The Vanderbilt Commodores got their first win over a top-10 opponent this season, defeating LSU 31-24 on Saturday afternoon. Although the Tigers offense had chances in the fourth quarter, Vandy's defense forced LSU to settle for a field goal to cut the lead to 7, and consecutive three-and-outs on the Tigers' last two consecutive possessions late in the fourth.
This was another signature victory for Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, and it's the first win for the Commodores over LSU since 1990. It's also the second win over an AP Top-10 opponent for Vandy since knocking off Vanderbilt last season. The Commodores are 7-125 all-time vs. AP Top 10 teams
But for LSU, this was the Tigers' second loss of the season, falling 24-19 at Ole Miss earlier this season. Entering Saturday's game, the Tigers had a 32.7 percent chance to make the playoff, per ESPN's FPI.
Let's take a peek at LSU's chances for making the College Football Playoff, now sitting at 5-2.
Is LSU out of the playoff?
It's hard to say at this point in the season. Although this is LSU's second loss of the season, the Tigers' first one came on the road to undefeated Ole Miss.
The selection committee likely sees this loss as justifiable—Vanderbilt came into this one ranked 17th and sitting at 5-1. Not to mention the Commodores have yet to lose a game at home this season. Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia has been playing lights out all season long, and finished with 217 total yards of offense including three total touchdowns.
The big thing to look ahead towards is if teams in front of LSU drop in the standings, like Ole Miss, Alabama and Texas A&M.
The bad news? LSU already lost to the Rebels earlier this season, and the Tigers still have to play both Alabama and TAMU. It's hard to see LSU's offense, which has struggled consistently all season, having enough to overcome either of those defenses, but we'll see.
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SEC fotball standings
Here's a look at the updated SEC standings after the LSU loss. As you can see Ole Miss, Alabama and Texas A&M are in the driver's seat. But the Rebels play at Georgia this afternoon, and Alabama goes on the road to face Tennessee on Saturday night:
| Team | SEC Record | Overall |
| No. 5 Ole Miss | 3-0 | 6-0 |
| No. 4 Texas A&M | 3-0 | 6-0 |
| No. 6 Alabama | 3-0 | 5-1 |
| No. 9 Georgia | 3-1 | 5-1 |
| No. 14 Oklahoma | 2-1 | 6-1 |
| No. 17 Vanderbilt | 2-1 | 6-1 |
| No. 11 Tennessee | 2-1 | 5-1 |
| No. 21 Texas | 1-1 | 4-2 |
| No. 16 Missouri | 1-1 | 5-1 |
| No. 10 LSU | 2-2 | 5-2 |
| Florida | 1-2 | 2-4 |
| South Carolina | 1-4 | 3-4 |
| Mississippi State | 0-2 | 4-2 |
| Arkansas | 0-2 | 2-4 |
| Auburn | 0-3 | 3-3 |
| Kentucky | 0-3 | 2-3 |
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Remaining LSU schedule
Here's a look at LSU's remaining schedule. As you can see, there are several ways the Tigers can get back on track. Beating both Alabama or Texas A&M, which are both squarely in the playoff as things stand now, would be a start. The Tigers also face Oklahoma later in the season.
| Date | Opponent |
| Oct. 25 | Vs. No. 4 Texas A&M |
| Nov. 8 | @ No. 6 Alabama |
| Nov. 15 | Vs. Arkansas |
| Nov. 22 | Vs. Western Kentucky |
| Nov. 29 | @ No. 14 Oklahoma |
For now, it looks like LSU isn't completely dead in the playoff race just yet, mainly because there is so much football left to be played. But with remaining games against both Texas A&M and Alabama, the margin for error for the Tigers is almost none.
If LSU drops another game, it'll mark the fourth-straight season the Tigers are on the outside looking in, both from the playoff and SEC title races. Brian Kelly's seat will likely heat up quite quickly if that happens.
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