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Florida Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Vanderbilt

By Hunter Kinniburgh

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 23: Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators runs for a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on September 23, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 23: Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators runs for a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on September 23, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Vanderbilt looks to put its troubles from last week behind it as it takes on Florida football in The Swamp. Here is our preview of this SEC East matchup.

Last week many thought Vanderbilt might just be able to hang with Alabama. Boy we’re they wrong — myself included. While I didn’t think that Vandy would win, I certainly thought they’d give Alabama a game. But a thorough domination by the Crimson Tide ensued and Vanderbilt was left to pick themselves up and move on.

All is not lost for Vanderbilt; there is still plenty to like about this team and I think they’ll have a better showing this week. The Commodore defense should have a good day against a shaky Gator offense. The resolve of the Commodore offense will be something to keep an eye on against the Gators.

Florida’s matchup with Kentucky was the polar opposite of Vanderbilt’s game against Alabama. The Gators narrowly escaped Lexington with a win over the Wildcats by a score of 28-27. Kentucky might have won the game had they not been called for holding on a run play that would’ve set them up to kick a game winning field goal. The Wildcats attempted a kick that fell short in the end.

Florida will be making a change at quarterback this week as the Gators turn to former starter Luke Del Rio. This is a move that honestly should’ve been made in the opening game against Michigan. Del Rio has the experience and the poise that the Florida offense needs right now. Behind Del Rio, I think an uptick in offensive production should take place.

Here is how you can watch the matchup between the Commodores and the Gators:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 30
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For Vanderbilt the Commodores simply have to get their offense going. Florida does have a good defense but any offense will be better than last week for Vanderbilt. I would expect the defense to have a better day than last week as well. Vanderbilt really never had time to get their wits about them against Alabama. Florida doesn’t have the dynamic offense that Alabama does, that bodes well for the Commodore defense in this game.

Del Rio will be the key to victory for Florida. Del Rio gets the pleasure of coming back to the starting role against one of the country’s better defenses. But if performs well and is at least manageable at the position, it’ll put the Gators in a good spot to win. The Gators defense should be good to go.

Although Kyle Shurmur could get hot and make some plays. The run game behind Ralph Webb will be something the Gators defense will have to key in on early.

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Prediction

I expect Vanderbilt will be competitive in this game. Then again, you really cannot get any worse than last week. This should be a close game, but I think Del Rio returning to the starting lineup will be a boost to the Gator offense — one that Vanderbilt will not be able to overcome.

Final Score: Florida 20, Vanderbilt 14

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