The No. 9 Florida Gators (-8) are heading north to face their SEC nemesis Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and you can witness the action live on ESPN.
Betting Preview: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators
Kentucky is a live dog here and is currently getting 8 points. The Gators are also receiving -340 moneyline odds while the Wildcats are +260. If one program can create a bunch of points early it would create a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
The Gators are 0-1-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 1.0 unit so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 0-2.
The Wildcats are up 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-0 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-0.
The Gators have gone 2-0 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any SEC competition yet. The Wildcats are 2-0 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Gators are hoping to stay unbeaten following a 45-0 win over UT Martin last week. the Gators completed 30-of-36 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Feleipe Franks went 25-for-27 for 270 yards and two touchdowns while Kyle Trask completed four-of-five for 40 yards and one touchdown. Lamical Perine (51 yards on 10 rushes, one TD) propelled the running attack in the win while Trevon Grimes (five receptions, 56 yards) and Van Jefferson (four catches, 94 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties.
Kentucky is coming off of a 38-17 win over Eastern Michigan. The team’s defensive secondary allowed the Eagles to air it out for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Arthur Jackson III had a good showing in the loss, posting 71 yards on five catches for Eastern Michigan. As a group, the Wildcats collectively completed 20-of-36 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Terry Wilson went 14-for-26 for 114 yards while Sawyer Smith was five-of-nine for 76 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Rose (82 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) and Kavosiey Smoke (92 yards on 11 carries, one TD) mounted the ground game in the win while Lynn Bowden Jr. (seven receptions, 54 yards, one TD) and Rose (four catches, 12 yards) led the receiving attack.
Florida has run the ball on 51.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Kentucky has a rush percentage of 55.7 percent. The Gators have rushed for 140.5 yards per game and have four scores via handoffs this year. The Wildcats are putting up 207.5 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
The Gators offense has averaged 283 yards through the air overall and has five passing TDs so far. The Wildcats have recorded 234 pass yards per outing and have four total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Florida appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 70.5 rush yards and 177 pass yards per game. The Kentucky defense has allowed 251.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 115.0 yards per game on the ground. The Gators are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.60 to opposing QBs, while the Wildcats have given up a 4.31 ANY/A.
Franks has been more productive than Wilson recently, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 11.04for the season and 9.00 over the last two games. Wilson’s ANY/A is 4.00 for the season and 7.13 over his past two outings.
When these two programs faced one another last year, Kentucky got the victory 27-16.
Florida Gators at Kentucky Wildcats Free Pick
SU Winner: Florida, ATS Winner: Florida, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The O/U for Florida’s last game was set at 59.5. The under cashed in the team’s 45-0 win over UT Martin.
- The Kentucky offense has lost three fumbles this season while Florida has let two get away.
- The Over/Under for Kentucky’s last match was set at 52. The over cashed in the 38-17 triumph over Eastern Michigan.
- The Gators offense has produced three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Wildcats have put up two such plays.
- The Florida defense has allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards, while Kentucky has given up zero such plays.
- The Florida offense has created two rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Kentucky has created five such run.
- The Gators defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Wildcats have given up one such run.
- The Florida defense has sacked opposing QBs 15 times this season. Kentucky has registered just six sacks.
