With Florida’s track record against Vanderbilt, there’s never really a bad time to face the Commodores.
And this year’s matchup falls on an especially good spot on the calendar.
A week removed from its most promising offensive performance of the season, the Gators will head to Nashville, Tenn., for what amounts to a warm up before a likely Southeastern Conference East-deciding showdown with South Carolina on Nov. 13.
UF has won 19 straight against Vandy, but this year has proven that no opponent is sure-fire Gator bait.
That, combined with an 11:21 a.m. (CDT) kickoff and expected temperatures around 40 degrees, has Florida coach Urban Meyer nervous.
“It is a concern because you know that the team you are playing is one of those teams that is looking to get you, and they have the talent to get you,” Meyer said, pointing to Vandy’s mobile quarterback, Larry Smith, as another reason for worry.
“So yes, that is uncomfortable. … There’s nothing we can do about it. We just have to go and play our tails off.”
In truth, the Gators just have to wake up — which Meyer listed as his biggest concern — and avoid falling flat on their backs.
The Commodores’ offense is the worst in the conference, and since topping Ole Miss in September, they’ve been outscored 113-21 in three straight SEC losses. To make matters worse, running back and kick returner Warren Norman, who ranked third in the SEC for all-purpose yards per game, was declared out for the season this week with a wrist injury.
Still, Meyer said he isn’t worried about his team overlooking Vanderbilt, partly because of the Commodores’ 21-7 loss to South Carolina two weeks ago, when the teams were tied until deep into the third quarter.
“The greatest thing that happens is seeing film of them beating Ole Miss and beating South Carolina for a good portion of the game,” Meyer said. “We spend as much time working on our offense as anything.”
The Gators flashed an improved offense in last week’s win against Georgia, and between a no-huddle attack and rotating quarterbacks John Brantley and Trey Burton mid-play, they’re giving first-year Vanderbilt coach Robbie Caldwell plenty to prepare for.
“We’re going to have to be on our P’s and Q’s for sure,” Caldwell said. “I’ve been very proud watching [Florida’s offense] progress. Obviously, I’d prefer they hadn’t before we played them, but it’s impressive to see how much progress they’ve made playing some of the younger players they’ve been playing.”
The two-headed quarterback strategy might sprout a third noggin this week, when tight end Jordan Reed is expected to join the fray. Reed carried three times for 19 yards against the Bulldogs, and Meyer said he planned to let him throw the ball Saturday.
Reed is the best fit at wildcat quarterback because he’s a threat both running and throwing, and Brantley isn’t bothered by his position becoming even more crowded so the Gators can run the option.
“That’s what we have done really well here for the past few years, and we wanted to get that back in the system,” Brantley said. “If that means we put someone else back there to run it, then by all means let’s do it. That’s what has been successful, and that’s what we’re going to keep doing.”
