The 2024 college football season looks like it could be a turning point for the Vanderbilt Commodores in getting the program back on track.A 6-6 showing may not seem like much to some fan bases, but this is the most wins the team has had since 2018 when they were also victorious six times under Derek Mason.

Ultimately, 13 SEC teams ended up being bowl-eligible. There are nine SEC bowl tie-ins. That means that if four SEC teams make the College Football Playoff, all SEC teams will end up in an SEC bowl. That became more likely after Miami's loss to Syracuse.

Here's what Clark Lea and Vanderbilt football need to do to turn their attention to the transfer portal and bowl prep after losing to Tennessee.

The Vanderbilt Commodores did not close out the 2024 regular season how they wanted to, but they have a chance to bring back some momentum with their first bowl

The Vols’ defense, which held Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia to 104 passing yards, contributed to the scoring with a third-quarter safety that made the score 33-17. Tennessee’s run of 29 straight points culminated with a Max Gilbert’s 22-yard field goal that gave the Vols a 36-17 lead with 8:24 left in the contest.

Vanderbilt football has lost two in a row, but it's still headed to a bowl game. The Commodores (6-5, 3-4 SEC) conclude their season Saturday ( 11 a.m. CT, ABC) against Tennessee. After that, they will find out their bowl destination for the first time since 2018.

Matt MacIntyre pulls for the Vanderbilt football team every week. His father, George Wallace MacIntyre, was head coach there for seven seasons. His brother, George Michael MacIntyre, played there for two seasons before going into college coaching himself.

After getting beat by Tennessee again, Clark Lea was given a harsh dose of reality about where the Vanderbilt football program still stands.