Vanderbilt is breaking all the records this season. From getting their team to a 7-1 record for the first time since 1941 to transitioning into a top 10 team this year, they have come a long way so far. But in that journey, one loss still hurts the most, and it’s Texas’s narrow 27-24 win against them last season. Fueled by revenge to take them down this season, Diego Pavia and safety Randon Fontenette certainly did some extra reps in the gym, launching warning signs to the Longhorns as they are ready for a revenge game.

Last season against Texas, Vanderbilt’s offense fell badly, racking up only 269 total yards, and Diego Pavia, just like a true leader, took the entire blame on himself. “As a quarterback, I feel like I put the blame on myself for every loss that we have,” Pavia said.

He continued, “Texas, that’s where two of my interceptions came by tip balls, and so I need to get better. I need to find those throwing lanes. We score on one of those, and then it flips. I’ve just got to be better in my craft and what I do. We’re going to Austin this year, so it’ll be a super exciting environment.” Pavia did have inconsistencies, as the opposition team held him to 143 rushing yards and recorded two interceptions.

This year, he can’t repeat the same mistake. Echoing the same emotion of bouncing back from last season’s misery, even safety Randon Fontenette said the same ahead of their matchup. “It was heartbreaking losing by three. It was a tough game, though, man. You know we fought to the very end, but I feel like this year is going to be a different outcome.”

No wonder the outcome will be different this season, as Vandy’s offense breathes new life this time. Pavia recorded 15 TDs and laid out crunching passes to his teammates, earning him 1,698 yards. He rushed for 458 yards and five TDs, so his dual-threat skills are already raging. On top of that, the five interceptions put him at the top of the list of best two-way quarterbacks.

But the offensive strength doesn’t stop there, as running backs Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young combined for at least five rushing TDs and more than 380 yards. Then the dynamic duo of receiver Junior Sherill and TE Eli Stowers, who have a combined total of seven TDs and 709 receiving yards, also adds to their offensive powers. Even the defense is explosive, as they have held teams to measly 18.8 points and 322.6 yards per game with a solid 21 sacks this season. The only loss they saw this season was against Alabama.

Looking at the Texas Longhorns’ condition, their leaky offensive line and receivers haven’t helped the team and QB Arch Manning. Now that Manning’s presence in the game is unsure after getting sidelined because of a concussion against Mississippi State, the pressure quietly sits on Matthew Caldwell. This game is a do-or-die match for them, as losing to Vanderbilt might shut their championship hopes this season.

In addition, Diego Pavia and his squad are already waiting for revenge. With that, their players are also making a buzz off the field.

Diego Pavia fights against NCAA eligibility rules

Notably, Diego Pavia strives hard to turn his personal NCAA battle into a significant movement that can change college football eligibility rules. Pavia is expanding the fight after winning one more year of JUCO college eligibility with Vanderbilt. His lawyers plan to file an amended complaint in a class-action lawsuit to cover all the players.

Look, Diego Pavia might have won his battle, but it won’t be the same for all. His petition includes multiple players across schools: Vanderbilt’s Tre Richardson, Louisiana Tech’s Andrew Burnette, Virginia Tech’s James Djonkam, and Oklahoma State’s Iman Oates. He and his legal team plan to shut down the rule that counts JUCO years as NCAA eligibility.

The NCAA has pushed back hard, giving only a one-year waiver for JUCO players, but Diego Pavia’s attorney, Ryan Downton, thinks it’s too narrow. That’s precisely why they are trying to change it. As per Downton, the aim is not to destroy all the eligibility rules but to give players a perfect five years to play.

Diego Pavia has already motivated 35 athletes who have filed lawsuits challenging various eligibility restrictions. Boise State’s law professor had praised him, too. “Pavia’s impact has been huge,” Sam Ehrlich said. “The more and more exposure his legal victory gets, the more athletes wonder why they can’t get the same treatment.”

With his striking off-field moves, let’s wait and see how well Pavia and his team hold up against Texas this week and get in some sensational touchdowns.