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Fresh off its biggest win under coach Will Muschamp, the Florida Gators (5-0, 4-0) will try not to overlook Vanderbilt on Saturday and glance ahead to next week’s huge game with South Carolina. The Gators are 8.5-point favorites on Vegassportsbetting.com
The UF defense showed why its one of the best in the nation last week in the 14-6 win over then-No. 4 LSU. The Gators harassed quarterback Zach Mettenberger and pretty much shut down running backs Spencer Ware, Kenny Hilliard and Michael Ford, and completely wore down LSU’s vaunted defense.
Mettenberger completed 11-of-25 passes for 161 yards, with an interception. LSU finished with 42 yards rushing. The Tigers were 1 of 13 on third downs and finished with just eight first downs — three on penalties.
UF’s Mike Gillislee ran for his third 100-yard game of the season with a career-high 146 yards and two TDs on 34 carries. QB Jeff Driskel threw for just 61 yards. Dating to 1996 that’s the Gators’ lowest single-game passing output, while marking the fourth time under 100 yards.
The Gator victory was Florida’s second during that span with under 100 passing yards (96 yards vs. Tennessee in 2008).
Florida outscored LSU 14-0 in the second half. In five games this season, the Gators have allowed just 13 points combined after the break. Florida has been even more dominant in the 4th quarter, outscoring opponents 41-0 in 5 games. UF only had three SEC wins all of last season.
Florida’s victory snapped LSU’s seven-game winning streak against the SEC Eastern Division, along with the Tigers’ nation-leading 18-game regular-season winning streak. It was Muschamp’s first win over a Top-5 team.
Vanderbilt (2-3, 1-2) beat Missouri 19-15 last week. Zac Stacy rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries for Vanderbilt. Jordan Rodgers was 14 of 24 for 182 yards and one interception.
Stacy passed former Vanderbilt great Charley Horton (1952-55) on the rushing TD list. He now has 23 rushing touchdowns, just three behind modern-day team record holder Dean Davidson (1947-50).
Florida has captured the last 21 games played between the schools, dating back to a 24-9 Vanderbilt victory in 1988. The Commodores are 7-15-1 all-time in games played in Nashville.
Vegas trends: Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings. Gators are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings in Vanderbilt. Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
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