Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea and several players presented their arguments to the media regarding why the Commodores should be included in the College Football Playoff. Following an impressive 45-24 victory over their in-state rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt concluded its season with a record of 10-2.
Vanderbilt showcased its dominance in the second half, outscoring Tennessee 24-3 after both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half. This victory marks a historic achievement for the Commodores, as it represents the first time in the program”s history that they have won ten games in a single season. In a typical scenario, a 10-2 team from the SEC would automatically be considered for playoff inclusion. However, this year, the playoff landscape is crowded with teams boasting one or two losses.
Coach Lea expressed his belief that Vanderbilt deserves a chance at the championship. “This is a 10-win SEC team that has played in a lot of tough environments on the road. We”ve got a Heisman candidate. To deny these players the opportunity to compete for it all would be an injustice to their hard work. Our fate is not in my hands,” Lea stated. “We play in the hardest league in the country, and we”ve emerged with ten wins, finishing with a challenging road victory. I hope those who need to pay attention are doing so.”
The Commodores have consistently performed like a playoff-caliber team throughout the season, overcoming skepticism from critics. Their only losses came against an Alabama team set to compete in the SEC Championship and a Texas team that recently defeated a top-ranked opponent. Vanderbilt closed out the regular season strong, achieving a significant victory over a Kentucky squad that nearly upset Texas and defeating a top 20 team.
Defensive back Randon Fontenette is confident in Vanderbilt”s playoff credentials, especially considering their recent performances. “They better not let us in because we”re hot right now. But I feel like we made a statement. That was a top 20 team in the nation, and for us to come in here and dominate them was a big statement,” Fontenette remarked.
Despite their strong finish, Vanderbilt faced challenges as teams ranked ahead of them secured victories. While the Commodores” win could potentially elevate them past Utah, the question remains whether it is enough to surpass teams like Miami or BYU. Additionally, both Oklahoma and Alabama have also improved their records to 10-2, which complicates Vanderbilt”s playoff aspirations.
Quarterback Diego Pavia remains optimistic about their playoff chances, asserting, “We deserve to be in the playoff picture. Look at our schedule. The SEC has the best strength of schedule. Considering what we”ve gone through, being a 10-2 team in the SEC speaks volumes, and we deserve a spot.”
As the selection process unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming rankings. Will Vanderbilt leapfrog any teams, particularly beyond Utah? What will be the impact if BYU and Alabama both lose their conference title games? With Selection Sunday approaching on December 7, Vanderbilt now waits to learn its fate after a remarkable season.
