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Vanderbilt University’s football team recently made headlines with their attempt to schedule a 13th game. They hoped it would boost their chances of making it into the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Despite a stellar season with a 10-2 record and a solid 6-2 mark in the SEC, the Commodores find themselves on the outside looking in. The team, university officials, and coaching staff tried every avenue to schedule an extra game.
But in the end, logistical and legislative roadblocks got in the way. Vanderbilt will have to settle for a bowl game, pushing their CFP hopes to another season.
Vanderbilt’s Historic Season
This year, Vanderbilt pulled off one of the best seasons in the program’s history. Their 10-2 record, including a 6-2 run in the tough SEC, really showed how far they’ve come.
The Commodores made a statement in Rivalry Week, knocking off No. 19 Tennessee 45-24. Still, even after that, they’re sitting at No. 14 in the latest CFP rankings—just outside the top 12 needed for a playoff spot.
The Attempt to Schedule a 13th Game
Vanderbilt looked into playing a 13th game to improve their CFP chances. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that everyone was on board: the team, university officials, the athletic department, and the coaching staff.
Coach Clark Lea even told players to keep their bags packed in case the game happened. But operational hassles, legislative hoops, and last-minute timing made it impossible.
Challenges in the CFP Rankings
Vanderbilt stayed put at No. 14 in the CFP rankings. Their big win over Tennessee just wasn’t enough to leapfrog No. 11 BYU, No. 12 Miami, or No. 13 Texas.
Texas, especially, had a head-to-head win over Vanderbilt, which gave them the edge. Even if chaos broke out and top teams lost, Vanderbilt’s odds of cracking the top 12 were still pretty slim.
Scenarios and Implications
The CFP committee hasn’t been eager to punish conference championship losers, which makes things even tougher for Vanderbilt. Say No. 3 Georgia lost to No. 9 Alabama—Alabama’s earlier win over Vanderbilt would probably keep them ahead anyway.
If BYU lost to No. 4 Texas Tech, that could knock out the Cougars, but a win would likely mean two Big 12 teams in the playoff. That just makes the road even bumpier for Vanderbilt.
Future Prospects for Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s football program has shown real promise this year. With talk of CFP expansion, maybe the Commodores will get their shot at a championship run down the line.
Coach Lea and his team have shown they’re willing to take on anyone, anytime. That attitude could pay off in the seasons ahead—who knows?
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Conclusion
Vanderbilt’s push to schedule a 13th game says a lot about their drive to compete at the top. Even though they ran into a thicket of rules and logistics, the Commodores’ season still stands out as historic.
They’re heading into their bowl game with plenty to be proud of. Who knows what’s next for them in the CFP world?
If you want to dig deeper into Vanderbilt’s journey and all the roadblocks they hit, check out the full story on Sports Illustrated.
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