Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Kentucky is the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde. Which version will Florida Football get?

The Wildcats are 3-3 on the season, just like the Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Oct 12, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops runs onto the field before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops runs onto the field before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

For 31 years, Florida Football's annual contest against Kentucky was an afterthought. Some years were competitive, but even as recent as 2016, the Gators were still winning 45-7. But since 2018, the Gators are 2-4 against Kentucky on the field and have lost three straight games against the Wildcats.

The frustrating part of it all is that Kentucky is 50-32 during this stretch as a whole, one game better than the 49-33 record the Gators have had since the start of the 2018 season.

The extra frustrating part is trying to figure out which version of Kentucky is going to show up is like trying to figure out what a toddler will eat for dinner on a night-to-night basis.

Florida Football: Mystery Channel

Last year, Kentucky manhandled Florida en route to a 33-14 victory to move to 5-0 on the season. They closed the regular season 2-5 with losses to Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina.

In 2022, when Kentucky walked into The Swamp and pulled off the win, they ended the season with losses to Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Georgia.

Already this season, Kentucky has losses to South Carolina, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. The loss this year to the Gamecocks was awful as Kentucky got run off the field in a 31-6 rout, only for Kentucky to turn around and almost pull the upset of Georgia.  

So, while on paper, there are plenty of reasons to have faith Florida can win, and ESPN's FPI gives Florida 59.7%, there is also a reason why Vegas has Kentucky as a one-point favorite.

Thus, this Saturday could go in one of several different directions. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia just ran for 53 yards against Kentucky. Is Florida going to scheme up ways for DJ Lagway to run for 75+ yards? Kentucky RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye is averaging 4.4 yards in SEC play. Is Florida going to turn him into Ray Davis?

That's rhetorical but also symbolic of what is possible this week.

On paper, Florida has the more talented roster and should win this game by double digits.

In reality, no one knows for sure what is going to happen at 7:45 inside The Swamp.

feed

Home/Florida Gators Football