Vandy Host Gators  

---

Saturday, November 8th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

By Pat Taggart, Associate College Football Editor

GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Florida Gators have looked indestructible lately, and they can claim a spot in the SEC title game if they can knock off Vanderbilt on the road this weekend.

Florida has won its last 17 meetings with Vanderbilt and owns a 30-9-2 advantage in the all-time series, so expect the Gators to enter this contest with a great deal of confidence. Since losing its only game of the season to Ole Miss by one point in late September, Florida has posted four consecutive victories, all by 30 or more points. The most recent triumph was perhaps the most impressive, as the Gators crushed rival Georgia last weekend by a 49-10 final. They have scored 163 points in the last three outings and are being billed by many fans and analysts as the best team in the nation.

As for Vanderbilt, it opened the season with five consecutive wins to earn a spot in the top-25 and the attention of the college football world. Unfortunately for the Commodores, they have come crashing back to Earth with three straight losses. The most recent loss occurred on October 25th to Duke by a 10-7 final, and the team had an open date last weekend.

It is certainly true that you can't teach speed, but Urban Meyer sure can recruit it. The Florida Gators are the fastest team in the nation from top to bottom, and that makes them a legitimate national title contender. In large part because of the speed, Florida is generating 42.9 ppg and 405.6 total ypg. The Gators have scored 39 offensive touchdowns, including 23 on the ground. The running game accounts for 194.6 ypg and 5.2 yards per attempt, and freshman Jeffery Demps has added an explosive dimension to the offense. His position on the road is ATH, for athlete, and he has rushed for 378 yards and four touchdowns on only 37 carries. Chris Rainey has posted 333 yards, and Tim Tebow has rushed for eight scores despite a decrease in yardage from last season. As for Percy Harvin, the team's do-it-all threat, he has four rushing scores to go along with seven receiving touchdowns. Tebow has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns against two interceptions, and while another Heisman Trophy is unlikely, he is in complete control of the offense.

The big signal caller threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for three scores in the romp over Georgia last week. The offense finished the day with 373 yards and seven touchdowns. "It was a great win for us," said a triumphant Tebow after the tilt. "We knew we needed this one and we were focused all week. The defense made plays and the offense finished drives."

Florida ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense (11.6 ppg), 13th in rushing defense (103.1 ypg) and 16th in total defense (289.0 ypg). The Gators have already intercepted 13 passes, four of which have been returned for touchdowns. Brandon Spikes is the leader of the defense, as he has made 59 total tackles, including six for loss and two sacks. Also, Spikes has a pair of interceptions to his credit and does a great job of making sure his teammates are in position to succeed.

Last weekend, Georgia was able to post 398 total yards against Florida, including 292 yards through the air. Still, it is important to point out that many of those yards came in the second half after the Gators were already comfortably ahead. Four takeaways set Tebow and the offense up with outstanding field position. "We wanted to stop Knowshon Moreno from running downhill all game like he did last year," said Spikes. "We tried to hit hard early in the game to make a statement." Moreno, Georgia's star tailback, was held in check.

There was a glaring lack of offensive production by Vanderbilt in the most recent loss to Duke. The only points scored by the Commodores in that clash came on a 79-yard touchdown pass from Mackenzi Adams to Sean Walker in the fourth quarter. They finished the day with 291 yards, including 81 rushing yards on 32 attempts. Adams only completed 14-of-31 passes and was intercepted twice, a line that is simply not good enough to win. Walker was the lone bright spot for the offense, as he made six catches for 138 yards. "Duke played very well on defense; they had a good plan," said Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson after the game. "They took away from our outside runs and our quick sweeps with our wide receivers." They Commodores did miss a pair of field goals that could have led to victory.

Vanderbilt is not going to scare any opponents with its offensive ability, as the team is only averaging 21.0 ppg and 254.6 total ypg. The 'Dores average just 110.4 ypg through the air, ranking near the bottom of the NCAA charts in that category. Both Adams and Chris Nickson have seen significant time under center this season, and neither can be considered a big-time performer.

Considering that Vandy allowed only 10 points to Duke last weekend, it is fair to say that the Commodores played well enough defensively to win the game. The Blue Devils were only able to post 250 total yards in the clash, including 28 rushing yards on 36 attempts. That effort against the run was brilliant, and Vandy will need a similar showing this weekend to keep this game close. "We have to put points on the board to help our defense to gain the win," said tight end Brandon Barden. "We didn't do that today."

Opponents are scoring only 16.5 ppg against Vanderbilt, which has played quite well defensively this season. The team is limiting opponents to 323.4 total ypg, and the run defense has been solid. While foes have made some big plays through the air against Vandy, the Commodores have 13 interceptions to their credit to go along with 25 sacks. Patrick Benoist leads the team with 70 total tackles.

Don't expect this game to be close, as Florida has too much on the line to play down to Vandy's level. Expect the Gators to jump on top early and never look back.

Predicted Outcome: Florida 38, Vanderbilt 7

Web Producer- Brett Haas

Copyright 2008 WAAYTV.com, The Sports Network contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

THE MOST RECENT REPORTS  

---

Vandy Becomes Bowl Eligible With 31-24 Victory  

Vandy Host Gators  

Vandy's Johnson says Florida can play with 10 if they want  

Vandy and Duke In Close One  

Duke (3-3) at Vanderbilt (5-2)  

Vandy at Georgia  

Vandy's Winning Streak Comes To an End  

Undefeated Vandy at 1-4 Mississippi State  

Vandy Edges Auburn 14-13  

more>>