Florida Gators vs Vanderbilt Commodores
(Sat Nov 7 2009)
7:15 P.M. from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville FL on espn2 TV
The Gators lead the series 31-9-2
The Gators have defeated the Commodores 18 straight times.
The No. 1 Florida Gators are back in The Swamp this weekend. The next victim on the list: Vanderbilt Commodores. The Florida Gators have won 18 straight games vs. the Commodores and are looking to make it 19 in a row. Vandy is 2-7 overall through the first nine games of 2009 and it’s not really fair they have to play the No. 1 ranked team in the country, led by quarterback Tim Tebow and the best defense to ever take the field. Gator fans could see a beatdown like none other tomorrow night. The game starts at 7:15pm and will be broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2.
The Gators are coming off a very good win vs. Georgia last week. Both the offense and defense finally played a game in sync. The offense wasn’t scared to move the ball. The play calling opened up - it actually looked like the spread - and the defensive line was playing like a pack of wild animals. When you add in all the dirty plays and controversy from this week, the Gators are poised to play with a new sense of purpose. If the Gators had a few sparks lit under them before, there is now an inferno raging inside. I want to see energy, excitement, fight and domination tomorrow night.
There’s not much to say about this game - Vanderbilt just isn’t very good. Their two wins came against Western Carolina and Rice. Vandy did put up 31 points on No. 11 Georgia Tech last week, but that was uncharacteristic for them. The only time Vandy put up more than 30 points in games this year are in their two wins. Their quarterback Larry Smith has more interceptions than touchdowns and their leading receiver John Cole has yet to find the endzone.
The Gators historically play Vanderbilt very well - like I said, 18 in a row. They’ve scored 40+ points in 3 of the last 4 meetings and Tim Tebow has combined for 10 total touchdowns in their last two meetings. Tim hasn’t exactly been lighting up the box score this season, so maybe this is a week he finally puts up big stats. Though, if the game gets out of hand early… Meyer might pull Tebow in the 4th to get Brantley some work. The Gators will be without Brandon Spikes though, for an entire game now. Stamper has really stepped his game up this year, so they’ll be fine at the LB spot.
I’m predicting a 49-13 victory for the Gators.
http://www.gatorenvy.com/2009/11/vanderbilt-vs-florida-gators/
