[Tuck4Bama]

The high cost of bringing top-tier college football opponents to Nashville is forcing Vanderbilt to set its sights a little lower in an effort to round out its nonconference schedule without breaking the bank.

The Commodores face Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference this weekend and Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 27.

Vanderbilt is among six Southeastern Conference teams that have multiple nonconference games against teams from the same league, and in almost all cases, the SEC teams are squaring off against mid-major opponents.

The reason is simple economics.

"With the (addition of a) 12th game, people are having all sorts of trouble finding teams they can play without paying a king's ransom," said Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams, who oversees athletics.

In college football, luring a big-time opponent to town can be very lucrative for the home team. As a result, the home school must reward the visiting team handsomely to make it worth its while.

To fill a season schedule takes creativity for Vandy - Nashville, Tennessee - Friday, 09/28/07