Number 22 ranked Florida will head up to Lexington to face Unranked Kentucky this at 12:00 PM ET this Saturday on ESPN. Can the Wildcats hop into the AP rankings with their first Power 5 win as home favorites this weekend? Keep reading for our Florida vs. Kentucky prediction.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
139 Florida Gators (+1.5) at 140 Kentucky Wildcats (-1.5); o/u 44
12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 30, 2023
Kroger Field
Florida vs Kentucky Public Betting Information
As of this writing, the public is split but favoring the Gators in this game. Our CFB Public Betting page shows that 60% of public bets are on Kentucky -1. Note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
Florida Gators Game Notes
Florida moved to 3-1 after defeating Charlotte at home, 22-7. The Gators weren’t really able to pull away from the 49ers, and they’ll look to come out sharper in the Bluegrass. UF is scoring 27.8 ppg, while passing for 247.8 yards per game, and rushing for 164.8 ypg.
Graham Mertz played well statistically versus Charlotte last weekend, passing for 151 yards and a score. The junior quarterback will need to bring his A-game to this contest, as UK presents much more of a test defensively. Mertz has thrown for 951 yards, with four touchdowns to one interception through four starts.
Kentucky Wildcats Game Notes
Kentucky is now 4-0 after taking down Vanderbilt, 45-28. The Wildcats opened conference play with a successful trip to Nashville, and they’ll now face their first ranked opponent of the season. UK is scoring 28.5 ppg, while passing for yards per game, and rushing for 130.8 ypg. Devin Leary delivered mixed results in his SEC debut, passing for 205 yards, with a touchdown to two interceptions. The former N.C. State QBs arrival has eased the loss of Will Levis, but he’s got to cut down on the turnovers if he wants the Wildcats to emerge as real threats within the conference. Leary has passed for 1,060 yards, with nine touchdowns to five interceptions thru four games.
Florida vs Kentucky Betting Trends
Florida is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Kentucky
The Gators are 22-3 SU in their last 25 games when playing Kentucky
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kentucky’s last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kentucky’s last 13 games
Florida vs Kentucky Betting Prediction
Can Florida come through as underdogs for the second time in conference play? They will have a shot if they can get to Devin Leary and force him to make decisions with the ball. Neither school has proven too much offensively, but this puts the Gators in a profitable position against a team they’ve dropped two straight too, and I believe they’ll be out to avoid a third straight defeat. If Graham Mertz holds his end, Florida will have a shot here as road underdogs.
Florida vs. Kentucky Prediction: Florida Gators ML