For the first time since 2022, Alabama is ranked as the No. 1 team in the country after its 41-34 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs. The last time the Crimson Tide was ranked No.
1, it held on at home to defeat unranked Texas A&M 24-20 before watching Georgia overtake its position atop the rankings. Alabama won't have the luxury of playing at home this weekend as it travels to Nashville to take on the 2-2 Vanderbilt Commodores. This isn't the prototypical Vandy squad, as this team has shown some grit with an opening weekend victory over Virginia Tech and an overtime loss at No.
9 Missouri. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images It all stems from transfer quarterback Diego Pavia. During his first four seasons of college football, which included two years at New Mexico Military Institute and two years at New Mexico State, Pavia led NMI to an NJCAA National Championship before driving the Aggies to their first SEC win over Auburn.
The former Conference-USA Offensive Player of the Year is off to a fast start with his third program, as he was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after his week one performance. Pavia is a true dual-threat quarterback, leading Vanderbilt in rushing with 279 rushing yards to go along with 721 yards through the air. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images His go-to target, tight end Eli Stowers, is also a transfer journeyman as the former four-star quarterback joined Pavia at New Mexico State last season, where he transitioned to tight end.
Totaling 19 catches for 220 .
