Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5 SEC) enters the game one week after losing starting quarterback Larry Smith to a season-ending torn left hamstring, part of its seasonlong struggle with injuries. In all, 12 Commodores are out for the season or have missed a significant portion of it with injuries. Florida (8-0, 6-0) is coming off its SEC East-clinching win over Georgia, in which it got its struggling offense back on track. The Gators also have the advantage of depth while facing the only SEC team that does not have an open date this season and is playing 12 consecutive weeks. Florida was off Oct. 3.
No. 1 Florida vs. Vanderbilt, 7:15 p.m., ESPN2, 970-AM
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Vanderbilt quarterback Mackenzi Adams, left, has played in four games but thrown just 37 passes (21 completions) with no touchdowns. So look for Florida to pressure Adams early and often. Florida coach Urban Meyer said the Gators spent extra time this week on kickoff drills in preparation for freshman Warren Norman, who has returned three for touchdowns. Norman also is the Commodores' leading rusher at 593 yards (average 5.7 per carry). Despite its struggles, Vanderbilt has the SEC's third-best passing defense, so the Gators face a test in carrying over their offensive improvements made against Georgia.
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