Vanderbilt @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2012 ) Florida 31, Vanderbilt 17

Florida looks to avoid its second four-game losing streak in three years when it hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. If history is any guide, the Commodores may be the right opponent for a Gators team that needs a boost, as Florida has won 22 straight meetings overall - a run that dates back to a tie in 1958 - and 17 in a row at home. This also marks the Gators' first game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since Oct. 5.

Since then, Florida lost two true road games to LSU and Missouri by a combined 30 points and then fell behind by 20 in the annual neutral-site meeting with Georgia before a late rally fell short. The Commodores will not be a pushover for the struggling Gators, as Vanderbilt averages 11.1 points more than offensively challenged Florida. Defense remains an issue, however, as the Commodores gave up 558 more yards in a 56-24 loss at Texas A&M their last time out.

TV: Noon ET, FSN, ESPN3. LINE: Florida -10

ABOUT VANDERBILT (4-4, 1-4 SEC): The Commodores had a week off to lick their wounds following the blowout loss at Texas A&M. They can look to the schedule for a little help in finishing strong, as none of Vanderbilt's four remaining opponents have a winning record, combining to enter the weekend with a 14-20 record. With two wins somewhere in the stretch run, the Commodores could be headed to a bowl game for the third straight year, a first for the program.

ABOUT FLORIDA (4-4, 3-3 SEC): The Gators' defense has performed well overall, but it has helped opponents get the jump in recent games. Georgia scored 14 points in the first five-plus minutes last week and Missouri got a touchdown just 22 seconds into its encounter with Florida two weeks earlier. That has made things more difficult for the league's lowest-ranked offense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Gators OT Tyler Moore is out for the season after suffering a broken elbow in a scooter accident on Tuesday night.

2. Vanderbilt has scored at least 24 points in 14 straight games, a school record.

3. Florida, which has not had a losing record since 1979, still has games against ranked opponents South Carolina and Florida State.

PREDICTION: Florida 28, Vanderbilt 20