Sarkisian stated after the Oklahoma game that culture beats talent! If you have talent plus culture, that’s when you’re really scary

AJ Hoggard and Tyler Nickel will talk at 1:25-1:45.
Mark Byington takes the podium at 2:30-2:50.

I think this is an area of weakness that must be fixed. I mean kickoff and punt return coverage. Giving up too many yards and almost run backs for TDs.

Ranking College Football’s Top 50 Newcomers at Midseason

Vandy with 2 deserving contributors on this impressive list.

This includes transfers and freshman, or new starters. Anyone new on the scene.

8. QB Diego Pavia​

Transfer: New Mexico State to Vanderbilt


Pavia's heroics -- and postgame charm -- in the Commodores' 40-35 win over Alabama in Week 6 alone were enough to justify his place on this list. Indeed, the upset of the top-ranked Crimson Tide cemented Pavia's place in Vanderbilt football history. But the 2023 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year has found a true home in Tim Beck's offense, where Pavia ranks 27th nationally and fifth among SEC quarterbacks with 13.1 yards per completion and has the Commodores averaging 34.7 points per game, 28th among FBS offenses.

49. TE Eli Stowers​

Transfer: New Mexico State to Vanderbilt



A once-promising Texas A&M quarterback signee, Stowers converted to tight end last fall and then became one of the New Mexico State transfers who followed Jerry Kill to Vanderbilt in 2024. Only nine tight ends across the country have been targeted more than Stowers (38) this fall, and he was a handful for the Crimson Tide, hauling in six passes for 113 yards in the Commodores' upset of Alabama. Altogether, Stowers' 333 receiving yards are ninth most among FBS tight ends.

We all just talk about making a bowl game. Rightfully so, that's always our goal, as it should be.

But, can this team do more?

It's an absurd thought, I know. We lost to Georgia State, after all.

But, this team is starting to look like it can win any game left on the schedule, including Texas.

We just beat one of the most talented teams in the country in Alabama. Then, went on the road and beat one of the toughest, most physical teams in the country in Kentucky.

Injuries can dictate a lot. Let Pavia go down, we are done. May not win another game if that happens.

But, if Pavia stays healthy, this team believes so much in him, they think that they're invincible too. Win out, and, we are in. That's what Pavia is thinking, and so is this team.

Yeah, I know, you're thinking ole Woody has stayed up all night drinking. But, I never in a million years would've dreamed we would've won these last two games, either.

Wouldn't that shock the world, Vanderbilt in the playoffs?

⚓️👇

Out this morning doing some things wearing Vandy gear as usual. At one of my stops, an employee said, "How about those Dores?". At another, the cashier asked, "Did you see the big game?" "I was there" I replied. She asked, "Did you help carry the goalpost". I had to admit I did not---the days that I participate in those kinds of things have passed me by. But these things made me realize that now is the time for the Vanderbilt administration to do everything it can, holding nothing back, to improve the football program and build the fan base. Of course, a couple more wins and a bowl game would help as well. But it appears that this win over Alabama has captured the attention of nearly everyone in Nashville. Add to that some guy named Pavia and college football fans across the country have taken notice. Now is the time to really change the trajectory of Vanderbilt football.

Again, I reiterate MAYBE some inside info.

Probably not, but with Mack Brown about to be fired, these two brothers being local, and Vanderbilt football being one of the hottest stories in the country, I would say there is something there.

Cade and Crews Law are two local kids that went to North Carolina over Vanderbilt. I imagine a lot of you were like me, and disappointed that they didn't stay home.

Well, I was talking to someone that I know today. I knew that he had went to watch his two nephews play a home game at North Carolina the same day we played Bama. At this time, I wasnt aware of who his nephews were. Today was the first day that I had seen him since that day.

So I asked him how his trip to North Carolina went. He told me it went well, and that he and all his family went to eat and watch the Vanderbilt vs Bama game.

He was telling me how nervous his two nephews were the whole Vanderbilt game, they were into every play that much. I said they actually care that much about Vanderbilt? He said "Yeah, they're from here, went to CPA and almost went to Vanderbilt." Me still not putting 2+2 together yet, said Vanderbilt's middle LB went to CPA, Langston Patterson. He said " Yeah, they played with him. They are Cade and Crews Law. I think that they wished that they had went there, especially with how this season is going." He also said one of them is dating a Vanderbilt lacrosse or soccer player.

Anyways, again, it's just talk and speculation, but he said that they were really into the VU vs Bama game, and considering that Brown is probably done after this year, I could totally see that happening.

Just thought that I would pass that along, in case Vanderbilt wanted reach out by whatever channels are used in this wild recruiting and NIL world we live in. 😀

Yes, they are 2-4 (thanks Seadiddy). Let's take a look at how they rank in the MAC stat book for 2026. 12 MAC teams.

Ball State MAC Rankings

• Total Offense - 5th at 27.0 ppg
• Total Offense (yards) - 8th at 339/game
• Offensive TDs - 4th with 21
• Total Defense - 11th at 46.0 ppg
• Total Defense (yards) - last at 506.8 yards/game
• Defensive TDs - Last - giving up 38 TDs

Relative NCAA Rankings

Total Offense:
Vandy 96th at 353.8.
Ball State 108th at 337.2

Offense 3rd down conversion:
Vandy 10th at 51.2%
Ball State 69th at 40.7%

Total Defense:
Vandy 54th at 342.0 ypg
Ball State 132nd (out of 133) at 504.2 ypg

3rd down defense:
Vandy 97th at 42.7%
Ball State 128th at 50%

Turnover Margin
Vandy - Tied for 15th at +1
Ball State - 97th at -3

To me the floor of this regular season (assuming team health doesn’t blow up) is now 6 wins. A bowl game. And a bowl win. Vandy will be one of the rare teams having a fully staffed bowl game of players active. The floor for this season imo is 7 wins (includes bowl). The ceiling being 9 wins. There is only one game I don’t think Vandy can win without a perfect on field result, and that is Texas. Tennessee, LSU are both beatable with a Virginia tech caliber performance. Plus, I think it is fair to say, when the home field is over run with opposing team fans this team gets fired up. Only 3 more wins this regular season would be a bit of a bummer but at the same time it’s a heck of an accomplishment with. Vegas having Vandy at 2.5 wins and .5 (so zero) sec wins.

Was watching Read and React on the SEC network just now. It is hosted by Cole Cubelic and Roman Harper, and is a weekly show.

At the end of their show, they always do a "Block Party", showing the best blocks of the week. The weekly award winning prize is the Golden Hog.

They showed a couple of different players, and then they showed Sedrick Alexander highlights from the Kentucky game. They showed him running, receiving, and blocking, especially the two "decleaters" Sedrick had. Cole said he loves to see a guy get blocked so good that you see his cleats in the air.

Then he named Alexander the Golden Hog winner for the the week.

I thought it was pretty cool!

Now for the main SEC attraction. “Can’t spell Kevorkian without a V!”

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This looks to be the precedent set that they'll follow for Hoggard.

Shea Ralph has received a contract extension heading into her fourth season with the Commodores.

Vanderbilt made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years last season.

I’ve seen so many people jumping on the bandwagon and I love it. There is a place in Huntsville that sells college merch. I asked where the Vandy stuff was, he said I was the 4th person asking for it. Those of us who have persevered through those bad year, we know how special this is

First team outside looking in.

I hope they're wrong.....

Apparently, that's our new name! 🤣🤣

Anyways, this is a pretty good breakdown of week 8 in the SEC.

Bought his jersey at the beginning of the season! He runs hard, catches out of the backfield and is shifty. Perfect back for this system. Also a killer blocker.