Florida (3-3) vs Kentucky (3-3)
Game Info: Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7:45 pm (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida +1 / Kentucky -1 — Over/Under: 42.5
The Kentucky Wildcats and Florida Gators meet Saturday in week 8 college football action at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Here’s a Kentucky vs Florida Prediction. This article will include a Kentucky vs Florida Pick.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats beat Ole Miss, lost to Vanderbilt, and will play Auburn next. Kentucky has won 4 of its last 6 road games. Brock Vandagriff is completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 951 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Dane Key and Barion Brown have combined for 666 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has 10 receptions.
The Kentucky Wildcats ground game is averaging 153.3 yards per contest, and Sumo-Karngbaye leads the way with 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Kentucky is allowing 14.5 points and 251.5 yards per game. Jamon Dumas-Johnson leads the Kentucky Wildcats with 29 tackles, J.J. Weaver has 4 sacks and D’Eryk Jackson has 1 interception.
Florida Gators Betting Preview
The Florida Gators beat UCF, lost to Tennessee, and they play Georgia next. The Florida Gators have won 6 of their last 10 home games. DJ Lagway is completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 765 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Elijah Badger and Chimere Dike have combined for 729 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Eugene Wilson III has 18 receptions.
The Florida Gators ground game is averaging 141.8 yards per contest, and Montrell Johnson Jr. leads the way with 373 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Florida is allowing 24.2 points and 381.2 yards per game. Jordan Castell leads the Florida Gators with 30 tackles, Tyreak Sapp has 3.5 sacks and Shemar James has 1 interception.
Why the Florida Gators will win
- Kentucky has lost four of its last five October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Florida has won seven of its last eight October home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Florida has covered the spread in five of its last six games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Fourteen of Kentucky’s last 16 road games in October have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Florida’s last five games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida ranks T24th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (4.0).
- Florida ranks 96th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (167.7).
- Kentucky ranks T6th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (2.2).
- Kentucky ranks 6th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (5.7).
Kentucky vs Florida Prediction
The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a bad loss to Vanderbilt and that could have a carry-over effect. The Florida Gators have quietly turned their season around after beating Mississippi State, UCF, and then nearly upsetting Tennessee on the road. Florida should also have more stability at the quarterback position with Graham Mertz tearing his ACL. Instead of the constant QB switch, Lagway will see all of the reps and have a chance to gain a rhythm. Kentucky has only beaten Florida 5 times since 1980. Near pick ’em spot, I’ll roll with the Gators at home.