To strengthen their College Football Playoff resume, Vanderbilt pushed to play a 13th game this weekend.
Vanderbilt Pushed for Play-In Game
Clark Lea said yesterday he told his team to have their bags packed in case a team wanted to play this Saturday, and that is true of today.
He said he'd prepare his team to play in two days if called to.
— Alaina Morris (@alainammorris) December 3, 2025
Vanderbilt is willing to do anything to make the College Football Playoff, including playing an extra game.
The conference championships will be played this weekend. In the SEC, it will be No. 3 Georgia facing off against No. 9 Alabama.
However, No. 14 Vanderbilt sought to play a game this weekend to strengthen their resume.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Vanderbilt explored the possibility of playing an “exempt 13th game” this weekend. The idea behind the game was to give the College Football Playoff committee another chance to watch their team in a big game.
The team, university officials, the athletic department, and the coaching staff were all interested in playing the game. Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea told his players earlier this week to have their “bags packed” in case they schedule a game for Saturday (via Alaina Morris).
Ultimately, the logistical issues surrounding the extra game proved to be too much to overcome.
Vanderbilt ends the regular season with a 10-2 record, including 6-2 in the SEC.
As it stands, Vanderbilt is not going to make the College Football Playoff. No. 10 Notre Dame, No. 11 BYU, No. 12 Miami, and No. 13 Texas are all ahead of the Commodores.
Vanderbilt can likely move up a spot if BYU loses in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, the Commodores are not going to jump the other three teams, including Texas, whom they lost to last month.
Regardless, Vanderbilt should be proud of their best season in school history. The Commodores will play in a top Non-New Year’s Six bowl game.
Sources: No. 14 Vanderbilt explored the possibility of playing an exempt 13th game this weekend as a way to give one final showcase for the College Football Playoff. There was interest from the team, university officials, the athletic department and coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/Oo3ePXukdg
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 4, 2025
College Football Playoff Rankings Heading into Conference Championships
December 2️⃣ College Football Playoff Selection Committee Rankings#CFBPlayoff 🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/6M4RcbbaV6
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) December 3, 2025
The penultimate CFP rankings were released earlier this week. If the season ended today, this would be the College Football Playoff:
Quarterfinals
- Winner of No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
- Winner of No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Ohio State
- Winner of No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia
- Winner of No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Indiana
The 12-team playoff consists of the five highest-ranked champions and seven at-large teams.
Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma are going to make the CFP.
Alabama should also receive a playoff spot even if it loses to Georgia.
Virginia and Tulane will make the CFP if they win their respective conference championships. If one or both lose, it opens the door for North Texas, James Madison, and Duke.
The final spot is up for debate. If BYU beats Texas Tech, then the Cougars will receive the last CFP bid. If the Cougars lose, it will likely come down to No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 12 Miami. The Hurricanes have the crucial head-to-head victory over the Irish.
The College Football Playoff will be revealed on Sunday, Dec. 7.
