KSR Today: One Sleep Until Florida

Do you hear that? It’s the sweet sound and smell of fresh gator cooking in the Blue Lot outside of Kroger Field. The SEC matchup we’ve all been waiting for is finally here, as the Kentucky Wildcats are set to host the Florida Gators at Kroger Field on Saturday, kickoff scheduled for noon ET.

Ranked No. 22 in the nation, Florida is led by head coach Billy Napier, his squad off to a 3-1 start overall and 1-0 in SEC play. The Gators were embarrassed in the opener at No. 14 Utah 24-11, but have since rattled off three straight wins against McNeese, No. 11 Tennessee and Charlotte — the victory over the Volunteers obviously the biggest (and only) statement.

Florida averages 412.5 yards per contest, putting up 247.8 through the air and 164.8 on the ground while allowing 245.0 on defense. Quarterback Graham Mertz — a former Kentucky portal target — leads the offense with 951 yards and four scores through the air, while running back Trevor Etienne and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are the playmakers.

How is the matchup expected to unfold? Let our friends at FanDuel tell you.

Kentucky vs. Florida odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

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Kentucky holds firm as a 1.5-point favorite with the money line sitting at -114 in favor of the Wildcats. The point total is set at 44.5.

As far as individual player props are concerned, Devin Leary sits at 216.5 passing yards compared to 203.5 for Mertz. Barion Brown (48.5), Tayvion Robinson (44.5) and Dane Key (43.5) are split among receiving yards while Pearsall leads the Gators at 67.5. Ray Davis’ line is set at 79.5 rushing yards while Etienne sits at 60.5 yards.

Mark Stoops ready to take on the Gators

How do Coach Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats feel ahead of the matchup? It was a good week of practice and there is clear excitement inside the football facilities.

“Been a good week. I like the way our players have prepared. I think they’ve had a greater sense of urgency understanding the little things, the details that it takes to be successful,” Stoops said Thursday evening. “Guys are excited and it’s been a solid week.”

Kentucky at Vanderbilt recap video

Need your football itch taken care of this morning ahead of Cats vs. Gators? The UK video crew has you covered, releasing a behind-the-scenes look at Kentucky’s 45-28 victory in Nashville over the Vanderbilt Commodores.

SEC Nation is in town

SEC Network’s weekly, traveling pregame show, SEC Nation, is in town for the anticipated matchup. The show will be set up outside Kroger Field and the Joe Craft Football Training Facility by Gate 12, broadcast live from 10 a.m. to noon ET on Saturday.

Marty Smith will guest-host this week, joined by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow to preview Kentucky’s battle vs. Florida, along with the entire slate of SEC football games this weekend. Marty & McGee featuring Smith and Ryan McGee will take place in the same area from 9-10 a.m. ET ahead of SEC Nation.

To get you prepared for Saturday, fans are welcome to attend the Paul Finebaum Show on Friday from 3-7 p.m. ET. The stage is ready to go at Gate 12, fans allowed to park in the Blue Lot, entering from Alumni Drive.

KSR Game of the Week heads to Paris

Winning state championships in 1973, 1981 and 1982, the Paris Greyhounds were a juggernaut around the Commonwealth, a significant part of Kentucky high school football history. That’s why Paris High School has been chosen to host the Kroger KSR Game of the Week on Friday.

The Greyhounds are off to a perfect 5-0 start, averaging an impressive 40.4 points per game while allowing just 12.2 per contest for an average winning margin of 28.2. Julius Gregory (quarterback), Jayden Holman (running back), Jakari Ransom (wide receiver, defensive back), Elijah Webb (wide receiver, defensive back), Preston Cowan (linebacker) and Zian Webb (defensive tackle) are the playmakers.

They will be taking on the Bishop Brossart Mustangs, who sit at 2-3 on the year and average 20 points per contest while giving up 27. Keegan Gulley (quarterback), Cameron Mandel (running back), Luke Schroeder (wide receiver, linebacker) and Quinten Tischner (linebacker) are the playmakers, the defense ranked fourth in 1A with 13 sacks and fifth with seven picks.

That matchup kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET in Paris. We’ll see you there.

Other KHSAA football games to watch

• Johnson Central at No. 2 Corbin (5-0) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• Roncalli (IN) at No. 3 Male (4-1) – 7 p.m. ET
• No. 5 Covington Catholic (6-0) at Grant County – 7 p.m. ET
• Fort Knox at No. 6 Lexington Christian Academy (5-1) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 7 Louisville Trinity (3-3) at St. Xavier (OH) – 7 p.m. ET
• No. 8 Christian Academy-Louisville (5-1) at LaRue County – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 9 St. Xavier (3-2) at Ryle – 7 p.m. ET
• Rowan County at No. 10 Ashland Blazer (6-0) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• Todd County Central at No. 11 Owensboro Catholic (6-0) – 7 p.m. ET
• No. 12 Highlands (5-1) at Dixie Heights – 7 p.m. ET