Vanderbilt football just wrapped up its first-ever 10-win regular season-a milestone that would’ve sounded like a pipe dream not long ago. But even with that historic 10-2 record, the Commodores are still fighting for respect, and more importantly, a shot at the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Clark Lea isn’t staying quiet about it, either.
In a recent appearance on SEC Network, Lea made a strong, heartfelt case for his team’s inclusion in the playoff field. He pointed to the quality of their season and the legitimacy of their only two losses-both coming against ranked SEC powerhouses, Alabama and Texas.
For Lea, the issue isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about perception, and how Vanderbilt, a program without the championship pedigree of its SEC neighbors, is being overlooked.
“I don’t know a world that exists where this team doesn’t belong in that field,” Lea said. “I’m learning right now about all the flaws and how we determine who’s in and who’s out.
I’m very interested in fighting any perception. I think there’s a bias against Vanderbilt.
I think we have been ignored. Early in the season we were not given a chance.”
That’s not just coach-speak-that’s a coach throwing down the gauntlet for a team that’s done everything asked of it and still finds itself on the outside looking in.
Let’s talk about what Vanderbilt has actually done on the field.
The Commodores have stacked up three separate winning streaks this season-five games, three games, and two games-with the latest one capped by a statement win: a 45-24 road victory at ranked Tennessee. That wasn’t just a big win-it was a message.
Vanderbilt didn’t squeak by. They dominated in a rivalry game, on the road, against a ranked opponent.
That’s the kind of performance playoff teams are supposed to have in November.
“All we’ve done is line them up and knock them down,” Lea said. “We deserve a chance to win a national championship.”
It’s hard to argue with that kind of résumé. But the reality is, projections still have Vanderbilt on the outside of the CFP bubble.
ESPN’s latest bowl outlook doesn’t include the Commodores among the four playoff teams. Instead, they’re being slotted into high-profile, but non-playoff bowls-Mark Schlabach has them heading to the Gator Bowl to face Miami, while Kyle Bonagura projects a matchup against Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Those are solid matchups, sure. But for a team that’s made history, taken down ranked opponents, and finished with a 10-2 record in the SEC? It’s not the ending they were hoping for.
Vanderbilt has done what no Commodores team has ever done before. They’ve built a season on toughness, consistency, and belief.
Now, they’re asking for a shot to prove they belong on the biggest stage in college football. Whether the committee gives them that chance remains to be seen-but one thing’s clear: this team isn’t just making noise.
They’re making a case.