If not now, then when?

Kentucky has been on the short end of one of the most lopsided series in all of college football with a staggering 28 consecutive defeats at the hand of SEC rival Florida and 34 losses to the Gators in their last 35 meetings.

The Wildcats’ last victory in the series was a 10-3 decision in Lexington back in 1986.

Only death and taxes have been more consistent.

But there’s a growing optimism among Wildcats faithful that this is the year their futility with the Gators mercifully comes to a close, and the schedule has something to do with it.

The Sept. 19 game at a renovated Commonwealth Stadium will be the SEC opener for both teams. The Gators, however, enter with a lot of major questions at both quarterback and along the offensive line. That means that it’s to Kentucky’s advantage to get Florida early before either quarterback Will Grier or Treon Harris really get their footing or an inexperienced offensive line begins to come together.

UK, on the other hand, returns 17 starters from last year’s team that came within a single overtime play of finally beating Florida before falling in overtime, 36-30, at The Swamp.

Among those new coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will count on are junior quarterback Patrick Towles, sophomore running Stanley “Boom” Williams and junior wide receiver Ryan Timmons.

Towles completed 225 of 393 attempts for 2,718 yards and 14 touchdowns, but must improve his 57 percent accuracy and cut down on his nine interceptions. Williams had a solid freshman year, totaling a team-best 486 yards and five scores, while Timmons paced the ‘Cats in both receptions (45) and receiving yards (536).

Kentucky did lose two NFL draft picks along the defensive line, and the team’s pass coverage is a major concern. The Wildcats gave up touchdowns in bunches at the end of last season. But Florida may not be poised to take advantage of the UK secondary unless its disjointed passing game comes together quickly under new coach Jim McElwain.

Florida also has to hope that All-SEC linebacker Antonio Morrison, who endured two offseason knee surgeries and isn’t participating in contact drills during camp, is ready to play. Morrison’s presence or absence as a veteran linebacker against a frenzied, up-tempo offense could be significant.

The Gators, of course, have no shortage of blue-chip talent and are always a dangerous bunch. They will have the added confidence that comes with knowing that not a single player on the roster was even a glimmer in their fathers’ eyes the last Kentucky won in the series.

But they’d best not be too confident and get caught looking a week down the road to the much-anticipated SEC East showdown in Gainesville with Tennessee.

These aren’t your Daddy’s Wildcats anymore.