Kentucky vs. Florida: National Media Predictions

Tomorrow is a huge opportunity for the Kentucky Football program to take a big step forward. Many in the Big Blue Nation believe the Cats can take down the No. 10 ranked Florida Gators, but what about the national media? Here’s a rundown of predictions for the game. (Warning: most are going with the Gators)

ESPN Football Power Index: Florida

ESPN’s Bill Connelly: Florida -8

I really want to believe in Kentucky. Mark Stoops’ building job has been fun to follow through the years, the Wildcats have the run game one expects from them, Wan’Dale Robinson is a welcome new addition to the skill corps, they make more big plays than they allow, their special-teams unit is pretty good … there seems like a lot to like.

They also beat Chattanooga and South Carolina by only a combined 11 points. Quarterback Will Levis’ passer rating has gone from 230.9 to 146.3 to 134.1 to 98.0 over four games. Early returns seem to be diminishing on offense, and now the best offense the Wildcats have faced, by far, comes to town. Florida has quickly earned the trust that Kentucky is going to lose, not only because the Gators nearly beat Alabama, but also because they followed that up with a sturdy performance (and easy win) against a Tennessee team that is better than some think. They’re third in offensive SP+, and while Kentucky will make some stops, I don’t think it will make nearly enough.

Pick: Florida -8

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee: Florida

Kroger Field will be hopping on Saturday night when the Gators roll into town, but they won’t get the kind of game that they’re expecting. The Wildcats offense has taken a significant step back over the last two games against Chattanooga and South Carolina, while the Gators defense has been on point since out-playing Alabama for the final three quarters of the 31-29 loss to the Tide two weeks ago. The evolution of Emory Jones will continue and the Gators will pull away in the second half to win by two or more touchdowns. Pick: Florida (-8.5)

CBS Sports Staff

Sporting News’ Bill Bender: Florida to win, Kentucky to cover

Kentucky is 4-0 and will look to beat the Gators in Lexington for the first time since 1986. The Gators are 1-2 ATS as a favorite this season, but this is the first single-digit spread.  Florida’s defense makes a difference late, and the Wildcats lose another heart-breaker at home. 

Pick: Florida wins 28-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

247 Sports’ Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer: Florida

Hummer: Kentucky +8 — The Gators are on upset alert this week. Kentucky has a defense capable of keeping Florida in check. Kentucky’s secondary is excellent and Emory Jones has thrown interceptions in three of his four starts this year. The question here is if Kentucky can score enough. I think the Wildcats can. Wan’Dale Robinson is the best playmaker on either of these teams, and if Will Levis is clean with the ball,, I can see a world in which Kentucky wins this one. I’m not bold enough to pick it. But I will take the Wildcats with the points. … Florida 24, Kentucky 21.

Crawford: Florida -8 — I was high on Kentucky coming into the season, but have not been impressed by what I’ve seen the past three games since an impressive opener from the Wildcats. Any SEC team with a pulse offensively would’ve beaten Kentucky last week given the Wildcats’ mistake-filled effort offensively. They’re going to test Florida’s grit up front, but the Gators have the better roster and Emory Jones is playing really well at quarterback. … Florida 28, Kentucky 17

Athlon Sports’ Antwan Staley: Florida

Kentucky did precisely what it was supposed to do, beat up inferior opponents in the month of September. However, October will bring new challenges starting against Florida at home.

Turnovers could be a big factor in this matchup with the two teams combining for 17 giveaways. Levis has been sloppy with his decision-making at times while the Wildcats ball security issues have them last (out of 130 teams) in FBS in both turnovers (11) and margin (-9).

The Gators have historically dominated this series but Saturday could be another close contest. Kentucky should be able to feed off of home-field advantage and have some success running the ball, but Florida’s more diverse offensive attack and pressure from its defensive front will likely be the difference as the Gators make it 17 wins in a row in Lexington.

Prediction: Florida 31, Kentucky 28

Sports Illustrated Staff

Ross Dellenger was the only SI staffer brave enough to pick the Cats. Go Ross Dellenger!

Stewart Mandel: Florida

Before the season, I picked the Wildcats to win this one. But Florida’s reimagined, run-first offense has been better than expected (even without QB Anthony Richardson, who returns this week), while Kentucky’s transfer-boosted offense, promising early on, has been underwhelming the last two weeks.

Florida 33, Kentucky 24
Pick: Florida -8.5

Bruce Feldman: Florida to win, Kentucky to cover

Mark Stoops has the second-best defense in the SEC. I think Kentucky will give Florida a bunch of problems, but the Wildcats, who have won three games by a touchdown or less the past three weeks, will come up just short against the most talented team they’ve faced thus far.

Florida 26, Kentucky 20
Pick: Kentucky +8.5

USA Today Staff

Time to shock the world.