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Vanderbilt football is used to dealing with loss after loss in the locker room. What the Commodores aren’t as used to is playing much-hyped, high-leverage games week after week.
Going into Saturday’s game against No. 6 Texas (3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network), No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1 SEC) could secure bowl eligibility for the first time in six years with a win.
Higher goals are still in play, too. Fourteen of the 16 teams in the SEC have a conference loss, and the two that don’t (LSU and Texas A&M) play each other this weekend. That could put even an SEC championship game appearance in play for the Commodores if they win out.
Vanderbilt isn’t getting too far ahead of itself, though.
“With respect to the potential of what this year could come to, is the understanding that we’re going to have to play really well from here to the finish line have a chance at the postseason,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “So we’re not getting ahead of our skis. … The biggest message I have for our team is, we’re learning how to win, and now we’re learning how to play big game after big game after big game. And when you’re in this position, there is no game that is insignificant.”
The Longhorns (6-1, 2-1) are coming off their first loss of the season to Georgia. In earlier eras, that may have been deflating with a significant reduction in College Football Playoff odds. Now, Texas is still very much in the mix. The loss could make the Longhorns more motivated, but it’s too early to tell the impact that will have.
Vanderbilt isn’t short on motivation of its own after feeling it played down to the level of competition against Ball State. The Commodores have 21 players on their roster listed as being from Texas, plus a 22nd who went to high school in the state.
“We don’t really talk about that specifically, though I have thought about it with…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/vanderbilt-embraces-texas-games-high-202003771.html
Author : The Tennessean
Publish date : 2024-10-22 20:20:03
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