INSIDE SLANT
Florida has clinched the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division, assuring a trip to the SEC title game in Atlanta. But there are bigger goals for the Gators, who are trying to extend their nation-best 18-game winning streak and preserve their No. 1 ranking.
That quest will continue Saturday at home against Vanderbilt.
"The focus is on trying to get better," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "That's absolutely what we do. Last week, the ship was sinking. That's what I kept hearing."
Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC) solved some of its red zone woes last week against Georgia, scoring 10 points in three trips inside the 20. Against Vanderbilt, Florida will look to try to fluster Vanderbilt quarterback Mackenzi Adams, who is making his first start of the season. Starting quarterback Larry Smith is done for the season with a torn hamstring.
"Our focus is on Vanderbilt," Meyer said.
"(That's) one of the things you admire about this team. You look across the country and Texas does such a good job of focusing and playing each game. Cincinnati, I flip on the TV and they have the ability to stay really focused.
"The reason our kickoff unit and punt unit were they best they've ever been (in last week's victory against Georgia) is because of great attention to detail and great focus. If we can maintain that, we have a chance to win the next game."
NOTES, QUOTES
--MLB Brandon Spikes has been suspended for the first half of the Vanderbilt game after being caught on tape trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia freshman running back Washuan Ealey. "I understand what goes on in football, but there's no place for that," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "I spoke with him. That's not who he is. That's not who we are. He got caught up in the emotion. I love Brandon Spikes; our team does. That's not something (we condone). We'll move on. He has our full support."
--K Caleb Sturgis earned Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the second time in the last three weeks. Sturgis kicked a career-best 56-yard field goal against Georgia and added a 44-yard field goal later in the game. The 56-yarder was the longest in the SEC this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads Vanderbilt 30-9-2 (last meeting, 2008, 42-14 Florida).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Florida abandoned the hurry-up "Banzai" offense against Georgia and had better success. The Gators gained close to 400 yards with no turnovers. Quarterback Tim Tebow said offensive coordinator Steve Addazio and quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler relayed plays in faster, helping him find his rhythm. "Coach Addazio did a great job of mixing up his play calling," Tebow said.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Florida's defense continues to get good pressure on the quarterback. The Gators are tied with Alabama and Ole Miss for the SEC lead in sacks with 23. With Vanderbilt backup quarterback Mackenzi Adams in the game, this could be another game in which Florida cashes in with some turnovers. The Gators recorded four interceptions last week against Georgia, including one that LB Brandon Spikes returned for a touchdown.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was frustrating we weren't putting up the numbers we're used to putting up, but we played real good on Saturday." -- Florida OL Mike Pouncey, on his team bouncing back against Georgia.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNELTHIS WEEK'S GAME: Vanderbilt at Florida, Nov. 7 -- Florida will look to extend its nation-best 18-game winning streak against a Vanderbilt team that will be without starting quarterback Larry Smith, who is done for the season with a torn hamstring. Backup QB Mackenzi Adams will get his first start of the season.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Florida will need to stop Vanderbilt freshman tailback Warren Norman on the ground and in kickoff returns. Norman has 593 yards and three touchdowns rushing and has also scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns. On offense, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will need to be wary of senior cornerback Myron Lewis in coverage. Lewis has three interceptions this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Tim Tebow -- Tebow appears to be in fine form after a four-touchdown (two rushing, two receiving) performance against Georgia. This could be a game in which Tebow is able to further pad his Heisman stats.
WR Riley Cooper -- Cooper is coming off a two-TD receiving performance against Georgia. For the season, Cooper had a team-high 474 yards receiving and five touchdown catches.
LB Ryan Stamper -- With MLB Brandon Spikes suspended for the first half, the Gators will turn to Stamper to man the middle. Stamper has been steady all season filling in for Spikes with a season-high 48 tackles this season.
DE Jermaine Cunningham -- Cunningham is coming off one of his better games, with four tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry against Georgia. Look for Cunningham to pressure Vanderbilt quarterback Mackenzi Adams.
ROSTER REPORT:
--RB Chris Rainey (shoulder) is questionable for Vanderbilt.
--RB Mike Gillislee (hamstring) is questionable for Vanderbilt.
--LB Brandon Hicks (hamstring) is questionable for Vanderbilt.
--DT Brandon Antwine (shoulder) is doubtful and might need surgery.
--SS Dorian Munroe returned to action against Georgia after missing the first seven games of the season with torn meniscus in his left knee.
Previous Report: 11/01/2009
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