The final week of college football in 2024 has been interesting, to say the least.
On Friday, we were treated to the Magic City Bowl in Birmingham, featuring the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – which some aptly named the “Brain Bowl” this year due to the academic standing of both schools.
On Saturday, another featured game was the Miami Hurricanes and the Iowa State Cyclones – I think I’ll leave the naming of that one to James Spann.
Both were competitive, intense games, not the least of which is due to two dynamic quarterbacks: Miami’s Cam Ward and Vandy’s Diego Pavia.
Both have some similar backgrounds – they each started off at non-FBS schools and elected to transfer twice. Both had great seasons in light of their respective teams’ struggles in recent years, in no small part to their contributions.
The major breaking point lies in how each closed out their bowl games.
Ward came into the Pop-Tarts Bowl (I miss the old days of the Nokia Sugar Bowl or the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl) chasing former Texas Tech quarterback Case Keenum’s record for most passing touchdowns (156) in Division I history. He threw for three touchdowns in the first half against Iowa State, as well as 190 yards, as the Hurricanes took a 31-28 lead into the half. And then Ward was opted-out…though exactly by who remains to be seen. No one in the Hurricanes’ athletic department, from head coach Mario Cristobal to players to media reps are giving a straight answer at the time of this writing, and we may never know the true reason. Ward is quite likely to be the top pick in the NFL Draft, provided he gives good answers to NFL execs in interview questions about what happened in the bowl.
Pavia returned to Alabama triumphantly – and for good reason. He beat Alabama when the Tide was ranked first in the nation in 2024, and beat Auburn twice – with Vandy in 2024 and with New Mexico State in 2023. Against Georgia Tech, he was gritty, spirited, cocky and was fighting for his team – what we’ve seen from him all year long. He had a performance to match his live-wire demeanor, as he threw for 160 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 84 yards with another two scores. Pavia joyously celebrated with his teammates and even smoked a cigar to the ire of Tennessee and Bama fans….and probably Auburn fans too, as the Commodores had prevailed, 35-27.
The days that have followed both quarterbacks’ performances in the bowl games have also followed a different path.
Pavia happily announced he’s returning to Vandy next season after having been granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA, which already has Vandy fans wondering what Pavia will hoist following his final game next season.
Ward has been in the center of controversy since the loss to Iowa State. As he stood on the sideline with the seconds ticking down on the clock Saturday night as his backup, sophomore Emory Williams, threw an interception which sealed a 42-41 comeback victory for Iowa State, was he already looking past the moment to the NFL having secured his legacy in the record books? Or did it eat at him that he could have done more to help his teammates? Granted, Ward is not all the blame here – Cristobal makes the ultimate decision. Besides, a pop warner team could run up and down the field against Miami’s defense. But it’s not a good look for Miami, Cristobal or even college football as a sport.
Ward and Pavia represent two of the new stars of college football: the free agent star and the hard-working overachiever. For the NFL, the free agent star is ideal – their skills are usually top-notch and they’re used to playing in the spotlight. The hard-working overachiever may or may not get in the NFL – their “it” factor lies elsewhere – if they do, it’s usually in the mold of a Jalen Hurts.
In this new era of college football, it’s the overachievers that will surprise us the most – they’re the ones who will be the secret weapon of successful programs for leadership, recruiting and staving-off the transfer portal.
In closing, there is another similarity and difference both Ward and Pavia share following their bowl games. Both had a short trip back to school: Orlando to Miami for Ward, Birmingham to Nashville for Pavia.
I can guarantee the trip home was much different for both.
Have a Happy New Year!
