How Kentucky Beats Florida

Kentucky will take on Florida in this season’s first installment of the “Game of the Year” which will be followed by multiple other contests that will take on the same description. The Gators are under new leadership and have the hottest quarterback in the nation according to the national media. So, do the Cats actually have a chance in the Swamp? Let’s get into this by taking a look at goals for all three phases. 

OFFENSE

Utah took on the Gators a week ago in the Swamp. The then No. 7-ranked Utes managed to experience success in most offensive categories. In fact, Florida is listed last or close to last in the SEC after giving up 446 total yards including 230 on the ground. Utah also converted 62% on third down and did not allow a quarterback sack. The Gators are gettable, but the Cats have to be specific in their plan and execution. Florida has four absolute Dudes on all three levels of their defense. Safety Trey Dean III, OLB/Edge Brenton Cox Jr., defensive lineman Gervon Dexter, and linebacker Ventrell Miller. Sledding will be much tougher than against Miami (Ohio). Here are three goals for Rich Scangarello’s offense. 

Levis in the Heisman Race

Saturday might just be the game that Will Levis has been waiting for his entire life. The national stage will be on hand to watch the projected first-round pick go to work. There will be no Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the backfield. Thus, Levis will need to carry his team and pass for over 300 yards, throw for more than two touchdowns, and complete 65% of his passes for the Cats to win. That’s asking a lot. Or, is it for a first-round talent?  Regardless, the Big Blue Wall has to do a much better job at protecting the Franchise. A week-one to week-two offensive line jump is a must. 

IF Levis plays to this level and Kentucky can somehow pull this game off, his name will certainly be mentioned in the Heisman race. Again, the stage is set. How it will play out is yet to be seen. True freshmen receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown will get their first taste of SEC football on the road. So will Tayvion Robinson. I’d expect Scangarello to incorporate the tight ends more on Saturday. Utah did that regularly and with positive results. 

Exceed 100 Rush Yards

50-yards, 1.9-yards per carry. Let that sink in for a minute. Those numbers against Miami (Ohio) did not sustain the UK standard. I’m sorry, but it didn’t. I’m also fairly certain that the stats were highlighted and hotly discussed during running back and offensive line meetings this week. Even though the game plan will likely be all about throwing the football, the Cats have to keep the Gators remotely honest by rushing for over 100 yards. Utah rolled up 230 on the ground with a 5.9-yards per carry average. I don’t expect the Cats to reach that same total number, but an average north of 4.5-yards per rush is attainable. Florida safety Trey Dean III is the key when game planning the Gators. Him sneaking into the box to stop the run would actually be a positive for the Wildcats. If no run threat, Dean will play center field. He’s very good at that. 

Touchdowns in the Red Zone

This game will be won or lost in the Red Zone. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is nearly unstoppable on the goal line. The Gators were a perfect 3/3 against Utah while the visitors scored three touchdowns in six trips. Ball game. Kentucky struggled in the Red Zone touchdown department last week. The Wildcats can’t afford to settle for field goals and expect to win. A minimum of 75% RZ touchdown ratio is mandatory. 

DEFENSE

Hello, Anthony Richardson. Florida’s dynamic playmaker flashed in the opener and has the college football world turned upside down. The quarterback completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards. He also carried the football 11 times for 106 yards and 3 scores vs. Utah. The Cats have a serious challenge in front of them on Saturday. Florida is a much more physical offense under Napier. He brought a couple of tone-setters from Louisiana to join him in Gainesville. RB Montrell Johnson and guard O’Cyrus Torrence followed their head coach to Florida and understand his organizational demands. Let’s look deeper. 

Non-Richardson Rushers

As bad as I hate to accept defeat, Anthony Richardson is going to get his rush yards. He’s just too good to expect to stop completely. But, limiting other ball carriers from averaging 4.5-yards per carry would work wonders in the upset bid. 

Contain and Maintain 

Outside linebacker Jordan Wright is back. That’s a very good thing for the Cats. Now, Wright can join JJ Weaver on the edge in order to keep Richardson from gaining the corner on the ground. That’s the containment piece that will also be mandatory for defensive ends. The “Maintain” piece of the equation comes with the defensive line. Maintaining rush lanes and sustaining gap integrity will be obligatory in hopes to curtail Richardson and the Gators. Forcing Florida to beat the Cats through the passing game is critical. The more one-dimensional the Gators are the better. Staying disciplined and not over-pursuing the QB will be vital. Kentucky needs to get in Richardson’s face and stay there for sixty minutes. 

Be Like Mark

A Network talking head called UK soft. Enough said. That label calls for hands to be thrown in the locker room. Billy Napier has brought physicality back to the Florida program. The Cats need to match and supersede the Gators’ toughness factor by displaying the same fight that their head coach has on a daily basis. So, be like Mark. 

SPECIAL TEAMS 

Stay Special

Kentucky scored on a 100-yard kickoff return by Barion Brown. The third phase also contributed a blocked punt by JJ Weaver, had a solid return by Tayvion Robinson, kicked all 7 kickoffs into the end zone, and Matt Ruffolo was perfect on the night. Additionally, there were no alignment issues to make for an excellent showing. Kentucky needs more of that vs. Florida. Special teams are so important in games where the win/loss margin is razor-thin like this one. 

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? 

The truth of the matter is that Saturday’s game is simply one of twelve on the schedule. But, that’s not the vibe around the Cats and Gators. These two teams don’t like each other very much. Saturday’s winner could get a leg up in the East with Tennessee and Georgia still looming down the road. Kentucky needs to win this game but Kentucky doesn’t have to win this game. But, if dreams of Atlanta are to stay alive, winning in the Swamps would be a step in the right direction. 

Will Stoops get it done again in the Swamp? Will his record-setting 61^st victory come at the place that has produced more Ls than we’d all like to remember? A Kentucky win and Stoops’ 61^st would be poetic justice. 

Football state.