Why did Vanderbilt miss CFP? What kept Commodores out of Playoff bracket

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Why did Vanderbilt miss CFP? What kept Commodores out of Playoff bracket

The best season in Vanderbilt football history won’t result in a chance to play for a national championship.

The Commodores didn’t qualify for the College Football Playoff, unable to secure an at-large spot in the field despite finishing with the first 10-win season in program history.

It’s a heartbreaking blow to what was a magical year in Nashville. Led by Heisman Trophy candidate Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt had high hopes for the season and delivered on the preseason hype, but fell just short with the playoff selection committee. So why didn’t Vanderbilt make it?

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2), running back Sedrick Alexander (28) and offensive lineman Jordan White (53) celebrate a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium.

Why Vanderbilt missed College Football Playoff?

Vanderbilt won all the games it was favored in and then some, but some results didn’t hold weight as much as they did when they happened.

The Commodores opened SEC play with a ranked win over South Carolina, but the Gamecocks ended the season 4-8. It’s similar to the victories over LSU and Missouri, which were ranked at the time but later fell out of the rankings. It ended the season with a win over in-state rival Tennessee, which was ranked but fell out after losing to the Commodores.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt didn’t win the big-time matchups. The Commodores lost convincingly at Alabama and was kept in check by Texas until a fourth quarter surge that was too late. Against the two teams on its schedule that made the playoff, Vanderbilt went 0-2.

Those two losses, plus not qualifying for the SEC title game, made it tough for the Commodores to pass those teams in the rankings. Alabama was in the top 10 and Texas was ahead of Vanderbilt in the rankings by one spot, making it difficult to put the Commodores ahead.

Vanderbilt 2025 schedule, results

  • Saturday, Aug. 30: Vanderbilt 45, Charleston Southern 3
  • Saturday, Sept. 6: Vanderbilt 44, Virginia Tech 20
  • Saturday, Sept. 13: Vanderbilt 31, South Carolina 7
  • Saturday, Sept. 20: Vanderbilt 70, Georgia State 21
  • Saturday, Sept. 27: Vanderbilt 55, Utah State 35
  • Saturday, Oct. 4: Alabama 30, Vanderbilt 14
  • Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
  • Saturday, Oct. 18: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 24
  • Saturday, Oct. 25: Vanderbilt 17, Missouri 10
  • Saturday, Nov. 1: Texas 34, Vanderbilt 31
  • Saturday, Nov. 8: Vanderbilt 45, Auburn 38
  • Saturday, Nov. 15: BYE
  • Saturday, Nov. 22: Vanderbilt 45, Kentucky 17
  • Saturday, Nov. 29: Vanderbilt 45, Tennessee 24

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Vanderbilt make CFP? Why Vandy missed College Football Playoff bracket

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos