Vanderbilt’s Unbeaten Run, Auburn’s Reset, and the Future of the College Football Playoff

Vanderbilt is one of the final undefeated teams in Division I basketball — and it’s not a fluke. On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we go inside the Commodores’ remarkable rise, break down Auburn’s ongoing rebuild across football and basketball, and unpack what’s really happening behind closed doors with the College Football Playoff expansion talks.

Larry and the crew are joined by Henry Oelhafen, Sports Editor of The Vanderbilt Hustler, to explain how Mark Byington’s coaching, transfer portal success, and elite backcourt play have vaulted Vandy into national contention. Later, Peter Rauterkus of AL.com joins the show to discuss Auburn’s coaching transition, portal-heavy roster rebuild, and the challenges of sustaining success in the SEC’s new era.

Plus, Larry revisits a 16-team College Football Playoff model he proposed nearly two decades ago — and why it might finally make sense in 2026 and beyond. From NIL chaos and transfer portal realities to WNBA labor negotiations and historic sports moments, it’s a packed episode you won’t want to miss.

🏀 Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Vanderbilt basketball’s undefeated start and national legitimacy

• SEC basketball power shifts and key upcoming matchups

• Mark Byington’s impact and transfer portal strategy at Vandy

• Auburn football’s coaching change and roster overhaul

• Transfer portal stress from the player and coach perspective

• Auburn basketball after Bruce Pearl’s sudden retirement

• WNBA players union moratorium and looming CBA implications

• Larry Smith’s 16-team College Football Playoff blueprint

• What CFP expansion could mean for conference titles and bowl games

• Moment of Awe: 75 years since the first-ever Pro Bowl at the LA Coliseum