Previewing Saturday’s matchup between Vanderbilt and No. 14 Florida at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
History Lesson: Vanderbilt trails the all-time series with Florida 10-39-2. The Commodores seek their first victory vs. the Gators since a 34-17 win in Gainesville in 2013.
Names to Watch (Florida):
QB Feleipe Franks
Franks has found his comfort zone in first-year head coach Dan Mullen’s offense. The quarterback has thrown 13 touchdown passes – he threw nine in all of 2017 – against just four interceptions. Franks has three 200-yard passing games this season after recording just one last fall.
WR Freddie Swain
The junior receiver leads the Gators in all-purpose yards with 372 and four total touchdowns. Swain’s production includes three receiving touchdowns and an 85-yard punt return for a score against Colorado State.
DL Jachai Polite
Polite has been anything but, uh, polite to opposing offenses this season. Florida’s disruptive lineman has 15 tackles for loss and six sacks this season; his six sacks are tied for second among SEC players.
The Statistical
20
Sacks recorded by Florida’s defense this season, third-most in the country. This defense has been ferocious against all comers this season. In their last two games against No. 23 Mississippi State and No. 5 LSU, the Gators have amassed 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
7,135
Career passing yards for Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur. The senior became just the third Commodore signal-caller to surpass the 7,000-yard career plateau last week against Georgia. He needs just 846 more yards to pass Greg Zolman for second place on the program’s career passing list.
23.1
Vanderbilt’s offensive success on third or fourth down against Georgia. The Commodores did not turn the ball over vs. the Dawgs, but they struggled to move the chains. VU’s offense finished 3-for-13 (23.1 percent) on third or fourth down in the loss.
The Big Question: Can Vanderbilt handle Florida’s defensive pressure? Georgia’s defensive front forced Shurmur into quick throws on several occasions. Expect the Gators’ stout front to offer the same challenge the Dores’ offensive line. If Vanderbilt can’t withstand the battle in the trenches, it could be a long day for Shurmur and the offense.
Vanderbilt Needs To: Set the tone early. Vanderbilt’s slow starts have become a theme: the Commodores have been outscored 34-10 in the first quarter of games in 2018. The Dores need to come out swinging on Saturday in front of a home crowd and keep their foot on the gas when it matters most. If they do, the Gators will find themselves having to rally on the road.
Did You Know? Two of the last three games in the SEC series have been decided by one score. Florida secured a 9-7 win over Vanderbilt in 2015 before claiming a 13-6 victory in 2016. Florida’s 38-24 win last season was a one-score game until late in the fourth quarter.
He Said It: “Now is the time where, if you look at it, you’re halfway through the season. You’re heading into the first game on the backside of that. If you’re going to make the run, you’ve got to make a run now. So, let’s make a run.” –Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
Pre-Snap Read: Florida
