'That's a huge game': Kentucky matchup is growing in importance for Florida

For 31 consecutive years, Kentucky football fans had to tune in yearly to see the Wildcats lose to the Florida Gators. From 1987-2017, UK lived in pure misery during this series. That even continued in the the early parts of Mark Stoops‘ tenure.

Kentucky took gut-wrenching losses in 2014, 2015, and 2017 before finally knocking off the Gators in 2018.

Kentucky blew a double-digit lead in 2019 and got handled by a very good Florida team in 2020, but the Cats have recorded consecutive victories in this series for the first time since 1976-77 with the last two wins being highlighted by non-offensive touchdowns in the third quarter.

That just happened. 👋 @JPaschalx | TD return @WallaceTrevin

📺 – @ESPN – https://t.co/071KUqeHQH | #ForTheTeam 😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/WhfQSBn4RF

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 3, 2021

PICK SIX @KeidronS!

📺 – @ESPN 📲 – https://t.co/G4ZTknMNuv pic.twitter.com/EFPdp7GkVO

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 11, 2022

Kentucky has now won 3 of the last 5 in this series and that has the attention of the Florida program. The Big Blue is consistently becoming one of the biggest games on the schedule for the Gators.

“That’s a huge game,” Florida center Kingsley Eguakun told KSR at SEC Media Days. “It’s a huge game every year — especially since they’ve gotten the better of us the past two years it means a lot. It would mean everything to go out there and beat them on their home turf.”

Imagine telling Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer during their tenures in Gainesville that a multi-year starter at Florida would think that getting a win in Lexington would classify as a big win for the Gators. Kentucky has come a long way and has taken advantage of a slipping Florida program over the last few years.

Back in December, Kentucky also won out in the transfer portal by landing Devin Leary while at one time being seen as the favorite for Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz. The latter would commit to Florida soon after Leary pledged to UK.

Billy Napier is entering a big year two and will face one of the toughest schedules in college football with a brand new quarterback and defensive coordinator. The Gators will need wins badly, and that Kentucky game on Sept. 30 will matter a lot to both programs.