Vanderbilt coach James Franklin talks with reporters during the Southeastern Conference football Media Days in Hoover, Ala., in this July 18, 2013.OTHER PICKSOregon 42, Stanford 21Baylor 36, Oklahoma 29FSU 45, Wake Forest 16North Carolina 28, Virginia 25Boston Coll. 49, N.M. State 22Maryland 31, Syracuse 28Duke 20, N.C. State 17Virginia Tech 17, Miami 10Notre Dame 24, Pittsburgh 13Louisville 33, UConn 14Wisconsin 27, BYU 26MTSU 38, Fla. International 15Oklahoma St. 52, Kansas 9Fresno State 35, Wyoming 20Arizona State 38, Utah 23UCF 29, Houston 24Texas Tech 34, Kansas St. 27
Vanderbilt hasn't won in the Swamp since 1945, but Saturday certainly presents one of its better opportunities.
These aren't Rod Dowhower's Commodores trying to slow Steve Spurrier's Gators but rather a pair of 4-4 teams hoping to stay in the middle of the SEC East. The Commodores had an open date last week while Florida was losing to Georgia, and they enter Saturday having won six of their last seven November games since a 26-21 loss in Gainesville two years ago.
"We were 4-4 at this same point last year," Commodores coach James Franklin said Wednesday, "so I do think there is some experience that comes with knowing that we've been able to finish strong the last couple years."
Florida's injury-depleted season added another victim Tuesday night when starting left tackle Tyler Moore fractured his elbow in a scooter accident. Moore began this season as his team's third-best tackle behind Chaz Green and D.J. Humphries, but Green is out for the year with a torn labrum and Humphries is sidelined with a knee sprain.
The Gators have been without quarterback Jeff Driskel, tailback Matt Jones and defensive menace Dominique Easley for several weeks.
"I always talk to our guys about how we don't make excuses or have regrets in our preparation of what we do," Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "It's unfortunate, but somebody else needs to step up and play productive football. The expectation level here doesn't change.
"In all these situations, I just feel for the player, because these guys put in so much effort over a 12-month period."
Pasquali's Pix:
Auburn at Tennessee: SEC teams this season have entered Neyland Stadium a whole lot healthier than they've left it. Tigers 27, Volunteers 24.
Vanderbilt at Florida: The Commodores would still have a good shot at a bowl even with a loss Saturday. Can't say the same about the Gators. Gators 20, Commodores 13.
Missouri at Kentucky: Mark Stoops could use some old Bob Stoops rosters to face this year's Tigers. Tigers 28, Wildcats 17.
Arkansas at Ole Miss: The Razorbacks still need one more victory to match last year's four-win debacle under John L. Smith. Rebels 41, Razorbacks 16.
Appalachian State at Georgia: The Bulldogs have an excellent chance to lower their league-worst 31.6 points allowed per game. Bulldogs 40, Mountaineers 13.
Wofford at UTC: Is Fill Finley any relation to Phil Fulmer? Mocs 27, Terriers 22.
Mississippi State at Texas A&M: This is the final home game for the Aggies, so is it the final home game for Johnny Manziel? Aggies 45, Bullies 18.
LSU at Alabama: The last three regular-season games between these two have been decided by 10 points. Crimson Tide 23, Tigers 20.
Last week:
Winners........................22
Injuries faked.................3
Pasquali is 209-41 overall (83.6 percent) this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.