"I would like the substance to match hype": CFB insider sends blunt message to Diego Pavia for Texas matchup in Week 10

Diego Pavia faces a tough test on Saturday afternoon against No. 20 Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC). The quarterback has taken No.9 Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1 SEC) to another level this season after elevating them from one of the worst teams in the SEC to a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

With his performance this season, Pavia has established himself as one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy. However, his performance has dropped in the last couple of games for the Commodores, especially against Alabama and Missouri.

Ahead of the high-stakes game against the Longhorns, Danny Kanell noted on CBS Sports that he is expecting to see Diego Pavia live up to the billing to remain in the Heisman Trophy race.

“Can I say something about Diego Pavia?” Kannell started. “You know what I would like to see from Diego Pavia this week? I would like the substance to match the hype. Because in the last few games, as he has gotten to better competition, the numbers have dwindled. “And I would like to see him put this Vanderbilt team on his back through the air and even through the ground. He did it against Missouri; he had the two rushing touchdowns, but he really hasn't been that much of a passer. I think Texas will be able to take away the ground game. “So I would like to see Diego Pavia step up in some passing situations, make some big plays on the road, and keep this Vanderbilt’s Cinderella story going. If he doesn't, I don't think we should be talking about him for the Heisman Trophy anymore.”

Diego Pavia believes Vanderbilt will run Tennessee in the next years

Following what has been an eventful two seasons for Vanderbilt under Clark Lea, Diego Pavia believes the Commodores will be the premier team of the state of Tennessee in the next couple of years. They've been the best team in the Volunteer State this season.

“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. “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.”

Sitting at No. 9, Vanderbilt is the highest-ranked team in the AP Poll heading into Week 10, ahead of Tennessee at No. 14 and Memphis at No. 25. The Commodores also have the highest chance of making the College Football Playoff according to expert projections.

Edited by Farouk Yusuf