Diego Pavia was more subdued than usual. The Vanderbilt quarterback has a habit of getting excited and dropping profanity in interviews, including after he and his Commodore teammates beat then-No. 1 Alabama football in October.

By the time he appeared at SEC media days on Monday, Pavia had clearly been coached up. He never took the bait to start talking trash, even when the opportunity was offered.

When asked about facing the Crimson Tide again in 2025, he kept his answer simple.

“That stadium is electric,” Pavia said of what he was looking forward to. “I’ve heard about it. And you, just going to come down to who’s more prepared that week and who wants it more.”

To say Vanderbilt beating Alabama rattled the world of college football was underselling the response. In one game, the mighty Crimson Tide dynasty was shattered, while the perception of the Commodores went from the ultimate SEC doormat, playing in an active construction site, to the sport’s upset kings.

Pavia was a ball of energy after the game. Recalling it on Monday, he was quick to credit his teammates.

“”We had (tight end) Eli Stowers, who had a big game for us that week,” Pavia said. “And then obviously (wide receiver) Junior Sherill had a big week too. But I think it’s just who comes more prepared to the game. And I feel like that week, we were the more prepared team.”

The rematch is coming Oct. 4 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Earlier this offseason, UA wideout Ryan Williams made headlines talking about the upcoming game against Vanderbilt, claiming the Crimson Tide will “Kill an ant with a sledgehammer.”

Pavia then shared rap lyrics to his Instagram story, laid over a photo of Williams. However, when asked about it on Monday, he remained polite.

“Obviously he’s a great competitor,” Pavia said. “The kid is naturally talent, gift from God, you know? So I’ll be excited to play him in his home stadium.”

Alabama is scheduled to open the 2025 season on Aug. 30, at Florida State. The Crimson Tide will begin preseason camp in early August.