Vanderbilt’s Path to Playoff: Can Commodores Secure Historic CFP Berth
Vanderbilt University’s football team has become one of the most stubbornly resilient squads in college football for the 2025 season. Under head coach Clark Lea, the Commodores have put together a remarkable 7-1 record after a wild win against No. 15 Missouri.
This blog post takes a look at Vanderbilt’s journey so far. We’ll peek at their remaining schedule and wonder—could they really make the College Football Playoff (CFP)?
Contents
Vanderbilt’s Impressive 2025 Campaign
Vanderbilt’s found ways to win, even when things got messy. Their only loss came against Alabama, but they’ve managed to beat three top-15 teams along the way.
At 7-1, it’s hard not to respect the effort and the way they’ve played when it counted.
Key Victories
They’ve stacked up some serious wins this season, and a few really stand out:
- Charleston Southern: Opened the season by rolling to a 45-3 win.
- Virginia Tech: Took care of business with a 44-20 road victory.
- No. 11 South Carolina: Dominated defensively in a 31-7 win.
- Georgia State: Ran up the score at home, 70-21.
- Utah State: Won a shootout, 55-35.
- No. 10 LSU: Pulled off a tough 31-24 win.
- No. 15 Missouri: Made history with a 17-10 victory—their first top-10 win since 1947.
Remaining Schedule
There are four games left in the regular season. Vanderbilt’s in a solid spot, maybe even close to locking in a CFP berth if things break their way.
The remaining opponents are a mixed bag—some ranked, some not. Each one brings its own headaches, though.
Upcoming Matches
Here’s what’s left on Vanderbilt’s slate:
- 11/1 at No. 22 Texas: A big road test against a ranked team.
- 11/8 vs. Auburn: Home field against an unranked opponent.
- 11/22 at Kentucky: Another road trip, this time to face an unranked squad.
- 11/29 at No. 17 Tennessee: A tough away game to wrap up the regular season.
Wins over Texas and Tennessee would really pad that record against top-25 teams. At that point, could the CFP committee really ignore them?
Path to the College Football Playoff
Vanderbilt doesn’t have total control over their playoff fate, especially when it comes to the SEC Championship. Still, if they win out, their CFP chances get a serious boost.
Challenges Ahead
There are a few big hurdles left on the road to the CFP:
- Strength of Schedule: The SEC is brutal, and every game feels like a grind.
- SEC Standings: They’ll need a little chaos at the top to sneak into a top-two spot.
- Close Games: A lot of their wins have been nail-biters, so staying sharp under pressure is a must.
Conclusion
Vanderbilt University’s football team has had quite a season so far. Historic wins and a stubborn, never-say-die attitude have really defined their year.
With just four games left, the Commodores still have a shot at making the College Football Playoff. The road ahead isn’t easy—there are some tough matchups coming—but honestly, their momentum right now is hard to ignore.
If you’re curious about the details of Vanderbilt’s season or want to check out their upcoming games, the Sporting News article has you covered.
We’ll keep following Vanderbilt’s wild ride, so check back for more updates as they chase that playoff spot. Who knows how far they’ll go?
