NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nobody is more tired of hearing how Vanderbilt should know its place than coach Clark Lea, and he has joined quarterback Diego Pavia talking about playing for a national championship.

Yes, in football. And yes, this season.

“I don’t think you can do something until you say it,” Lea said. “Changing a culture is hard, and this has been an environment that hasn’t given way to many winning seasons. ... There’s nothing about the history of this program to hold us back.”

Lea knows well the challenges. He played here himself, and t he Commodores going 7-6 record last season is the program’s first winning record since 2013 and just the fourth overall since 1983.

Lea believes he has his best team yet in his fifth season. He knows Vandy went 4-4 in games decided by eight point

See Full Page