After multiple years in college football, one question remains: Who is better, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) or the Big Ten?
The SEC is traditionally considered the better football conference, but the landscape has shifted since introducing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. In addition, the last two College Football National Champions are Big Ten programs (Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024).
As the debate rages on between college programs and in the media, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia decided to add his two cents to the debate without being provoked.
NEW: Vandy QB Diego Pavia eviscerates the Big Ten:
— On3 (@On3sports) June 17, 2025
“You want to play with the best – you don’t want to play with the Big Ten. … You ignore those calls.
...the SEC, it’s like week after week. You’re going to get beat on. The Big Ten, you’re not gonna get beat on with the… pic.twitter.com/BGUcC7lwac
Pavia is biased due to Vanderbilt playing in the SEC, but to take an unprovoked shot at the Big Ten is laughable.
After Pavia began his career at the junior college level, he transferred to New Mexico State before jumping to Vanderbilt. Pavia was a breakout star for the Commodores last season, tallying 2,133 passing yards and 17 touchdowns with 716 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
After last season, Pavia asked a judge for an extra year of eligibility, stating his two years of JUCO football should not count towards his NCAA eligibility. The judge granted his request.
Following the decision, he sat down with the "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast crew and took shots at the Big Ten, mentioning that multiple programs had offered him upwards of $4 million.
The main idea was that a spoiled 24-year-old college quarterback who plays in the SEC tried eviscerating the Big Ten with his takes.
After finishing the 2024-2025 season with a 7-6 (3-5 SEC) record, including a loss to Georgia State, Pavia needs to stop running his mouth and worry more about improving on the football field.
After his ice-cold takes, Pavia followed those statements with bold predictions that Vanderbilt can beat Alabama again and win the National Championship.
Illinois Head Coach, and former Iowa Football player, Brett Bielema, responded to Pavia's comments, stating he is "just regurgitating what he is being told," giving Pavia far too much leeway.
I would LOVE for Vanderbilt to travel to Kinnick Stadium on a cold night in October and see the toughness of the Big Ten first hand. A salty, angry Iowa defense is nothing to scoff at, and multiple teams have entered Kinnick Stadium and gotten punched in the mouth.
Pavia might just be reading a line he was fed, but a spoiled SEC quarterback, whose only experience playing Big Ten opponents came in a 38-0 loss to Minnesota and a 66-7 loss to Wisconsin in 2022, should focus more on his conference, and less on ours.
Give him credit. He stuck up for his conference and got people talking. Outside of that, he needs to take ten steps back.