This weekend in college football marks a pivotal moment for Vanderbilt, as they travel to Tuscaloosa aiming to defend one of the biggest wins in their program’s history. Last year, the Commodores shocked Alabama with a 40-35 upset, a significant SEC victory driven by quarterback Diego Pavia, who showcases an immense level of confidence in preparing for another challenge against Bama.

In a story by On3, Pavia indicated that if Vanderbilt plays their game, the performance will be decisive: “I don’t know what they’re doing, I just focus on us, but I know we’ve got to bring it, that’s for sure,” Pavia stated. He acknowledged the crowd could play a significant role, but emphasized, “If we do that, if we play our game, it won’t be close.”

Pavia’s confidence stems from Vanderbilt’s strong start this season, currently holding a 5-0 record, which includes victories over Virginia Tech and South Carolina. His high level of play is already sparking discussions about the Heisman Trophy.

On the opposite side, Alabama is rebounding after a Week 1 defeat to Florida State, entering this matchup as heavy favorites following their win over Georgia last week.

Part of Pavia’s confidence regarding Vanderbilt’s chances against Alabama comes from the guidance of former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, who has befriended Pavia since relocating to Nashville. Manziel is expected to be in attendance as Pavia aims to surpass his notable road upset against the Crimson Tide while playing for Texas A&M.

“I beat [Alabama] once. Diego’s got a chance to beat them twice,” Manziel told On3. “That’s the kind of s–t they build statues for.”