Heather Dinich reveals stakes for Missouri, Vanderbilt: 'Huge one for College Football Playoff implications'

ESPN College GameDay is headed to Missouri vs. Vanderbilt this weekend, which should underscore for fans just how big a matchup it is. But while it’s a big-time game, it’s also a must-win game. For both teams.

ESPN analyst Heather Dinich opened up on that topic on College Football Playoff: Top 25 on Tuesday night. She explained why Vanderbilt has a lot to prove still.

“This is a huge one for College Football Playoff implications, and it’s because when you look at the AP Poll and you see Vandy sitting there at 10 they are a fantastic story,” Dinich said. “Clark Lea has done an amazing job. But I think they might have more to prove in the selection committee meeting room.”

Take a look at Vanderbilt’s current resume and it’s not as strong as it might have appeared before the season. Or even earlier in the season.

At the time, a win over No. 11 South Carolina looked excellent. It was a dominant win, too. But since then, South Carolina has fallen to 3-4 on the year, with a 1-4 mark in SEC play. The big Vanderbilt win has lost some luster. Dinich pointed out that issue with the resume for the ‘Dores.

“When you look at the win against LSU, it was big but it was also their first win against a Power Four opponent over .500,” she said. “If they beat Mizzou, their playoff chances will jump to 49%, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.”

The game carries similar stakes for Missouri, too. Missouri has yet to beat a ranked team this year. It’s lone chance came against Alabama, and the Tigers came up short.

“Mizzou is in a similar spot, right, because they also lost to Alabama but they have even less to compensate for it on their schedule right now,” Dinich said. “Because not only do they need a win against a ranked opponent, this would be their first win against an opponent with a winning record.

“Those are things the committee looks at. You know this, they look at their opponents’ winning percentage, and right now Mizzou is one of the worst in the country. They’re No. 103 with opponent winning percentage.”

So while the rankings look nice — No. 10 vs. No. 15 — there’s plenty that needs to be justified still for both Missouri and Vanderbilt. The two teams are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on ESPN.