GAINESVILLE -- Brandon Spikes showed up to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday without his signature beard. Perhaps it was a sign the Florida middle linebacker somehow has changed after his highly publicized attempt to gouge the eyes of a Georgia running back.

Although Spikes was visibly different, the Gators defense didn't change much despite not having its star All-American in the game. With Spikes serving a one-game suspension for his unsportsmanlike behavior, the defense turned in one of its best performances of the season and No. 1 Florida defeated Vanderbilt 27-3. The win moved UF closer to the Southeastern Conference title game Dec. 5 at the Georgia Dome -- a trip it clinched last week.

An announced attendance of 90,694 learned just before kickoff Saturday who the Gators will play in the SEC championship game. Again, UF will meet SEC Western Division champion Alabama with a BCS bowl berth, and possibly a trip to the national championship game, at stake. Alabama defeated Louisiana State 24-15 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday to clinch the SEC West.

``We don't have to worry about [Alabama] for a few weeks,'' said Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who completed 15 of 20 attempts Saturday for 208 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score. ``We have a big game against South Carolina [next week], but I'm looking forward to it. [Alabama] is a great team, they're coached very well and it will be very exciting.''

Florida defeated Alabama 31-20 last season with a bruising fourth-quarter defense and a consistent effort from quarterback Tim Tebow. That recipe for success hasn't changed for Florida (9-0, 7-0 SEC), which won its 19th consecutive game dating to 2008. On Saturday, Florida held Vanderbilt to three points, which matched a season low for the SEC's No. 1 defense in points allowed.

``I think we're the No. 1 defense in America and if we're not, then I think we should be,'' Meyer said.

Florida, which was ranked second in the nation in total defense (236.63 ypg) before Saturday, held Vanderbilt, which was playing with backup quarterback Mackenzie Adams, to 199 yards. The Commodores (2-8, 0-6) reached the red zone once Saturday, settling for a 32-yard field goal by Ryan Fowler with 8:40 left in the third quarter.

Florida's smothering defense was led by Ryan Stamper, who moved from weak-side linebacker to middle linebacker this week when Florida coach Urban Meyer announced Wednesday that Spikes, UF's embattled team captain, would miss all of Saturday's game. Initially, Meyer suspended Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game for his attempt to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey. At the apparent request of Spikes, the suspension was later lengthened.

Stamper, who finished with six tackles, set the tone for the Gators' defense at the end of the first quarter when he intercepted Adams at the UF 48 and returned it 18 yards. It was Stamper's second interception in his past two games. He was one of four linebackers to intercept passes in UF's 41-17 win over rival Georgia.

Florida's offense converted Stamper's interception into the Gators' first touchdown of the game. UF took a 10-0 lead with a calculated gamble on fourth-and-2 at the Vanderbilt 25 when running back Jeff Demps carried a perfectly timed option pitch from Tebow for a 25-yard touchdown run.

Demps was the Gators' leading rusher with 57 yards on seven carries. Florida's offense, which appeared to find its rhythm in the win against Georgia, struggled at times against Vanderbilt. Tebow was sacked four times for minus-30 yards and the Gators led 13-0 at halftime after reaching the red zone only once.

``I think our defense played tremendous, and I think our offense played OK,'' Meyer said. ``We're still lacking the big-play production that we need to get.''

Other than Demps' 25-yard touchdown run, the Gators' longest play from scrimmage Saturday was a late 64-yard pass play from Tebow to tight end Aaron Hernandez, who led the Gators with 120 yards on seven receptions. The junior is UF's leading receiver, with 43 receptions through nine games.

Tebow appeared to receive a little luck on his only touchdown throw of the game. With 9:22 left, an 8-yard throw sailed the through the hands of receiver Riley Cooper in the end zone but landed right in the arms of receiver David Nelson, who was positioned behind the initial play. It was the starting receiver's first touchdown reception of the season.

Florida possessed the ball for more than seven minutes on its second drive of the game but had to settle for a field goal when the drive stalled at the Vanderbilt 10. Meyer stomped his foot in disgust after Tebow was stopped for no gain on third-and-2.