For the first time since 2014, ESPN’s College GameDay will appear at a Missouri game. Moreover, it’s also the first time since 2008 that the show will broadcast from Vanderbilt’s Wyatt Lawn. In 2014, South Carolina welcomed Missouri for CGD, and the Tigers triumphed in that matchup 21-20. This makes it a massive moment for both teams, who haven’t been in the national spotlight for years. But the buzz does not affect Eli Drinkwitz, who focuses more on taking down Vanderbilt.

Ahead of GameDay in Nashville, Vandy has already sold out tickets, which will fill FirstBank Stadium under its current capacity for the showdown contest. Rather than buzzing excitedly, Eli Drinkwitz keeps his foot on the gas pedal.

“Is it in First Bank Stadium? In fact, anything then for us. We’re the road team, so we’ll show up, we’ll go to the visitors locker room, we’ll walk out on the field, and we’ll play the game. I don’t know whatever else they got for their fans. It’s up to them, but it doesn’t affect us. I don’t even think they want to talk to us,” Eli said to the media.

Look, Vanderbilt is emerging as one of the most dynamic teams in the country. After their victory against LSU, it’s pretty apparent they are not here to make friends. So, this realistic approach works well for the team. Yes, they must stay focused as they’re going up against a team scoring 41.4 points per game over seven games.

Let’s not forget their 70- and 55-point games against Georgia State and Utah State, which consecutively averaged 50-plus points for the first time since 1915. Eli Drinkwitz’s stance of staying unfazed by the storm remains crucial to maintaining the team’s focus.

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Now, going up against them, Drinkwitz’s team must tackle their inconsistencies in key areas. Even though they ran the ball an average of 49.4 times per game in their first five games, they only threw 28 passes against Alabama, similar to their efforts to improve their passing game. Their defense limited their RB in another key area. Ahmad Hardy had just 12 carries, and Jamal Roberts was limited to just 5. Even Beau Pribula completed 16 of 28 attempts against them. So, Drinkwitz’s team shouldn’t focus more on the spotlight because if their game falters, their playoff chances appear slim.

This game is crucial for both teams in their playoff run, especially for Missouri. ESPN’s analyst Heather Dinich makes it pretty clear, stating, “Mizzou is in a similar spot, right, because they also lost to Alabama, but they have even less to compensate for it on their schedule right now. Because not only do they need a win against a ranked opponent, but this would also be their first win against an opponent with a winning record.”

Alabama was their only chance to shine, but if they miss out against Vanderbilt, too, things might not turn out how they want, especially when Pavia stands before them.

Eli Drinkwitz gets real on Diego Pavia’s impact

If anyone is holding up Vanderbilt’s fate, it’s Diego Pavia. This guy has been turning heads since last year after showing his dominance against Alabama. Now? He pushed his team’s fate even this season, winning against teams like LSU and South Carolina. Eli Drinkwitz’s team will chase Pavia in this week’s showdown. Let’s be real – stopping an explosive QB like him won’t be a straightforward task.

Pavia’s stats show his excellence on the field. Last year, he recorded 2,293 yards with 20 touchdowns and was only intercepted four times. But this year? He took his game play to another level; his completion percentage went from 59.4 to 70.5. He’s already topping the charts, throwing for 1,569 yards with 15 TDs and continuing to tackle defense through his legs.

In addition, he has rushed for 438 yards after rushing for 800 yards last year. One could say this QB is a complete package, and that means he could stress Eli Drinkwitz’s defense; he knows it well. “I don’t know that any of them are as good at the improvisation as Diego,” Drinkwitz said. “That stuff is hard to replicate, and I think he’s the best that I’ve seen doing that. He’s a magician back there.”

It will be interesting to see how Missouri reacts against Pavia this week because if they fumble, their championship hopes might take a serious hit.