Vanderbilt football is putting the finishing touches on its 2026 recruiting class ahead of the early signing period. The Commodores are taking advantage of a successful 2025 season by adding a handful of strong later commits. Vanderbilt is bowl eligible for the second straight year and has a shot at the College Football Playoff.

With a 7–1 record, Heisman candidate and coach who refuses to quit, the Commodores’ miracle season is rewriting what’s possible at the perennial doormat.

USA Today's Paul Myerberg relayed the reality of college football in 2025: the Indiana Hoosiers and Vanderbilt Commodores are the new world order in the sport.

Vanderbilt football is still outside the top 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, moving up one spot to No. 11 after a 17-10 win over Missouri. The Commodores remained in the top 10 of the AP Poll, moving up one spot to No. 9.

Teams seeded No. 1 to No. 8 get a bye and a home playoff game. Teams seeded No. 9 to No. 16 each open the tournament with a home playoff game. Teams seeded No. 17 to No. 24 each must play on the road twice to advance to the neutral site quarterfinals.

Here's what Clark Lea said about Vanderbilt football hosting a kicking clinic in preparation for "College GameDay."

Elsewhere in the CBS Sports 136, we see some notable moves up for one-loss Big 12 teams Cincinnati (up four spots) and Houston (up seven spots), as each logged key wins in conference play over the weekend and continue to build their case as top-20 teams nationally with their 7-1 records.

Vanderbilt beat Missouri 17-10 to improve to 7-1, and the Tigers suffered an even bigger loss at quarterback. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported that Beau Pribula's ankle injury, which he sustained during the game, would keep him out of the rest of the regular season.