By Harshit | Nashville, Tenn. | October 19, 2025 | 6:45 AM CST
Vanderbilt’s Rise, LSU’s Fall
For No. 10 LSU, Saturday’s loss to No. 17 Vanderbilt wasn’t just another SEC stumble — it was a flashing red warning light for head coach Brian Kelly and his underwhelming tenure. The Commodores earned a stunning 31–24 victory at FirstBank Stadium, seizing control of the line of scrimmage, dominating time of possession, and capitalizing in the red zone on both ends of the field.
With the win, Vanderbilt improved to 6–1, its best start in 75 years, and now finds itself in the early College Football Playoff conversation. LSU, on the other hand, is quickly tumbling out of contention.
Kelly’s Tigers, once hyped as a preseason powerhouse, have failed to deliver on either side of the ball. Despite averaging 6.6 yards per play, LSU’s offense sputtered in critical moments, settling for four field goals and failing to sustain drives deep into Commodore territory.
Vanderbilt’s defense, led by second-year coordinator Blake Baker, stifled LSU’s ground game and outmuscled them up front. The Commodores allowed just 24 points despite giving up yardage between the 20s, forcing LSU to kick instead of score.
Diego Pavia’s Star Turn
The hero of the night was Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who accounted for 246 total yards and three touchdowns. His dual-threat ability shredded LSU’s front seven, exposing lingering defensive weaknesses that have haunted the Tigers all season.
Pavia’s precision and poise kept the offense balanced, while running backs Patrick Smith and Sedrick Alexander combined to grind out 239 rushing yards at 5.3 yards per carry. The performance not only broke Vanderbilt’s 10-game losing streak against LSU but also put Pavia back into Heisman Trophy discussions after a disappointing outing against Alabama earlier in the season.
“This is the most complete team performance I’ve ever been a part of,” Pavia said postgame. “We played fearless football.”
LSU’s Leadership Crisis
For Kelly, this latest SEC loss could mark a turning point — and not in a good way. The LSU fan base has little patience for mediocrity, and the echoes of past coaching departures are growing louder.
“The last LSU coach to lose to Vanderbilt didn’t make it two months,” one analyst noted grimly. “Kelly won’t resign, but it’s hard to see him surviving this trajectory.”
Kelly’s intense personality and public outbursts were tolerated at Notre Dame because they came with results: 113 wins and eight ranked finishes. But in Baton Rouge, where national titles are the standard, his act is wearing thin without victories to back it up.
Even LSU’s defensive improvements under Baker couldn’t offset the offense’s inconsistency. Missed opportunities, red-zone failures, and soft run defense told the story once again.
The Bigger SEC Picture
Vanderbilt’s statement win reshuffles the SEC hierarchy. Georgia and Alabama continued their dominance Saturday, while LSU slipped further behind.
Georgia, led by quarterback Gunner Stockton, rallied from a 35–26 deficit to defeat No. 5 Mississippi 43–35, proving once again why the Bulldogs remain the conference’s most complete team.
Alabama extended its winning streak to six, toppling No. 11 Tennessee 37–20 thanks to a game-changing 99-yard pick-six before halftime.
Notre Dame and Brigham Young also boosted their playoff cases with resilient victories over ranked opponents.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s steady climb under head coach Clark Lea represents one of the season’s most remarkable storylines. Once an SEC bottom-feeder, the Commodores are now 4–0 in conference play and displaying the kind of discipline and confidence typically reserved for traditional powerhouses.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
LSU’s road ahead doesn’t get easier. With remaining SEC matchups against Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, the Tigers risk finishing the season outside the Top 25 — a disaster scenario for a program built on championship expectations.
For Kelly, the message from Tiger Nation is clear: results or resignation.
As Vanderbilt celebrates one of the biggest upsets in program history, LSU must now reckon with the reality that its once-feared roar has faded into a whimper.
