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Florida vs. Vanderbilt, Game Thread: 25 predictions for a rebound

The Gators should be able to find a W in Nashville.

By Andy Hutchins
Florida v Vanderbilt Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

It’s hard to play basketball at Vanderbilt. Memorial Gym’s obnoxiously unorthodox floor means that coaches must yell from the opposite baseline to make themselves heard, and the sight lines on the basket are affected by the non-standard layout. Florida has lost in its last two trips to Nashville, and it’s not a trip any Gator is keen to make soon.

On the flip side, Florida has played football pretty well in Nashville — which makes the Gators’ chances of a rebound at Vandy today (noon, SEC Network or WatchESPN) pretty darned good.

Florida hasn’t lost to Vanderbilt on the road since 1988, and has only lost once overall to the Commodores since then, during that injury-racked 2013 season virtually every Gator would like to forget.

But the games between the teams have actually been more lopsided when Florida is on the road rather than in The Swamp of late: The last time Vandy kept the Gators within a possession was a 25-19 loss in 2006, and there have only been three one-possession games in the Gators’ 12 trips to Nashville since Florida and Vanderbilt began meeting annually in 1992.

Florida is, again, a double-digit favorite in the Music City today, and there’s little reason to believe that the Gators won’t be able to sink the Commodores again.

Here are my 25 predictions for Florida-Vanderbilt.

  1. Florida will score at least 27 points.
  2. At least one team will get to double figures in the first half.
  3. Florida will lead by at least 14 points at some point in the game.
  4. Austin Appleby will throw for at least 200 yards.
  5. Appleby will not throw an interception.
  6. Appleby will not be the only Florida player to throw a pass.
  7. Jordan Scarlett will lead Florida in rushing yards.
  8. A Florida running back will average more than five yards per carry.
  9. Antonio Callaway will lead Florida in receiving yards.
  10. Callaway will not lead Florida in receptions.
  11. Two Florida wide receivers will catch touchdown passes.
  12. Callaway will make a big play on special teams.
  13. CeCe Jefferson will record at least one sack.
  14. Florida will record at least three sacks.
  15. Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis will combine for more than 10 tackles.
  16. A Florida freshman linebacker will have at least three tackles.
  17. Marcus Maye will make a big play on defense.
  18. Florida will recover at least one fumble.
  19. Florida will record at least one interception.
  20. Florida will allow between 150 and 300 yards.
  21. Florida’s defense will allow fewer than 4.5 yards per play.
  22. Florida will force at least two turnovers.
  23. Florida will win the turnover battle.
  24. Florida will win by at least 12 points.
  25. Florida will win, 34-10.

Your predictions and comments, as always, are welcomed. A reminder: Please be kind and treat your fellow commenters as you would your siblings.