The Vanderbilt Commodores finished the 2025 regular season with a 10-2 record, which was their best ever under head coach Clark Lea. They compete in the tough SEC conference; however, when the College Football Playoff Committee released the final rankings, they were ranked No. 14, even behind three-loss Texas Longhorns.
Meanwhile, teams holding similar 10-2 records, Miami, Alabama (10-3), and Oklahoma went through, raising questions around the snub.
In the meantime, head coach Clark Lea said that Vanderbilt has no one to blame but themselves as they failed to capitalize on several moments against quality opponents.
“And we happen to be on the wrong side of that in this moment,” Lea said. “But that’s no one’s fault except our own. We had our opportunities, and we didn’t do enough. And so we are not victims in this process. Our ownership is coming up short. I think it’s a reminder of how critical every moment is — every snap, every possession — and there’s a lot to learn from this season.
“Because we want to be back in these moments. But as it is, we’ll spend time in the offseason trying to get the system more in focus with where the game has gone. In the meantime, we’re going to celebrate the hell out of going to play in Tampa and having some fun together one last time.”
The National Championship predictions are in 👀
🏈 @CoachGeneChizik: Georgia over Indiana
🏈 @Harp41: Georgia over Indiana
🏈 @ChrisDoering: Georgia over Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/JvOgP9Uri2
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 8, 2025
Clark Lea’s QB Hints “Politics” Behind CFP Snub
While coach Clark Lea didn’t express anything against the CFP’s decision, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is certainly unhappy, even suggesting “politics” played a role.
“I think it’s a lot of politics at the top with what’s going on,” Pavia said. “I think if you look at our strength of schedule at the beginning of the year, the people we beat, when we beat them, on the road. There’s no other 10-2 SEC team left out. That’s the other thing. And then, they have Texas ahead of us, too. I don’t know what’s going on or what they’re thinking up there, but I feel like we deserve to be in the College Football Playoff.”
As a result of the snub, Vanderbilt accepted a bowl-game bid and is scheduled to play in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl.
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