Florida Football 2011: How the Gators Matchup Against the Vanderbilt Commodores

The Florida Gators will get a much needed return to the swamp for their homecoming game against Vanderbilt this year. 

The Gators come into this game reeling, losers of their last four games. The Commodores are coming off a tough loss to Arkansas. Both teams are 4-4 on the season. 

While Vanderbilt has been a bottom dweller in the SEC sine the conference was created in 1932, the Commodores have played significantly better this season and will be looking for their first win against Florida since 1988. The Gators will be looking to stop their current losing skid and get one game closer to becoming bowl eligible.

Let's take a look at the matchups and predict what will happen Saturday. 

Gator Passing Attack vs Commodore Pass Defense

Florida

Florida received a boost in their passing game with the return of quarterback John Brantley. Brantley had been sidelined with a high ankle sprain since the Alabama game. While Brantley is definitely not at 100 percent, he gives the Gators a better chance of being successful on the offensive side of the ball.

In his return against Georgia, Brantley threw for 245 yards and a touchdown. Brantley was clearly limited in his ability to move around on his injured ankle, and the Bulldogs took advantage of it sacking Brantley six times. Brantley will continue to nurse the ankle, but is expected to play and start on Saturday.

The Gators come into the game with the sixth-ranked passing attack in the SEC, averaging 186 yards through the air a game. 

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt comes into the game with the ninth-ranked passing defense in the conference, allowing 206 passing yards a game. The Commodores have been very effective rushing the passer this season, recording 17 sacks. With Brantley clearly slowed by his ankle injury, expect the Commodores to pin their ears back and come after him. 

With pressuring the quarterback comes interceptions, and Vandy has picked opposing quarterbacks off 15 times this year and returned three of those for touchdowns. That is second best in the SEC and an area Florida has struggled with this year, having thrown eight interceptions already this season. While Vanderbilt has only forced one interception in the past four games, if they are able to get to the quarterback against Florida, there could be more to come. 

Breakdown

With Brantley getting another week to rest his ankle, he will be more mobile in this game. While Brantley should never be confused for a mobile quarterback to begin with, he will be able to step up in the pocket and hopefully be able to take snaps under center this week. 

EDGE: Florida 

Commodore Passing Attack vs Gators Pass Defense

Florida

The Gators defense has been the lone bright spot in the last two losses. Florida comes into the game Saturday with the third-best passing defense in the conference, allowing just 168 yards through the air per game. 

Freshman Marcus Roberson ended an interception drought for the Gators when he picked off an Aaron Murray pass attempt. The Gators have struggled to take the ball away this season, recording only five interceptions. Florida has not gotten the amount of pressure they would like to, only getting to the opposing quarterback 14 times this season. 

Vanderbilt 

After almost leading a comeback against Georgia, quarterback Jordan Rogers took over the starting quarterback position for Vandy. The younger brother of Aaron Rogers and a Juco transfer, Rogers has gone 1-1 as a starter and almost engineered a win against eighth ranked Arkansas.

Like his older brother, Rogers is not only a threat passing, but he is a threat to take off and run at any moment. He has 18 rushing attempts in each of the last two games for 96 and 66 yards respectively. 

Breakdown

The Gators struggled against a mobile quarterback against Kentucky, but the Commodores do not have the athletes on offense to challenge the Gators. 

EDGE: Florida 

Florida Running Game vs Commodores Rush Defense

Florida 

The Florida running game has hit a wall the past four games. In the last four games, Florida has rushed for 15, 113, 66 and negative-19 yards. Part of this is due to the quality of defenses that the Gators have played, but most of it is due to horrific offensive line play. The Gators have not been able to get anything going on the ground, only averaging 43.75 rushing yards during their four-game losing streak.

The return of Jeff Demps should help the rushing game, but Chris Rainey was seen in a walking boot on campus Monday. The way Florida has treated injuries this season, it will not be know if Rainey will be able to play until kickoff. 

Vanderbilt 

Vandy has the fourth-best rush defense in the SEC, coming in after Alabama, LSU and Georgia. Two of those three teams held Florida to under 100 yards rushing, and LSU would have held Florida to under 100 yards if the game were closer. 

Breakdown

Expect the same stagnant rushing attack that we have seen from Florida the past four games. 

EDGE: Vanderbilt

Commodores Rushing Game vs Florida Rush Defense

Florida 

The Gators come into the game with the fifth-ranked rushing defense in the SEC and have allowed 100 yards or more on the ground in five consecutive games. The Gators defense has not received any help from the offense this season, and are constantly having to hold teams that are starting drives on the Gators side of the field.

With the offense not being able to move the ball effectively, the defense does not get a lot of time to rest on the sideline, which is causing them to wear down late in games. 

Vanderbilt 

Vandy averages 167 yards rushing a game, which places them sixth in the SEC. The Commodores have a good every down back in Zac Stacy, who has an impressive 7.29 ypc this season. Jordan Rogers is also a threat on the ground from the quarterback position. Rogers has rushed 55 times for 256 yards and three scores this season. 

Breakdown

The Florida defense does not have the great numbers to show it, but they are very talented and should not have a problem stopping the Commodore rushing game. 

EDGE: Florida 

Special Teams

Florida 

The Gators have the best kick return team in the SEC, but the third worst punt return team. Muffed punts cost the Gators the game against Auburn, and other than Chris Rainey's punt return for a touchdown in the first game of the season, Florida has lacked the kind of big play ability they have shown in seasons past. 

Jeff Demps returned a kick for a touchdown against Georgia, and with Rainey hobbled by an injury, he should be back returning kicks with Andre Debose on Saturday. 

Kicker Caleb Sturgis did not play against Georgia, and it is unsure if he will be able to go against Vanderbilt. Sophomore Brad Phillips filled in against Georgia and was 2-of-3 on his field goal attempts while connecting on both of his extra point attempts. 

Vanderbilt 

The Commodores come into the game with the ninth-ranked punt return team and the fourth best kick return team. Vandy has one kick return for a touchdown this season coming against Georgia. 

Sophomore Carey Spear has struggled somewhat this season, connecting on only four of his seven field goal attempts and 24 of his 25 extra point attempts. 

Breakdown

The Gators have not blocked a kick or a punt since Joke Phillips questioned the way the Gators lined up on special teams. The Gators will need to swing the game in their favor, and blocking a punt or kick could be the key for the special teams. 

EDGE: Florida 

Prediction Time

The Gators will end their losing streak this Saturday against Vanderbilt. The Commodores have shown much improvement this season, but have also shown why they are Vandy. 

Last week, in a game that they had no business being in, they gave Arkansas a scare, but found a way to lose the game late. Expect Vandy to stick around for a while, but fall short at the end. 

This game will be closer than most people think, but in the end, the Gators will cover the 11.5 point spread and get their season back on track. 

Florida 31 Vanderbilt 17