Vanderbilt at Florida Lines

Written by Jack Jones

Based on past history, Florida’s chances at a 23rd Homecoming win in 24 years might seem assured, but Vanderbilt won’t go quietly. Both teams are going through losing runs right now and both could use a boost by getting a win to draw a little closer to bowl eligibility.

Florida has won 21 consecutive meetings with Vanderbilt, the last loss coming in 1988 in Nashville. Overall, UF has won 33 of 44 all-time meetings, losing just once at home – the very first meeting in 1945.

The Week 10 college football odds list the Gators as 14-point favorites, while the total has been posted at 44 points.

Vanderbilt

After a 3-0 start, the Commodores have hit on hard times, dropping four of their last five games, and came up short at home last week against 10th-ranked Arkansas, 31-28. All four losses have been to teams ranked in this week’s BCS top-25, and there are no more such teams on the remaining schedule.

Vandy ranks 38th nationally in scoring defense (23 points per game) while surrendering 332 yards per game (207 passing, 125 rushing). The squad has compiled 17 sacks and 22 turnovers, with three turned for touchdowns (Trey Wilson two, Casey Hayward one, interceptions). Chris Marve leads the team with 61 tackles, adding a sack, interception and forced fumble. Tim Fugger and Rob Lohr have 9.5 combined sacks, Hayward has five interceptions and Fuggger has two forced fumbles/

Offensively, Vanderbilt ranks 80th in scoring offense (25 ppg), recording 320 yards per game (167 rushing, 153 passing). Zac Stacy anchors the run game with 707 yards and six TDs (7.3 yards per carry). Jordan Rodgers completes 47 percent of his completions for 662 yards and three TDs with five interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 20 sacks. Chris Boyd has four TD catches in his 15 grabs for 242 yards. Jonathan Krause has caught 21 passes for 149 yards as the top target.

Andre Hal averages 26 yards per kickoff return and has one TD runback this year.

Florida

The Gators get a relative breather this week, having gone through four nationally ranked opponents in each of the last four games (all losses) -= the most recent a 24-20 loss to Georgia in Jacksonville. Florida is 4-0 against unranked opponents, outscoring those teams by a 40-9 average. In the four losses, UF was outscored by a 30-12 average.

Florida ranks 22nd nationally in scoring defense (18 ppg), giving up 338 yards per game (183 passing, 155 rushing). The unit has recorded 12 sacks and forced seven turnovers, with one returned for a TD (J Howard, fumble). Jonathan Bostic leads the team with 52 tackles, adding a team-best three sacks and one forced fumble. Matt Elam has two INTs.

The Gator offense ranks 74th in scoring offense (26 ppg) while gaining 287 total yards per contest (168 passing, 119 rushing). John Brantley has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,187 yards with six TDs and three INTs. The offensive line has given up 17 sacks. Seven different players have at least 10 catches, led by Chris Rainey with 20 grabs for 305 yards and two TDs; Rainey also is the team’s top runner with 526 yards and two scores (4.9 ypc).

Rainey has as a punt return for a touchdown this season, and Jeff Demps averages 39 yards per kick off – including a 99-yarder for a TD.

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