'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea made a last attempt at appealing to the CFP Committee to include the Commodores in the playoff. Lea made the appeal in a post made on the eve of the final rankings release, taking a subtle jab at Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama.
Alabama, despite beating Georgia during the regular season, suffered a blowout loss to Kirby Smart’s team in the SEC championship game. Seeing that, Lea posted on X:
“I’ve heard it all today. I’ve watched it all today. @VandyFootball deserves a chance to be in the @CFBPlayoff. You can try to talk your way into whatever you want. A 10-2 SEC team, playing its best football late. With the best offense in the country. With the best quarterback in the country. PUT. US. IN.”
Trending
The desperate appeal did little to sway the CFP committee, however, as Vanderbilt will miss out on the playoff after the final ranking. Alabama, on the other hand, is one of the five SEC teams going to the playoff.
The others are the conference champions, Georgia, alongside Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma. The debate on which team deserved to be in the playoffs heated up following the regular season finale, with many arguing for their team’s inclusion.
Ultimately, Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt is the only SEC 10-win team that will miss the playoff, with Alabama and Oklahoma making the cut. However, the team finished at No. 14 in the final CFP rankings released on Sunday and is the fourth team outside the bracket. Texas is another SEC side that campaigned for a spot in the playoff.
Vanderbilt had reportedly tried to schedule a 13th matchup against another team on the playoff bubble in a final bid to convince the committee. However, the plan didn’t materialize due to logistical reasons.
What’s next for Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt after CFP disappointment?
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs, the Commodores will be looking to complete their amazing campaign on a high note. Their opportunity for that has emerged in the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with Iowa.
Clark Lea’s men will face the Hawkeyes on New Year’s Eve in Tampa, Florida, as they look to crown their campaign with a bowl win. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and are expected to give the Commodores a run for their money.
