Florida Gators Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Ron Zook's first season at Florida has been like a roller coaster ride.

The 17th-ranked Gators, back on a high following last week's upset of Georgia, look to stay in the Southeastern Conference title race Saturday when they visit Vanderbilt.

While the Gators (6-3, 4-2 SEC East) suffered a disappointing loss at Mississippi and were blown out at home by Louisiana State, their SEC title hopes were renewed last week. The 20-13 victory pulled Florida within one game of Georgia in the East and the Gators now own the tiebreaker edge.

Rex Grossman, who like his team has endured an inconsistent year, is coming off a big performance. He completed a 36-of-46 passes for 339 yards and two touchdown passes, trying Shane Matthews' school record with his 15th career 300-yard game.

The Gators will be without top receiver Taylor Jacobs, who suffered an MCL injury in the first quarter last week. Kelvin Knight picked up the slack with nine receptions for 115 yards. He became the first Florida receiver other than Jacobs to have a 100-yard game this year.

The Gators have won 10 straight games over the Commodores to open a 24-9-2 lead in the all-time series, including a 14-1-1 edge in Gainesville. Last year, Florida blasted Vanderbilt, 71-13, in "The Swamp," recording its second-highest point total ever against an SEC opponent. Florida scored 73 against Kentucky in 1994.

Grossman completed 17-of-29 passes to 11 different receivers for 306 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half.

Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5) has struggled under first-year coach Bobby Johnson, posting only one victory over a Division I-A team and the Commodores had to rally to win that one. Two weeks ago, Vanderbilt scored late in the fourth quarter to get past Connecticut, 28-24.

The Commodores are coming off a 30-8 setback to Alabama, their 18th straight defeat to the Crimson Tide. Vanderbilt was outgained, 210-45, in the first half.

Jay Cutler completed just 7-of-15 passes for 116 yards, throwing a 10-yard TD pass to Dan Stricker in the fourth quarter.