Vanderbilt is one of the founding members of the SEC, which dates back to 1933. The conference has seen many members come and go, but Vanderbilt has always remained, even when some schools said the only reason they were there was because they are a founding member. The Commodores have always been known as the school with smarts and not so much with sports.
Due to that, Vanderbilt has always been known as the "little brother" of the SEC, and it made sense for quite a while. Before this season, Vanderbilt had not been bowl-eligible since 2018, and they hadn't been ranked in the Top 25 since 2013. they were ranked in 2012 and 2008 but weren't ranked for 24 years before that.
For years, Vanderbilt has always been the easy game on the schedule for SEC teams, especially South Carolina. The Gamecocks are 29-4 against Vanderbilt which includes a 15-2 record when playing in Nashville, which is where they will be heading this weekend. South Carolina is riding a 15-game win streak against the Commodores in this weekend's matchup and will hope to get No. 16.
However, getting win No. 16 in a row will be a little tougher this year than in years past. The Commodores have had what some would describe as a magical season. It didn't seem like it was going to be all that magical when they started the season 2-2 with losses to Georgia State and then Missouri in double overtime.
The true turn of the tide was when, funny enough, Vanderbilt hosted the Crimson Tide. Alabama was always a team that dominated Vanderbilt; they had not lost a game to the Commodores since 1984, which was 40 years ago.
Vanderbilt pulled off one of the best upsets college football has seen in a long time as the Commodores took down the No. 1 Crimson Tide, their first win over a Top 5 opponent in program history. Vandy then went on to beat Kentucky, Ball State, and Auburn and even gave ranked Texas a serious run for their money.
Even with three losses on the season, Vanderbilt is vastly different this year, and South Carolina needs to be aware of that. The reason for Vandy's recent success this year is thanks to head coach Clark Lea and the terrific and inspirational play of New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia.
Pavia has had quite an impressive season for his first year in a power conference, especially one like the SEC. He has thrown for 1,677 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Along with his passing attack, Pavia has a great rushing attack with 563 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to make for 19 total touchdowns on the season.
This Vanderbilt team is no longer one to overlook this season, and even though South Carolina has a great win streak against this team, as well as an 83.3% win percentage, their best against any SEC team, they need to be ready. If there is one thing Shane Beamer's squad has shown is that they always come into a game ready.