pavia threw for 160 yards with one touchdown while also rushing for 86 yards and two more scores on the ground. He has a combined 15 passing touchdowns against just four interceptions so far in the 2025 campaign, along with four rushing TDs.

Looking ahead at Vanderbilt's schedule

Vanderbilt's only setback in 2025 has been against highly ranked Alabama on the road. Looking ahead, the Commodores will host No. 16 Missouri, Auburn and Kentucky. Vanderbilt can sweep that trio of SEC contests.

On the road, Vanderbilt will travel to No. 21 Texas and No. 11 Tennessee. That's daunting, although the Longhorns have been up and down in the 2025 season to date, while the Commodores will be fired up to battle in-state rival Tennessee in Knoxville during the regular-season finale.

If Vanderbilt holds serve at home and splits its road affairs with Texas and the Vols, that would put the Commodores at 10-2 overall and 6-2 in SEC play.

Yes, Vanderbilt's four-game non-conference docket was relatively soft, but a 10-2 mark would put the Commodores squarely in the mix for a possible berth in the SEC title game, to be held on Dec. 6 in Atlanta.

Vanderbilt would also be a prime candidate to reach the CFP, which would be a huge accomplishment for a program that has spent many years in the SEC's basement but is on the upswing these days.