The Gators are looking to rebound from an embarrassing effort in Lexington last week. Florida welcomes in Vanderbilt, just in time for Homecoming.
The following are our staff’s predictions for Florida vs Vanderbilt:
Carson Euverard – Depending which Gator team shows up this weekend will determine the outcome. The Gators came out flat against Kentucky and if that team shows up, they could be looking at back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt.
Billy Napier will need to start opening up the playbook with downfield passes and play-action so the rushing attack can get back on track.
There is a talent gap between the Gators and the Commodores, and UF should be able to control the line of scrimmage. Gators win, 35-21.
Alyssa Britton-Harr – Florida will look to take its fourth win at home against Vanderbilt Saturday. The Gators are favored by 18.5 points, and look to take revenge after their 31-24 loss last season in Nashville. Graham Mertz ranked fifth in the SEC in passing efficiency needs to move the ball quickly, otherwise the game could quickly end up like the Kentucky game. Although running back Trevor Etienne is questionable to play Saturday, the Gators have a solid defense that is dominant. I believe Florida will pull off a win, 30-10.
Hugh Green – After a letdown game last week against Kentucky, Florida will come into this game hungry for a victory on Homecoming. They are going up against a Vanderbilt team that has lost its last four straight games. The Gators will be back at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in which they are 3-0 so far this season.
Florida should dominate on the offensive side of the ball against a Commodore defense that has allowed an average of over 37 points per game on their four-game losing streak. It will be interesting to see if the Gators can get the ground game going like they did against Tennessee three weeks ago.
If the Gators have success running the football and can play defense like they have shown so far in 2023, I see them easily handling Vanderbilt at home. Florida, 31-14.
Brian Fox – At the time of writing this, the Gators are a 18.5-point favorite. How anyone could bet on Florida to cover those kind of odds after the last two showings is utterly unjustifiable.
Is Florida the more talented team, absolutely yes. Does Florida have the revenge factor on their side, definitely yes. But 18.5 points? Lets be honest here, if Vandy focuses on stopping the Gators’ run game, can UF even put up 21+ points?
For the sake of the program, I believe Florida wins this game, but that spread makes it very hard to not bet the other side. Gators, 30-24.
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Florida and Vanderbilt will kick off from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 4:00 PM Saturday.