Game 9: Florida Gators (5-3, 3-3) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-6, 1-4)
Kickoff: 12:21pm ET
Weather: 40 degrees and clear.
Television: SEC Network (Ft. Myers, WXCW; Gainesville, WOGX; Jacksonville, WJXT; Miami, WSFL; Orlando, WOFL; Pensacola, WJTC; Tallahassee, WCTV; Tampa, WTTA; West Palm Beach, WFLX)
Series History: 43rd meeting, Florida leads 31-9-2.
Line, O/U: Florida -14.5, 46 O/U
We have been basking in the glow of beating a lower tier SEC team, but another one is here today. Vanderbilt is a very bad team. They allow 414 yards per game and gain 287. They allow almost 28 points per game, ten more than they score. Among the national categories, the Dores are in the top-20 of two rankings; 12th in net punting and 16th in tackles for loss. Of course, you'll get a lot of tackles for a loss when the other team always has the ball.
The Gators should not show too much today, ahead of the South Carolina game. Yes, looking ahead is a recipe for disaster, but UF losing this game is so far beyond the range of possibilities. Florida will continue to pound the ball, now that Mike Gillislee and Emmanuel Moody are healthy. Chris Rainey was supposed to be a receiver, but his excellent play last week should earn him time as a relief pitcher for Jeff Demps.
On defense, the Gators continue to be two steps forward, one step back. Against Georgia, four takeaways combined with 400+ yards of offense allowed. Locking up A.J. Green meant allowing two 100-yard receivers. UF needs a game where they can dominate and show that they are learning from their mistakes.
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