Let me start by saying something.

I like Vandy.

I like their academic emphasis. I like the fact that a small, private institution has found a way to be competitive in the extreme upper echelon of college football. I like their uniforms. I liked Jay Cutler, who in my opinion was the best SEC quarterback in his senior year. I like Bobby Johnson, a highly underrated coach who I think would be a very dangerous opponent at a “top-tier” university program like Tennessee or Auburn (God forbid.) I like their founder, who I respectfully refer to as “Corny V.”

Vanderbilt’s always a great story. They own upset victories over Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn over the past few seasons and have came terrifyingly close to defeating the Gators as recently as 2005 (remember the double-overtime 49-42 win in 2005? How about the gouge-your-eyes-out narrow 25-19 win in Florida’s championship season?) In 2007 the Gators rolled to a 49-22 victory, but obviously, 2 out of 3 have been way too close. And according to Urban Meyer, this is the best Vanderbilt team Florida has faced under his leadership.

Former and current players have always respected Vanderbilt. Go back to the ‘96 championship season and find the closest score on the Gators’ slate. Other than that loss to FSU which was so joyously avenged, Vandy was remembered as the toughest game of the year.

You want a pushover wallflower opponent for Homecoming? Corny V.’s kids would be happy to oblige. The ‘Dores would like to storm the dance, pee in the pineapple punch, punch you in the balls, take your girlfriend behind the gym for an unrespectable encounter and then impress her parents with their Cotillion-refined manners.

That’s Vanderbilt. Gritty, tough, even a bit nasty on the field. Perfect gentlemen (to the casual observer) in their street clothes.

But let there be no mistake, this Gator squad is playing the best football of their lives on both sides of the ball, not to mention special teams. If they maintain their level of play they are one of the greatest Gator squads of all time. Vanderbilt has some sharp teeth, but they’ll have to play the game of their lives to keep up with Florida. It pains me to say this, Corny, but brother, you’re going down.

Expectations:

1) First and foremost, I expect we’ll see the same level of intensity we saw against Georgia. I can’t put my finger on exactly how I can “feel” this, totally disassociated from all team activities except via television and internet peepholes, but many in Gator Nation sense that the Ole Miss wakeup call served its purpose and this team will not let up on anyone else this season. (Citadel, be afraid.) In any case, if the Gators come out with the laser-focus they’ve had in the last four games, this contest will not be close, and it bodes well for future games. And lest there be any confusion over the significance of beating Vanderbilt, a win in Nashville will secure an invitation to Atlanta.

2) Moody will pound the ball heavily in the second half. I love RB Coach Kenny Carter’s quote on E-Mood:

“He’s pound for pound one of the strongest people on our team so that brings another dimension to (the offense),” Carter said. “Toward the end of the game when people are worn down a little, he’s perfect for what you want for a team to run out the clock and manage some situations.”

LOL. Moody would probably start for a handful of Top 10 teams, and we’re using him to run out the clock. How would you feel playing against Florida, down a couple of of TDs late in the third quarter, and out trots a fresh Emmanuel Moody as a member of Florida’s “third string” (or is it fourth string?) to start pounding you into dust? Meyer’s offense is loaded.

3) Defensive lockdown. Brandon Spikes says that despite holding Georgia’s first team to a field goal and collecting 4 turnovers from Stafford and Moreno, the defense hasn’t played their best game yet. I happen to agree with him. As impressive as the defense has been at times, Florida has been allowing offenses to move the ball between the 20s. If I had to pick one weak area on this team it would be the safety position. By no means is this criticism representative of glaring problems, but clearly improvement can be had. Major Wright needs to move to strong safety and Will Hill needs to take over the free safety slot. I love Ahmad Black — he’s played well overall — and he will still be an important contributor on this team. But Will Hill needs to lead this secondary, hopefully as soon as next season. Ideally he’ll get extensive playing time in this game.

4) More option. Never thought I’d be saying this, but Vandy’s ball-hawking safeties and aggressive pass defense make for a natural opportunity to run an option-heavy offensive attack. Vandy doesn’t have the speed to compete with Florida’s backfield and based on Florida State’s inability to stop Georgia Tech’s triple option attack, I like the idea of attacking both of these opponents on the ground with our speedy backs. Florida should be able to win any way they please, but this might be the most productive way given the circumstances.

5) John Brantley. Fellas and ladies, I know you won’t want to hear this, but chances of Tebow’s return in 2009 are slim. Tebow has made it clear in several interviews over the past few months that he is a lean to the NFL. He hasn’t said so in as many words, but when he makes the statement “If I do return in 2009, it won’t be a disappointment,” you know he’s probably going to move on. Personally, I think it’d be a mistake, but we’ll save that discussion for another time. The point here is that we need to prepare for a dual-quarterback attack in 2009, ala Leak and Tebow of 2006. It will be Brantley starting and Newton complementing him with a Tebow-style short-yardage attack with a few passes here and there to keep defenses honest. It will be a powerful offense and there is no reason to think Florida won’t be competing for an SEC title with these two highly-touted QBs in the gun. But Brantley needs snaps. He has been very impressive in limited duty so far. It would be of great benefit to see Brantley play the majority of the 4th-quarter against Vandy. Mark my words, this kid is going to be good — very good. Remember, I picked Tebow as a Heisman contender before his first game in 2007… so disagree with my prognostications at your own risk!

6) More Demps, please. The frosh has been impressive on so many levels. He seems to be Florida’s go-to back despite Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey, and Emmanuel Moody all vying for that honor. Demps caught a 10-yard pass from Tebow on a crossing route against Kentucky and turned it into a 68-yard touchdown. Like Percy Harvin, Demps needs the ball in his hands.

7) The Kill Shot. I want this game to be over by the end of the third quarter. Step on their throats, boys, and don’t let up. Not for a second. The world is watching.