Assessing the APR: Can a five-win Vanderbilt make a bowl game?

Vanderbilt is still in contention for a bowl game. They need to beat Tennessee to make them bowl eligible. The APR measures student-athletes' academic success. They are currently 3-6. If they win, they will play a ranked opponent in Kentucky and then take on Florida. On Nov. 26, the Commodores will take the field against the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers. Hendon Hooker is out for the season.

There are currently 73 bowl eligible teams in college football. There are 41 bowl games, in which 82 teams will play. The NCAA will choose the teams with the highest APR to fill the remaining nine slots. 17 teams are just a win away from eligibility. Vanderbilt ranks eighth in APR with a score of 973. There is a loophole for the NCAA to choose teams who have higher APR scores than the Commodores. If they lose and one of the four-win teams wins, the game will be played again. This weekend, there are games involving New Mexico State, Army, Arizona, California, Navy, Western Michigan, West Virginia, Texas A&M, Iowa State and Texas State.

Vanderbilt can make a bowl game with just five wins. Even if they lose to Tennessee, they can still make the bowl.