Clark Lea makes Vanderbilt’s Playoff case after going 10-2
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Vanderbilt has accomplished its first double-digit victory season in program history. However, the 10-2 Commodores still might be on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Clark Lea recently went on the SEC Network to make a passionate plea for the playoff. Vanderbilt’s lone losses are against ranked opponents Alabama and Texas. Lea implies that the committee is acting unfairly against Vanderbilt, which doesn’t hold the historical prestige of other illustrious SEC programs.
“I don’t know a world that exists where this team doesn’t belong in that field. I’m learning right now about all the flaws and how we determine who’s in and who’s out. I’m very interested against fighting any perception,” Lea said. “I think there’s a bias against Vanderbilt. I think we have been ignored. Early in the season we were not given a chance.”
This season Vanderbilt has winning streaks of 5, 3, and 2, capped off with a convincing 45-24 victory at ranked Tennessee. Lea believes that the Commodores are more than worthy of making the field.
“It took us winning our way into the conversation,” Lea said. “All we’ve done is line them up and knock them down…We deserve a chance to win a national championship.”
Currently, ESPN is projecting Vanderbilt to not make the CFP. Mark Schlabach has Vanderbilt playing Miami in the Gator Bowl. Kyle Bonagura is pitting Vanderbilt vs. Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
