Florida (3-2, 1-1 SEC) is set to face off against Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-2 SEC) inside the Swamp at 4:00 PM. Week six marks the 57th meeting between Florida and Vanderbilt including the 27th matchup in Gainesville. The Gators are 21-1 against the Commodores in Gainesville dating back to 1960 including an active-four game streak. Vanderbilt’s lone wins in Gainesville came in the first-ever meeting in 1945 (VU 7, UF 0) and in 2013 (VU 34, UF 17). Florida is 30-2 overall against Vanderbilt since 1989. UF has outscored VU by 19.6 PPG in that span (1,111-485).
Gator Country provides you with a scouting report on the Vanderbilt Commadores ahead of their week six matchup with Florida.
VANDY’S OFFENSE
Vanderbilt ranks 55th in the FBS in scoring offense, averaging 31.3 points per game. Against P5 opponents, Vandy is averaging 23 points per game. The Commodores rank 83rd in total offense, averaging 371.5 yards per game.
Vanderbilt has not scored in The Swamp in its last two visits (combined 98-0). The Dores last scored in Gainesville in 2017
PREPARING FOR TWO QUARTERBACKS
Florida is preparing for two Vanderbilt quarterbacks, AJ Swann and Ken Seals.
While Swann entered the season as the surefire starter, he’s completed just 53.8% of his passes while tossing seven interceptions in Vanderbilt’s first four games. Swann’s turnover worthy play rate sits at 13.16%, according to SEC Stat Cat.
Ken Seals made his first start of the 2023 season in week five against Missouri, where completing 27 of his 42 passes (64.3%) for 355 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
“These two quarterbacks are very similar to some degree in terms of skill set, level of athleticism and who they are as passers. They both have similar experience,” Napier said on the Vanderbilt quarterbacks.
Vanderbilt has found most of their offensive success through the air, averaging 274.5 passing yards per game, ranking 37th in the FBS.
WILL SHEPPARD
Regardless of who’s playing quarterback for Vanderbilt, the receiver to watch is senior Will Sheppard, who has totaled 16 touchdowns in his last 18 games. In six games in 2023, Sheppard’s combined for 443 yards and seven touchdowns. Sheppard’s offensive grade of 72.3 ranks 5th on Vanderbilt’s offense, according to Pro Football Focus. Sheppard’s passing grade of 74.3 ranks 1st on the Commodores offense among players with 50+ snaps.
Sheppard works mostly in the middle of the field, as 20 of his 32 catches on the season have come between the hashes, all of which were targets between 0-19 yards. Sheppard’s average depth of target sits at 12.75, the 5th highest in the SEC. Vanderbilt has targeted Sheppard 56 times, the most in the SEC. However, Sheppard has only come down with 32 receptions, leading the Mandeville, LA native to a catch percentage of just 57.1%, the second lowest in the SEC amongst eligible receivers.
Sheppard has had an issue with catching the football this season, totaling 8 drops according to SEC Stat Cat, the most in the SEC.
The 6-3, 198-pound receiver will run the slant often against the Gators.
VANDY’S OFFENSIVE LINE
Vanderbilt’s offensive line has allowed 11 sacks in 2022, leading to a pass block grade of 58.1 which ranks 95th in pass block, according to PFF. Vanderbilt has done a much better job of protecting their QBs as of late, allowing just one sack over their last two games. Vanderbilt’s run blocking ranks 61st in the FBS, posting a grade of 62.7.
RUNNING BACK DUO
Vanderbilt will primarily use two running backs against Florida, Patrick Smith and Cedrick Alexander. The duo has combined for 418 yards and five touchdowns while both are averaging over 4.1 yards per carry.
Patrick Smith has been tough to bring down in this season, holding a broken tackle rate of 35.71%, which ranks 6th in the SEC amongst eligible running backs. Smith is averaging 3.43 yards after contact, which ranks 10th in the SEC.
VANDY’S DEFENSE
Vanderbilt’s defense has not ranked particularly well in any category through six games of the 2023 season. The Commodores rank 109th in passing yards allowed, 119th in third down defense, 83rd in rushing defense, and T-111th in scoring defense, allowing 33.3 points per game to date.
The Commodores have missed 58 tackles through six games, including a combined 33 missed tackles against their three P5 opponents.
Vanderbilt has not been very effective creating pressure, totaling ten sacks on the season while ranking 98th in pressure, according to PFF. LB CJ Taylor leads the Commodores and sacks with three while holding a team high pressure grade of 82.4.
Safety De’Rickey Wright ranks as Vanderbilt’s top defensive player, posting a coverage grade of 83.3 while allowing 11 receptions for 55 yards on 16 targets, including two interceptions.
Florida shouldn’t have an issue moving the football on Saturday evening. As long as Napier can keep Vanderbilt guessing defensively, the Gators’ offense should cruise.
The Gators have totaled 445-plus yards against Vanderbilt while scoring 24-plus points in six-straight meetings.