Kentucky vs. Florida: Preview, Spread, How To Watch, and More

DrewFranklinKSR

There’s a big one coming up in Lexington when the Kentucky Wildcats (4-0, 1-0) host the Florida Gators (3-1, 1-0) today at noon in Kroger Field. The home team is seeking a third straight victory in the long-running series, and both teams are playing for a second SEC win and to stay unbeaten in league play in 2023.

First a message from one of our game day partners:

Eckrich is proud to present the $1 Million Challenge for Teachers! This 2023 college football season Eckrich, in partnership with Extra Yard for Teachers and Kroger, will invite a local teacher (and true hero) onto the field at the Kentucky vs. Alabama game on November 11^th.

The selected teacher, randomly selected from a list of nominations, will have a chance to throw a football through a target to win up to $1 million dollars in donations to fund local classroom projects and resources in their school and community. Nominate a teacher here for a chance to throw! Make sure to nominate your teacher by October 26^th.

Let’s get you ready for the 74th running of Kentucky-Florida:

How To Watch/Listen

Noon | Saturday, September 30

TV: ESPN

Play-by-play: Joe Tessitore
Analysis: Jesse Palmer
Sideline: Katie George

Streaming: WatchESPN

Radio: UK Sports Network | Statewide Affiliate Map

Play-by-play, Tom Leach
Analysis, Jeff Piecoro
Sideline, Dick Gabriel

Satellite Radio: Sirius 109 or 190

Join The Discussion (R.I.P. KSR Live Blog)

For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.

If you still want to interact with the KSR crew during the game, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard.

Schedules To Date

KENTUCKY (4-0, 1-0)			No. 22 FLORIDA (3-1, 1-0)
vs Ball State	W	44-14	@ (14) Utah	L	24-11
vs EKU	W	28-17	vs McNeese State	W	49-7
vs Akron	W	35-3	vs (11) Tennessee	W	29-16
@ Vanderbilt	W	45-28	vs Charlotte	W	22-7
vs (22) Florida			@ Kentucky

Kentucky and Florida Depth Charts

KENTUCKY

FLORIDA

Injury Report

Kentucky

— Starting guard Kenneth Horsey is OUT.

— Josh Kattus is BACK.

— It also appears that DL Tre’vonn Rybka will not play vs. Florida.

Out for the season
OL – Ben Christman (RS So.)
OL – Nik Hall (RS Fr.)
DB – Jaremiah Anglin (Fr.)

Florida

— Starting center Kingsley Eguakun will return to the Gators’ starting lineup against Kentucky after missing three games

— Wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is also due back in the starting lineup from an injury suffered versus Tennessee

— Tight ends Tony Livingston and Dante Zanders are out

— Linebacker Ja’Markis Weston is also out

Pregame Storylines

Seeking 3 In A Row

As we mentioned up top, Kentucky is playing to win its third straight game against Florida, and if UK can defend its home field, the three-game win streak will be the school’s first against the Gators since 1949-51. That’s what this rivalry needs, a new streak. Florida’s 31-gamer is ancient history.

Transfer Portal QBs

As the legend goes, Kentucky picked NC State’s Devin Leary over Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz after both QBs visited Lexington and expressed interest in playing for Kentucky out of the transfer portal. Mertz then landed at Florida when Kentucky took Leary, and today the two portal QBs will play head-to-head in the SEC East rivalry game.

It’s unfair to Leary and Mertz to make this game about them and their backstories, but it’s an angle to keep in mind if we see a clear difference in their performances and abilities.

Kentucky Seeking A Consistent Run Game

With four games in the past, Kentucky is still searching for a steady run game to stay in front of the chains and set up Leary’s arm. Florida’s top-25 defense against the rush isn’t the ideal opponent given the circumstances, but it is the Gators that stand in the way of getting the ground game going.

Running hasn’t been bad, though. Kentucky’s four running backs still average over six yards per carry, thanks to explosiveness. It’s the zero and one-yard runs on first and second downs that need to improve.

Gamble

Point Spread: Kentucky -1.5
Over/Under: 44

Final Coaches Comments of the Week

Mark Stoops:

Billy Napier:

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3 Things 2 Watch

3 Things 2 Watch 4: Kentucky vs. Florida

– Make Graham Mertz Throw
– Explosive Offense
– Avoid Catastrophic Mistakes

MORE: https://t.co/iQV8CmF3Tl pic.twitter.com/sh3JTJi39G
— KSR (@KSRonX) September 30, 2023