If Vanderbilt had its druthers, it would be suiting up this weekend—in the SEC championship, yes, but even in our current reality, where the Commodores finished outside of the conference title picture and sit at No. 14 days before the College Football Playoff bracket is decided.
Without a chance to win the SEC or add a final data point to impress the selection committee, Vanderbilt is effectively frozen out of the CFP field. The SEC is well-represented, with Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Oklahoma being treated as virtual locks and Alabama close to that status at No. 9 with a chance to beat the Bulldogs to win the league. Vandy certainly has an argument, especially after an impressive season-ending performance against Tennessee, but there are simply not enough at-large spots left for there to be a pathway for the Commodores. Coach Clark Lea and his staff attempted to change the math, looking to schedule a 13th game for this weekend, but “logistics and legislative constraints” prevented them from doing so.
