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Paul Finebaum believes in Vanderbilt's path to the CFP after win over LSU

Untitled design (2)by: Sam Gillenwater5 hours agosamdg_33
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
Nicole Hester | The Tennessean | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Vanderbilt is now very much in the mix for the College Football Playoff. That’s with the Commodores, ranked in the Top-10 of the AP Poll in over three quarters of a century since 1947, sitting at 6-1 (2-1) overall, which is also their best start to a season in nearly three quarters of a century since 1950.

On ‘SportsCenter’ on Monday, Paul Finebaum said Vandy’s playoff hopes are more than fine. They’re actually so good to him right now that he went on to say that they will go on to make the CFP.

“Nothing could be finer. I mean, this program is in great shape,” said Finebaum. “It still has a couple of tough games, but these games don’t look insurmountable. And, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Vanderbilt is going to the playoffs.”

The Commodores moved to 6-1 with a 31-24 win over No. 10 LSU in Nashville, which was their response to losing at 30-14 two weeks ago to No. 10 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Now, with one loss overall, albeit with it coming in conference play, all paths are still there for Vandy to play for a spot in the CFP, although more likely to be an at-large right now than as the representative out of the SEC Championship.

That said, ESPN’s Heather Dinich wasn’t as hyped on Vanderbilt when it came to the College Football Playoff, as she had them just outside of her projected playoff field released on Saturday night. She noted that this latest win over LSU (5-2, 2-2) is their first truly quality one, with their other power victories coming on the road at Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2) and at South Carolina (3-4, 1-4). But, that said, the Commodores will have their chance to better prove that they’re playoff-worthy with games still left against No. 15 Missouri on Saturday, at No. 22 Texas, and to end the regular season at No. 17 Tennessee.

“They are fine. But, you know, I want to pump the brakes on Vandy just a little bit, because that win against LSU wasn’t just their first win against a ranked opponent. It was their first win against a Power Four opponent, with a winning record,” said Dinich. “So, yes, they’re fine. I have them on the bubble right now at No. 13. They’ve still got to play Mizzou, and Texas, and Tennessee. If they can keep it up down the stretch, then they will definitely be fine.”

This is an unprecedented discussion when talking about the Commodores’ program. They’ve more earned their place with what they’ve done the past season and a half, though, with this one having a chance to actually put them into the College Football Playoff.