Vanderbilt @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Florida 55, Vanderbilt 14

THE STORY: After difficult home losses last week all but eliminated them from the SEC East race, Vanderbilt and Florida look to rebound Saturday when the Commodores visit The Swamp. Last Saturday the Gators could not hold a 17-3 lead in Jacksonville, losing to rival Georgia 24-20 to fall three games behind the Bulldogs and South Carolina in the East. Vanderbilt raced to a 14-point lead, only to miss a game-tying chip-shot field goal in a 31-28 loss to Arkansas. The Commodores trail Florida by half a game in the standings.

The Gators have dominated the series, leading 33-9-2 and winning the past 20 meetings. Vanderbilt has not beaten Florida since 1988 in Nashville, and has not won in Gainesville since the first meeting in 1945.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Florida -11

ABOUT VANDERBILT (4-4, 1-4 SEC): An offense ranked 10th in the SEC got a big boost against Arkansas from junior quarterback Jordan Rodgers. The younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers completed 15-of-27 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown in his second start, and rushed for two touchdowns. Carey Spear missed a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left that would have tied the game. The Commodores have allowed 31 or more points in their past three SEC games, all losses.

ABOUT FLORIDA (4-4, 2-4 SEC): The Gators are mired in their first four-game losing streak since 1988. Quarterback John Brantley returned from a sprained ankle to pass for 245 yards, but completed just 2-of-14 passes in the second half as the offense grinded to a halt. The Gators gained just 32 yards after halftime. Florida ranks 22nd in the nation in scoring defense but struggled in October: The Gators allowed 24 or more points in three of four games, including 38 against Alabama and 41 vs. LSU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida forced just one turnover in four games in October, and ranks 114th in the FBS in turnover margin.

2. The Commodores are averaging 437 yards and 33.3 points in their past three games, against Georgia, Army and Arkansas.

3. Florida is 120-17 at Florida Field since 1990, a win percentage of .876 that ranks second in the nation to Nebraska (128-18, .877).

PREDICTION: Florida 24, Vanderbilt 21 – It’s been a down year for the Gators, but Florida will hold on down the stretch to extend its win streak over the Commodores to 21.