Recapping the Florida Gators’ last five meetings with the Vanderbilt Commodores

UF and Vandy have a long history against each other in the SEC East Division, with Florida dominating the series, including the last 5 games

Seeking to win their fourth-straight game and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive, the Florida Gators, who are ranked No. 5 in the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA TODAY Sports, will square off with Derrick Mason’s Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday on ESPN.

First meeting in 1945, this series has been a one-sided one, with the Gators owning a 41-10-2 edge, including six consecutive victories.

With both programs residing in the Southeastern Conference East Division, Florida and Vanderbilt clash on an annual basis.

Given this familiarity, let us look at the last five renditions.

Here’s what Florida needs to do defensively against Vandy

Florida Gators face the Vanderbilt Commodores in what should be a tune-up game. Here are a few things the team can work on this Saturday.

A game against a winless Vanderbilt team may be just what the doctor ordered for Florida’s beleaguered defense. The unit showed signs of improvement in wins over Missouri and Georgia, but last week against Feleipe Franks and Arkansas, it gave up a handful of big plays.

UF has a good tuneup game this week against a Commodores team that doesn’t pose much of an offensive threat. But if there’s one thing the Gators have shown this year, it’s that they will allow inferior teams to score enough points to keep games competitive.

Here’s what Florida needs to do defensively on Saturday to ensure this game doesn’t get closer than it should.

Vandy shouldn’t cause trouble but Florida still needs to execute on offense

The Florida Gators are heavy favorites to win their road game vs the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, but no win is certain; here’s 3 keys

Florida’s offense has been unstoppable to this point of the season, regardless of the quality of its opponent.

Against an 0-6 Vanderbilt team that doesn’t do much of anything right, especially on defense, it’s hard to imagine that offensive success won’t continue.

But no game is a guarantee, especially in the SEC, and even if this game will in all likelihood be a blowout, there are still a few areas UF should focus on improving offensively.

Here’s what Florida needs to see from its offense on Saturday.

Friday betting odds for Florida at Vanderbilt, per BetMGM

BetMGM’s latest line has UF favored by more than four touchdowns this weekend over winless SEC foe Vandy. Look for Kyle Trask’s big game.

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We are just over 24 hours from kickoff in Nashville, Tenn., where the Florida Gators will battle the Vanderbilt Commodores on the grassy gridiron for Week 9 of the Southeastern Conference’s 2020 football schedule.

Florida has held a massive edge in the eyes of the oddsmakers this week that wavered very little. The Gators began the week with a 30.5-point and an over/under of 68.5.

Today, BetMGM oddsmakers hold steady from yesterday with the Gators a 31.5-point favorite, while the over/under dropped a point to 67.5 — only a one-point difference in both numbers from Monday.

The game will kick off at 12 p.m. EST in Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, can be live-streamed on the ESPN app and can be heard on the Gators Radio Network.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR BETMGM ODDS HERE

2020 Florida Football Schedule

9/26 at Ole Miss (Won, 51-35)

10/3 vs. South Carolina (Won, 38-24)

10/10 at No. 7 Texas A&M (Lost, 41-38)

10/31 vs. Missouri (Won, 41-17)

11/7 vs. No. 5 Georgia (Won 44-28)

11/14 vs. Arkansas (Won 63-35)

11/21 at Vanderbilt

11/28 vs. Kentucky

12/5 at Tennessee

12/12 vs. LSU

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Florida will easily beat Vanderbilt. Here are five reasons why you should watch anyways

Florida Gators vs Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville on Saturday doesn’t offer a huge challenge but there are still many points of interest.

Against Arkansas last week, one of the stronger teams from the middle of the SEC standings, the Gators put up 63 points in an 18-point win. Imagine what they might do to an 0-6 Vanderbilt team on Saturday isn’t for the faint of heart.

Florida needs to win just three of its remaining four games to clinch an SEC East title and a spot in the SEC Championship Game, and it’s hard to imagine the Commodores will be able to stand in the way of that.

Last year, UF beat Vandy 56-0 in The Swamp. This Vanderbilt team seems to have regressed from last year, and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to keep this one competitive, even playing at home.

Still, the game presents an opportunity to evaluate players down the depth chart and tune-up before the final stretch of the regular season. Here’s what fans should be keeping an eye out for on Saturday.

Thursday betting odds for Florida at Vanderbilt, per BetMGM

According to BetMGM, the Florida Gators hold a massive edge heading into Saturday’s college football game with the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Behind six touchdown passes from star redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Trask, five of which came in the first half, the Florida Gators raced past Feleipe Franks and the Arkansas Razorbacks, 63-35, on November 14 to improve to 5-1 and maintain their No. 5 ranking in the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Just two days away from taking to the field again, which will come at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville against Derrick Mason’s Commodores, the Gators’ betting odds also held steady, with BetMGM listing Dan Mullen’s squad as a 31.5-point favorite.

The over/under has dropped a notch to 67.5.

Kicking off at 12 p.m. EST, this game will be available on ESPN, including the option to live stream on the network’s app, and can be heard on the Gator Radio Network.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR BETMGM ODDS HERE

2020 Florida Football Schedule

9/26 at Ole Miss (Won, 51-35)

10/3 vs. South Carolina (Won, 38-24)

10/10 at No. 7 Texas A&M (Lost, 41-38)

10/31 vs. Missouri (Won, 41-17)

11/7 vs. No. 5 Georgia (Won 44-28)

11/14 vs. Arkansas (Won 63-35)

11/21 at Vanderbilt

11/28 vs. Kentucky

12/5 at Tennessee

12/12 vs. LSU

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Wednesday betting odds for Florida at Vanderbilt, per BetMGM

Florida Gators football will face Vanderbilt this weekend, with the Orange and Blue still heavy favorites despite the odds remaining the same

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The midweek doldrums have arrived as the Gator Nation awaits game time on Saturday to see their beloved boys in the Orange and Blue duke it out on the gridiron with the Vanderbilt Commodores.

As doldrums are wont to be, not much has changed since yesterday — both from a team status and a betting perspective — though that’s not necessarily a bad thing given how strongly favored Florida is.

BetMGM oddsmakers hold steady with the Gators as a 31.5-point favorite and the over/under also remains at 68.5 today.

The game will kick off at 12 p.m. EST in Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, can be live-streamed on the ESPN app and can be heard on the Gators Radio Network.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR BETMGM ODDS HERE

2020 Florida Football Schedule

9/26 at Ole Miss (Won, 51-35)

10/3 vs. South Carolina (Won, 38-24)

10/10 at No. 7 Texas A&M (Lost, 41-38)

10/31 vs. Missouri (Won, 41-17)

11/7 vs. No. 5 Georgia (Won 44-28)

11/14 vs. Arkansas (Won 63-35)

11/21 at Vanderbilt

11/28 vs. Kentucky

12/5 at Tennessee

12/12 vs. LSU

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Monday betting odds for Florida at Vanderbilt, per BetMGM

The opening lines on the Gators vs Commodores football game this weekend favor Florida heavily and expects a high-scoring affair.

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The fifth-ranked Florida Gators are coming off a huge victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend, putting up 63 points en route to one of the most impressive offensive outbursts seen at The Swamp in recent memory.

Coming up next are the Vanderbilt Commodores, a perennial doormat in the Southeastern Conference and this year is no exception. The ‘Dores are currently 0-6 and are every bit as bad as their record implies — at least in comparison to their SEC peers.

If you enjoyed Kyle Trasks‘ performance this past Saturday, you will definitely want to tune into this game, as the Gators could hang some very ugly crooked numbers on Vandy.

BetMGM oddsmakers currently list the Gators as a 30.5-point favorite and the over/under is set at 68.5 to start the week.

The game will kick off at 12 p.m. EST in Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, can be live-streamed on the ESPN app and can be heard on the Gators Radio Network.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR BETMGM ODDS HERE

2020 Florida Football Schedule

9/26 at Ole Miss (Won, 51-35)

10/3 vs. South Carolina (Won, 38-24)

10/10 at No. 7 Texas A&M (Lost, 41-38)

10/31 vs. Missouri (Won, 41-17)

11/7 vs. No. 5 Georgia (Won 44-28)

11/14 vs. Arkansas (Won 63-35)

11/21 at Vanderbilt

11/28 vs. Kentucky

12/5 at Tennessee

12/12 vs. LSU

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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SEC Roundup Week 8: A review of the abbreviated slate of games

Only three games were played after COVID-19 outbreaks caused the cancelation of four games. Here’s a look at the outcome for those games.

All 14 Southeastern Conference teams were scheduled to take the field on November 14, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) had other ideas, forcing the postponement of four games.

While only three games came to fruition, fans were still treated to some exciting, high-scoring action. As we at Gators Wire have done each week this season, here is a rundown of all the league’s happenings.

Team rankings are courtesy of the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Masters: John Augenstein authors a surge for the amateurs before a stumble

John Augenstein made a statement for the amateurs on Friday at the Augusta National.

Before arriving at Augusta National for the 84th Masters, John Augenstein had certainly done his homework. The 23-year-old, who returned this season for a fifth year at Vanderbilt, made five scouting trips to Augusta, Georgia.

Augenstein, of Owensboro, Kentucky, sought tips from Webb Simpson, with whom his caddie William Kane is a friend, and Justin Thomas, another Kentucky native. He practiced shots from every kind of non-flat lie you could find.

And early in the Masters, it showed.

At one point on Friday, Augenstein was 6 under and only two shots off the lead. He only made it through 12 holes of his first round on Thursday, and came back Friday morning to play the remaining six holes. Right out of the gate, he made eagle on No. 13.

MASTERSSecond-round tee times | Leaderboard | How to watch

Augenstein faced 215 yards to the green on No. 13 and choked a 4-iron. He caught it a little thin and watched it roll back to a collection area near the green, leaving an easy chip – which he holed.

“Obviously you never know you’re going to make it, but I felt pretty good about getting it up and down and just kind of came off right and caught the right edge and went in,” he said.

The Vandy star cruised home with pars for a 3-under 69 that set up Friday afternoon’s surge.

Augenstein rolled right into his second round. Starting on the 10th, he made three bogeys on the back nine. A bogey on No. 5 and a double-bogey on No. 7, however, provided a major setback. After one final birdie on No. 8, Augenstein signed for a 72.

Oh, what could have been. But also, what still might be.

Augenstein was still 1 under through 36 holes, and by mid-afternoon Friday, was the only one of the six amateurs under par. That had him inside the projected cutline.

Even after the completion of his first round, Augenstein was preparing for the golf course to become more and more difficult. And Augenstein has never shied away from difficult things. He is a player known for his toughness in a head-to-head format, which is exactly what got him to Augusta. He won five of six matches at the 2019 U.S. Amateur, losing only to Andy Ogletree.

“It’s going to be warm this afternoon and no rain for the next three days it looks like,” Augenstein said of Augusta National in the short break between his first two rounds. “So I would imagine it gets a little tougher each day. Pleased with how I played but left some out there but also made a couple.”

In preparing to play the Masters, Augenstein told Golfweek he didn’t really have a major revelation.

“It’s a big golf course that ideally, you kind of want to hit it as far as you can on most holes,” he said. “I think it bodes well for me, a pretty long player. Everybody is pretty long nowadays.

“In the fairway is obviously a premium at all times, being able to control the ball going into the greens is very important.”

Augenstein works with instructor Matt Killen, who has much experience preparing players for Augusta. For the past several months, the two have focused primarily on shot shaping. It’s something Augenstein loves to do.

“It’s just been good practice because I think it’s going to bode well for me when I’m there,” he told Golfweek before Masters week. “On top of all of that it is golf and at the end of the day, I feel very prepared for what I’m getting ready to go into. But by the same token, it’s all about getting the ball in the hole in as little shots as possible.”

Yet to be determined? Whether Augenstein will get a chance to make a little more noise over the weekend.

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