Florida vs. Vanderbilt: GatorMaven Staff Picks and Predictions!

How does the GatorMaven staff see Florida vs. Vanderbilt turning out?

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Goodall: Florida 38, Vanderbilt 10

This game is going to be lopsided from the get-go, despite NFL talent coming from Vanderbilt's offense. Running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb, and tight end Jared Pinkney have all received Senior Bowl invites, but Florida's defense will come out hungry after their loss to Georgia and shut it all down. 

We need to see Emory Jones get some snaps today. If the game plays out the way I project it to, expect that to happen.

Graham Marsh: Florida 45. Vanderbilt 14

Vanderbilt is bad. Like really, really bad. 

If the Commodores hang around, that’s a severe problem. However, Ke’Shawn Vaughn is good. Like really, really good. SO, he’s probably good to break one or two. I think two big runs from him get Vandy on the board a few times. Once early and once late. 

Kyle Trask should be done by or midway through the third, as there’s no reason he can’t slice up this defense. Also, this could be a game to get the running game back on track. Maybe Chris Bleich leaving will allow Richard Gouraige to flourish at guard and Florida will have newfound push in the running game? Gator fans can only hope. BUT at least the passing game should put Vanderbilt away early. 

It’s a noon game, so get prepared to watch, go home, get a nap and enjoy midtown.

Jeremy Klump: Florida 38, Vanderbilt 17

After a rough loss to Georgia, Florida looks to bounce back against Vanderbilt. Florida enters the game 7-2, but still remains a Top 10 team, sitting at No. 10. In Dan Mullen’s toughest test as Florida’s head coach, he keeps his team motivated and the Gators get back on track.

Ainslie Lee: Florida 43, Vanderbilt 13

Even coming off of a loss to the Dawgs, the Gators have a lot to be thankful for. After an uncharacteristically bad showing in Jacksonville, the Gators only dropped to Georgia’s near-flawless performance by seven points. Dan Mullen is absolutely frustrated with the little mistakes that ultimately lost Florida the football game in Jacksonville last Saturday. 

However, unfortunately for Vanderbilt, Mullen will likely take out all of those frustrations against the Commodores. Although they don’t really have anything to prove, Mullen will feel that his Gators need to show just how uncharacteristic last Saturday’s performance was. I expect the Gators’ offense to blow the nonexistent roof off of The Swamp. It’ll be electric, despite a lackluster opponent. Todd Grantham’s defense will also have a chip on their shoulder. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, while a good back, will have a rough outing in Gainesville on Friday. Not to mention Vandy’s quarterback position is everything but stable. 

Donavon Keiser: Florida 35, Vanderbilt 10

Florida completely outmatches an underwhelming Vanderbilt team who has lost most of their playmakers since last year, and I see Florida winning big. 

Ke’Shawn Vaughn should do his thing for Vandy, but if Florida replicates what they did against the run last week they should be fine. I’d like to see more Emory Jones today, and I’m sure Graham and Zach feel the same way. Trask is great, but I’d like Mullen to work in Jones to make up for the lack of snaps last week. Florida should move the ball relatively easy, and I’m interested to see how Ethan White moves into the rotation on the offensive line with the loss of Chris Bleich to the transfer portal. I’m banking on La’Mical Perine to have a big game today, as Richard Gouraige is finally in the rotation full time, and Vandy has one of the worst defenses in the SEC. All in all, it should be smooth sailing for the Gators, if they can limit Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

Ethan Budowsky: No score prediction, but Gators by 28.

The Gators need a big bounce back after a tough loss to Georgia last weekend to keep their season from going off the rails. They bounced back well after LSU against South Carolina and I expect them to do the same here. All indications are the team has a newfound hunger to prove they belong among the country's elite and that this loss will help bring out the character in the team. I expect an inspired performance against an inferior Vandy team starting their 3rd string QB. I expect the Gators to win and win big