Desperate for a late boost to its College Football Playoff resume, No. 14 Vanderbilt explored the unprecedented possibility of adding a 13th regular-season game this week.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Commodores sought an additional matchup as a way to “give one final showcase” to the CFP selection committee, even drawing interest from multiple potential opponents.
Coach Clark Lea went as far as telling his players in a Monday team meeting to be prepared for the possibility of playing again on short notice. But by Tuesday, the plan had collapsed. Thamel added that logistical hurdles and timing issues ultimately made the extra game impossible to stage.
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
The scramble points to Vanderbilt’s urgency as it enters championship weekend on the wrong side of the CFP bubble. Despite a 10-2 record against SEC competition, the Commodores remain long shots to crack the 12-team field without significant chaos elsewhere.
Lea released a nearly five-minute public statement defending Vanderbilt’s resume, calling it his duty to advocate for a team he believes is being overlooked. “This is not about narratives and stories,” Lea said. “It’s about the facts and the data that support a really good football program.”
Whether an extra game would have mattered to the committee remains unclear. But Vanderbilt’s attempt signals a program willing to consider unconventional paths in pursuit of a historic playoff berth.
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