Barion Brown

Kentucky's Barion Brown watches as his teammates run onto the field before a game against Georgia in Kroger Field.

 ERIC CRAWFORD

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Florida fans aren't happy.

Aren't happy their (3-3) team got blown out by Miami in the Gators' season opener. Aren't happy they're 1-2 in Southeastern Conference games. Aren't happy the Gators are underdogs, projected to lose a fourth-straight game to Kentucky.

Kentucky fans aren't happy. Aren't happy the Wildcats (3-3) got handled by South Carolina in Kroger Field. Aren't happy they've lost consecutive home games to Vanderbilt. Aren't happy the Wildcats rank last in the SEC in scoring.

By midnight Saturday, fans of either the Wildcats or Gators will have renewed hope for a winning season and a trip to a bowl game. And the fans of the losing team? Don't ask.

The Time: Saturday, 7:45 p.m.; Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida.

How to Watch/Listen: TV — SEC Network (Dave Neal, play by play; Aaron Murray, analyst; Marilyn Payne, sidelines); RADIO — UK Sports Network, 840 AM WHAS (Tom Leach, play by play; Jeff Piecoro, analyst; Dick Gabriel, sidelines).

The Line: Point Spread Kentucky favored by 1.5; Over under total points 42.

The Last Time: The Wildcats dominated the Gators, 33-14, at Kroger Field last season as UK halfback Ray Davis ran for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

The Series: Kentucky has won the last three and four of the last six, but the Gators lead the overall series, 53-21, on the strength of a 31-game winning streak that UK ended in 2018.

The Records: Both teams are 3-3. The Wildcats have defeated Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Ohio University with losses to Georgia, South Carolina and Vandy. Florida lost to Miami, Texas A&M and Tennessee but beat Samford, Mississippi State and UCF.

Player to Watch for Kentucky: UK quarterback Brock Vandagriff ranks 11th in the SEC in passing yards per game at 158.5. Vandagriff delivered three of his five TD passes in UK's opener against Southern Miss.

Player to Watch for Florida: With Graham Mertz out with a knee injury, the Gators rely on freshman DJ Lagway at quarterback. Although Lagway has thrown for 765 yards, 456 came against Samford, an FCS opponent. In five other games, Lagway has yet to pass for more than 98 yards. He has five touchdowns and four interceptions while splitting time with Mertz.

Sideline Storylines:

  • Kentucky ranks in the top 10 nationally in four defensive categories, including scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense.
  • Kentucky has out-rushed all six of its opponents
  • UK linebacker J.J. Weaver, a product of Moore High School in Louisville, has 20.5 sacks over his career, which ranks fourth in UK history.
  • UK defensive lineman Deone Walker was listed as the 30th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by CBS Sports this week. Walker has 20 tackles, including a pair for lost yardage, this season.
  • The Florida receiving trio of Elijah Badger, Chimere Dike and Eugene Wilson III all average better than 12 yards per catch.
  • Gators coach Billy Napier ranks second to Dave Aranda of Baylor at coacheshotseat.com. Napier, a former assistant to Nick Saban at Alabama, is 14-17 in less than three full seasons at Florida, losing 12 of 19 SEC games. SEC media insiders have speculated that Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin would get the first call if the Gators move on from Napier, whose buyout would be nearly $27 million.
  • This game is Homecoming for the Gators. Although Florida has struggled on the scoreboard, the Gators rank 10th in the nation and sixth in the SEC in attendance, averaging 90,050 fans per game. The game is listed as a sellout.

The Quote: Napier was asked about his tenuous future on the SEC teleconference this week:

"Yeah, I mean, I don't have any control over that. So, I think one of the most important things that we can do when put in these positions and having these great opportunities is focus on doing the best job you can do for your players and your staff."

The Pick: Florida 23, Kentucky 21.

Kentucky Football Coverage:

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