Florida Gators make game time decision on Kaiir Elam vs. Kentucky

After missing last week’s game against Tennessee with a knee sprain, Florida cornerback Elam will miss the Gators game in Lexington against Kentucky this weekend as well. 

Kaiir Elam is not dressed out, won't play against Kentucky.

— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) October 2, 2021

Florida head coach Dan Mullen had previously said fans would likely see the junior on the field Saturday. 

“Yeah so hopefully Kaiir should be back this [week against Kentucky as] well,” Mullen said Sunday, according to AllGators’ Demetrius Harvey. “He’ll be, what do they say, like, probable this week. And talking to him, hoping he’s probable for this coming weekend.”

Unfortunately, that hope does not appear to be coming to fruition.

Elam started in Florida’s first three games against FAU, USF and Alabama and logged eight tackles, three pass break ups and an interception. He has a total of 20 starts under his belt for Florida, and he very well could go in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Florida lacks depth in the secondary, as is evidenced by touchdown passes of 47 and 75 yards by the Volunteers last weekend in Elam’s absence. Freshman Jason Marshall started for Elam. The defense obviously settled into place as Tenneseee failed to score for the remainder of the game, but the Gators may not be as lucky in Lexington.

The Gators will try to keep Nebraska transfer Wan’Dale Robinson in check, as he is certainly a big-play receiver. Robinson has 25 receptions for 402 yards, an average of 16.4 yards per catch.

Gators preparing for a stout Kentucky defense

The Gators offense, which will see the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson from a hamstring injury, will face a Kentucky defense allowing 260 total yards per game, which is second in the SEC only behind Georgia. 

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has created a consistently decent program during his nine-year tenure, one that certainly should not be overlooked. Kentucky is 4-0, and while they have played multiple close games, including a 16-10 victory over South Carolina last weekend, the matchup between these two SEC East rivals has been close in recent years. 

While Florida has won every game against the Wildcats with the exception of their 2018 game, five of the last seven contests have been competitive games. Florida leads the series all-time 53-18.

As of Friday afternoon, Florida is an 7 1/2-point favorite. The game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.