Bussin’ With The Boys – Episode 357

Diego Pavia "I Should Win The Heisman" + Cade McConnell & Theo Von On Vanderbilt CFP Hopes

Date: December 2, 2025
Host(s): Will Compton & Taylor Lewan
Guests: Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt QB), Cade McConnell (Vanderbilt OL), Theo Von (comedian & superfan)

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, wide-ranging conversation blending college football debate, locker room banter, and Thanksgiving hijinks. Hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan are joined by Vanderbilt stars Diego Pavia and Cade McConnell, with a cameo from comedian Theo Von. Key themes are the College Football Playoff (CFP) bubble, Heisman candidacy, NIL realities, and the changing landscape of college athletics—with the usual Bussin’ blend of humor, stories, and unfiltered takes.

Main Theme: The Vanderbilt football fairytale—should Diego Pavia win the Heisman? Do the Commodores deserve a CFP berth? Plus, a fun dive into team culture, NIL, and the rowdy Pavia family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nebraska’s Defensive Shakeup – The Coaching Carousel

[04:03 - 07:34]

• Nebraska has fired another defensive coordinator (John Butler). Will & Taylor debate the quick turnover and its broader impact.
• Will underscores why tough decisions need to be made for performance.
• Taylor highlights issues: Nebraska’s run defense lacked discipline and physicality.
• Quote:

  “At the end of the day, you have to either produce or you don’t.” – Will [05:58]

Thanksgiving Recap – Busin’ With The Boys Style

[12:40 - 19:14]

• Classic football guy Thanksgiving: feasting, beer, Werewolf party games, plenty of family stories.
• Warm anecdotes about family, friendship, and even uncomfortably funny holiday interactions (awkward daps, weird greetings, wrestling matches with kids).
• Bonding moments thread together team, friends, and fans.

College Football Culture, Generational Trends, and Social Media

[08:09 - 11:14]

• The inside joke of “6, 7”—passing fads among football kids (compared to “dabbing” or “YOLO”).
• Taylor muses on the moment when you realize you aren’t in the cool generation anymore.

Quote:
“You start doing that...buddy, hang it up. At some point, you gotta accept you’re no longer the cool generation. Move on.” – Will [08:47]

The Ultimate Team Cards (EA Sports & Legacy)

[25:37 - 28:32]

• The hosts react to being included in the new EA Sports "CFB Ultimate Team" card game—reflecting on personal football legacies and how sports fans remember careers.
• Taylor expresses pride in finally feeling his college play is properly respected.

Quote:
“I feel like it’s finally getting the respect it deserves.” – Taylor [26:30]

Vanderbilt Football: From Preseason Banter to Real CFP Contender

[44:00 - 52:39]

• Diego Pavia and Cade McConnell join the conversation. Pavia reflects on his preseason declaration that Vandy would "run Tennessee"—and how he's backed it up.
• The guys discuss Vanderbilt's national perception and the talent shift via NIL.
• Inside jokes abound—banter about practice blow-ups, player (and coach) personalities, and locker room culture.

Quote:
“You walk[ed] away from the shop and you’re talking about national title...I was like Vandy about to get figured out real quick... didn’t think you guys would be in the position you’re in.” – Taylor [49:41]

The Playoff Bubble – Vanderbilt’s Case

[54:24 - 73:04]

• Vandy’s resume: 10-2, only losses to Texas and Alabama (both away), big wins at Tennessee.
• Controversy: are SEC teams made or broken by their logo? Compare “brand value” for CFP selection—would Vandy be in if they were ‘Bama or Texas?
• Arguments for and against: Strength of schedule; key wins “at the time” of play vs end-of-year records; head-to-heads; how the system rewards logos over performance.

Quote:
“If we had a Crimson A or an Orange T on us, we'd be the number five team in the nation.” – Cade McConnell [57:07]

• Play-in games suggested (Will asks: “Shouldn’t conference championships be play-ins?”)
• Both Diego and Cade insist Vandy should (and will) be in. Will and Taylor walk through possible chaotic scenarios—who would have to win or lose? What about the impact of conference championship games?

The Heisman Debate – Pavia’s Case

[88:33 - 95:45]

• Diego Pavia is third in FanDuel Heisman odds despite 4,018 yards and 36 TDs; Mendoza (Indiana) & Julian Sayin (Ohio State) ahead.
• The crew debate why: is it stats, school “logo,” media bias, or Pavia’s outspoken attitude?
• Cade: “He means more to his team than anyone in CFB. Dual-threat, totally changed the culture.”
• Taylor: The Heisman should go to the ultimate difference-maker, not just best stats.
• They compare "Heisman moments"—Pavia’s big games (e.g., 433 yards in Knoxville), fierce competitive energy.
• Will: Maybe voters want “country club” types and aren't ready for Pavia’s unfiltered style.

Quote:
“If you plug and play anybody else, him anywhere else, they’re not in the same position. Most important player in college football.” – Cade McConnell [90:41]

• Theo Von adds: The Heisman also honors perseverance and changing a program’s culture.

NIL, Transfer Portal, and College Football’s Wild West

[108:17 - 110:57]

• In-depth on NIL realities: contract negotiations, agents, “exit interviews” now include asking about money, not just performance.
• Some players “hold out” of bowl practices until new deals are signed.
• Coaches hate negotiating with agents; agent commissions often 10–20%.
• Tax education is suddenly crucial.

Quote:
“It's like the NFL is trickling down, but with college, it's like every year...You're signing like a free agent after every season.” – Taylor [116:14]

Bowl Games and the Changing Meaning of Postseason

[117:17 - 119:16]

• Bowl games matter less; focus is on the playoff.
• Vandy players admit, if they miss the CFP, the bowl is “just another game.”

The Pavia Family & Theo Von’s Vandy Fandom

[96:05 - 104:31]

• Theo Von goes in: The Pavia family—wild, loyal, always entertaining, setting the “tone” as the life of the Vandy party.
• Hilarious stories: brother in the stands in a suit, the family almost getting “arrested” for cheering too hard, superstitions (e.g., family can’t “chill out” or the team loses).
• Vandy’s culture transformation: Theo describes how the fans are “learning how to win,” a massive shift for a school long used to losing.

Closing Moments – Optimism, Surrealism, and Big Ambitions

• The hosts and guests agree: Vanderbilt has changed its story. Whether or not the committee gives them their due, the energy, unity, and optimism around the program are real.
• Cade: “We’re in the dance, we’re going to win it all.”
• Diego: “Whatever is written, it's all good—whatever’s meant to happen will happen.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Diego on his Heisman case:

  “It’s plain and simple: Are you the best or not?” [93:07]

• Theo Von on the Pavia family:

  “They’re running options in the stands. Pavia running an out route up 20 flights of bleachers…” [98:39]

• Taylor, on CFP chaos:

  “As fans, we love the chaos. I love all the arguments, debating...” [61:41]

• Will on playoff selection:

  “It’s always record-based when it comes to these kinds of awards.” [83:11]

• Cade, on what he’d do for football:

  “I would do anything for the Natty. I already think it’s written, though.” [126:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:03 – Nebraska coaching news & broader college football coaching carousel
• 12:40 – Thanksgiving recap and family stories
• 25:37 – EA Sports “Ultimate Team” cards and legacy talk
• 44:00 – Diego & Cade join; Vandy preseason vs reality
• 54:24 – Vanderbilt’s CFP resume and bubble debate
• 73:04 – Playoff scenarios and selection process breakdown
• 88:33 – Heisman candidacy, media bias, and defining the “most valuable player”
• 108:17 – NIL deals, agents, and exit meeting reality
• 117:17 – The bowl game dilemma & changing postseason significance
• 96:05 & 98:39 – Theo Von on Vandy culture and the Pavia family legend

Episode Tone & Takeaway

Tone: Locker room real talk, playful, sometimes chaotic, always passionate.
Takeaway: This episode is a celebration of a program (and a player) that’s rewritten its own story—with a side of pointed realism about how football still bends to brands and tradition. But if Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt have anything to say about it, that’s not going to last for long. Whether it’s the Heisman or the playoff, this bus is rolling—and everyone’s having fun on the ride.

Subscribe, follow, and ride with the boys. Selection Sunday’s coming. Big hugs, tiny kisses.