Vanderbilt allegedly considered playing a 13th game on Saturday in an attempt to influence the College Football Playoff committee

Vanderbilt reportedly investigated the option of scheduling an additional 13th game on Saturday in an effort to strengthen its case for the College Football Playoff. The Commodores currently hold a 10-2 record and were ranked No. 14 in the second-to-last playoff rankings.

ESPN reports that the program looked into playing an exempt 13th game during conference championship weekend. However, logistical and regulatory challenges, combined with the difficulty of arranging an opponent on short notice, ultimately prevented the game from happening.

Such a game would not have affected Vanderbilts official record but would have required finding a willing opponent, which proved to be a significant hurdle. Scheduling a last-minute game with minimal preparation time is not an attractive proposition for most teams.

Vanderbilt is currently fourth among teams outside the 12-team playoff bracket. Notre Dame, ranked No. 10, currently occupies the final at-large spot, while the remaining slots are expected to go to conference champions from the ACC, American, and Sun Belt conferences.

The Commodores trail teams like 11-1 BYU, 10-2 Miami, and 9-3 Texas, who are outside the top 10. BYU is set to play No. 4 Texas Tech for the Big 12 championship, Miami has completed its regular season, and Texas has already defeated Vanderbilt this year.

Even if Vanderbilt had managed to schedule a 13th game, its uncertain whether the playoff committee would have considered it in their evaluation, and it likely would not have been enough to secure a playoff berth. The most probable scenario would have left Vanderbilt as one of the second or third teams excluded from the playoff.

One potential upside of a 13th game would have been increased exposure for quarterback Diego Pavia in the Heisman race. Pavia is currently the third favorite at BetMGM, trailing Ohio States Julian Sayin and Indianas Fernando Mendoza. The Big Ten title game this weekend between the Buckeyes and Hoosiers could significantly impact the Heisman outcome.

Analysis: Vanderbilt’s 13th Game Consideration

Vanderbilt’s exploration of a 13th game highlights the challenges for teams outside the playoff bubble trying to influence their College Football Playoff prospects. With a 10-2 record and a No. 14 ranking, the Commodores considered leveraging an exempt game during conference championship weekend to enhance their case.

However, logistical and regulatory hurdles made scheduling such a game unrealistic. Finding a willing opponent on short notice proved a significant barrier, and the limited preparation time reduced appeal for potential competitors. Even if the game had occurred, its impact on the official record would have been neutral, and the playoff committee’s evaluation might not have shifted.

Currently, Vanderbilt ranks fourth among teams outside the 12-team playoff bracket, trailing Notre Dame in the final at-large spot. Other teams like BYU, Miami, and Texas also complicate the scenario, making a playoff berth unlikely. The 13th game could have provided additional exposure for quarterback Diego Pavia in the Heisman race, but the Big Ten championship outcome will likely play a more decisive role.

Sources:

• Vanderbilt reportedly 'explored' playing a 13th game on Saturday to try to sway College Football Playoff committee