Florida @ Vanderbilt preview
Vanderbilt Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Vanderbilt 3, Florida 27
Early in the season, Florida struggled to complete a shotgun snap. Its offense sputtered even though it played well enough to win. But then came a three-game losing streak, unheard of for Urban Meyer and the Gators. It was doom and gloom in The Swamp.
Yet, here they are, right in position to be playing for the SEC East division crown — if they can get past last-place Vanderbilt on Saturday.
By virtue of last week’s 34-31 win against Georgia, Florida (5-3, 3-3) is in its familiar spot — at or near the top of the division. The emotional, overtime win could be a springboard for the Gators and send them on a late-season run. If the Gators win Saturday, their game versus South Carolina on Nov. 13 — in Gainesville — will determine the SEC East champion. Florida has played in three of the last four SEC championships and won two.
In Vanderbilt (2-6, 1-4), the Gators face an opponent that is much like they were last week — on a three-game skid. There, the similarities end. Vanderbilt hasn’t scored more than 17 points during its losing streak and its 18.3 point-per-game average is 105th in the nation. Its passing offense is 110th at 144.1 yards per game. Defensively, it’s not a whole lot better. The Commodores have given up at least 43 points in two of their last three games, and last week Arkansas scorched them for 417 yards in the air.
As long as Florida isn’t emotionally drained from last week (or looking ahead to South Carolina next week), it shouldn’t have much trouble with Vanderbilt. The Gators were on the verge on blowing out Georgia, up 21-7 in the second quarter, but Georgia rallied to send the game into overtime where Chas Henry kicked the game-winning field goal.
The Gators tweaked their offense during the bye week before Georgia and utilized a more up-tempo pace. They installed no-huddle formations and ran a season-high 77 plays last week. Florida studied the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners and this year’s quick-strike Oregon squad, which averages 55 points a game.
Expect quarterback John Brantley and Trey Burton to attack the Commodores early and often. Burton, a freshman who lines up all over the field, had his best rushing game of the season last week with more than 100 yards, and running back/receiver Chris Rainey pumped some life into the offense. With their versatility and Meyer’s newfound flirting with the no-huddle, look for some chicanery by the Gators.
And surely Meyer spent considerable time addressing the Florida defense, which gave up 21 fourth-quarter points to Georgia. Florida is tied for tops in the country with 16 interceptions, including three last week.
Quarterback Larry Smith leads the Commodores (89 of 176 for 1,030 yards). Top rusher Warren Norman is out for the season after breaking his wrist last week. Zac Stacy will pick up the slack (56 for 321), along with Smith, a dual threat.
For Florida, kicker Caleb Sturgis (back), defensive tackle Jaye Howard (ankle) and receiver Andre Debose (ankle) are questionable. Cornerback Moses Jenkins (elbow) is probable. For Vanderbilt, defensive end Tim Fugger (neck) is questionable and center Joey Bailey (ankle) is probable.
Florida has beaten Vanderbilt 19 consecutive times and leads the all-time series 31-9. With a win Saturday, Florida will become bowl eligible.