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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 09-20-2017, 02:58 PM:

Kentucky is no longer terrible

"This is a totally different Kentucky football team," UF coach Jim McElwain said.

McElwain went on to say the Wildcats are playing as well as anybody in the SEC. That's a bit much, but Kentucky is one of 26 teams off to a 3-0 start. The Wildcats are coming off a nice 23-13 road win over South Carolina and have won 10 of 13 regular-season games (including Mississippi State and Louisville). Kentucky isn't a powerhouse, but it's not a pushover, either.

Teams can't run on Kentucky

Former FSU assistant Mark Stoops' defense is giving up 2.2 yards per rush (No. 3 in the country). It's hard to see a bad Gators run game (No. 111 nationally at 3.2 yards per attempt) getting on track against a competent defense. UF's offense, will likely depend on QB Feleipe Franks, who will be facing an experienced secondary in the first true road start of his career. Speaking of which...

Kroger Field will be intense

It's not just the first sellout in two years and a prime-time kickoff. Kentucky will honor its athletics hall of fame inductees, including Randall Cobb, which adds an extra jolt. And the Wildcats will be playing for their first 2-0 SEC start since 1977. All of that adds up to a tough road atmosphere for a UF team that could be caught in a post-Tennessee hangover.

Florida's defense is good but not great

It wore down against Tennessee because its offense couldn't stay on the field and its depth was lacking from suspensions — which remains a problem with nine Gators still sidelined. Kentucky doesn't have a running back as powerful as John Kelly, but Benny Snell has 125 carries and 615 yards in his last five SEC games, and QB Stephen Johnson doesn't make a lot of mistakes (seven interceptions in his last 15 games). Maybe that's enough to keep UF's defense on the field and, eventually, crack the game open.

It has to happen eventually

There's a reason only three Division I-A teams have ever had more consecutive wins in an annual series than UF over Kentucky: It's really, really hard to do. Lucky bounces even out. Injuries pile up. The streak can become a chore for the winner and a rallying point for the loser.

"That's probably their Super Bowl," UF receiver Freddie Swain said. "If I lost to a team that long, I'd try to win, too." This might be the year it finally happens.

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[ 09-20-2017, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]