3 problematic Vanderbilt players vs. Texas

Diego Pavia, QB

Fellow former New Mexico State transfer Pavia is the driving force that powers this hard-to-defend Vanderbilt offense. Pavia's dual-threat ability and ability to make smart decisions and avoid untimely turnovers makes him the perfect leader for Vanderbilt's balanced and efficient offensive scheme this season.

Pavia has been efficient and uber-difficult to defend in almost every way. He's able to pick up valuable yards on the ground and keep opposing defenders and linebackers on their toes in Vanderbilt's option concepts on offense. You can't all-out blitz him or give him too much time to get outside the pocket and make plays with his legs to pick up valuable yards on the ground.

Often overlooked, though, is Pavia's ability to spread the ball around to his top players in the receiving corps in the passing game in Vanderbilt's methodical short and intermediate passing offense gameplans.

To illustrate how good of a job Pavia has done taking care of the football for Vanderbilt's offense, he's the only SEC quarterback with double-digit touchdown passes and no more than one interception. He's very experienced and accurate and knows where to place the ball to give only his receiver a chance to make a play on it.

Pavia also leads all SEC quarterbacks with just one turnover-worthy play this season (per PFF).

Sarkisian respects Vanderbilt's offense and their ability to control the clock and keep the chains moving.

"I think that when you're playing a team like Vanderbilt, who is very efficient, can control the ball, can extend drives on third downs, things of that nature, it's not counting the plays or the possessions, it's making the plays and making the possessions count,"

- Steve Sarkisian

Texas's linebackers and edge rushers will have to do their jobs to not overcommit defending the run and hold their lanes to keep Pavia and the Vanderbilt ground game contained this weekend. I also trust Texas's corners to do their job in coverage against the Vandy receivers.

Where Vandy could find some daylight against Texas's secondary is at the safety position. The Longhorns could be down two safety starters this weekend after sophomore Derek Williams Jr. suffered a season-ending injury a couple of weeks ago, and senior Andrew Mukuba is listed as "doubtful" on the injury report with a lower-body injury.