Florida is 3-1 and ranked No. 10 as it braces for a pivotal game at Kentucky on Saturday night (6 p.m., ESPN). The Wildcats will be a stern test for the Gators, who will be playing in their first true road environment of the season. Florida’s veterans also know how tough it is to win at Kroger Field, having been a part of the 2019 trip that saw the Gators need 4th-quarter heroics from then backup quarterback Kyle Trask to escape with a win.

Still, Florida enters the game about where most analysts and program outsiders figured they would be: with 3 wins, a loss to Alabama and full control of their fate in the SEC East as the calendar moves to October.

It’s the way Florida has gotten to 3-1 that has been somewhat surprising.

For one, we knew entering the season that the Gators had a deep, versatile running back room. We didn’t know about the offensive line. Now we do — and the unit has been one of the best in college football, paving the way for a rushing offense that ranks No. 3 nationally in yards per game, second in success rate and No. 1 in yards per rush attempt.

Secondly, we expected Florida would use two quarterbacks. What we didn’t know was just how talented backup Anthony Richardson was. Sure, there were whispers that he moved the offense better than starter Emory Jones throughout fall camp. We just didn’t know he’d look like a baby Cam Newton out there. Jones’ play has improved steadily as well, giving the Gators two terrific options at the most important position in football.

Finally, Florida’s revamped defensive line has been good, but there’s room for improvement. The tackle play is much better, led by Penn State transfer Antonio Valentino, who has been a revelation, and a vastly improved Gervon Dexter, who added muscle and is leaner and quicker as a second year. Still, there’s an odd disparity between Florida’s national sack ranking (5th) and their havoc ranking (31st). Florida is getting sacks, but these numbers suggest the Gators aren’t consistently creating problems in the opponent’s backfield.

As for individual performances, there are a handful of Gators who could do more as the season moves to its second month. Here is a look at 5 players Florida could use increased production from as soon as this weekend’s trip to Lexington.

Jacob Copeland, WR

My pick for Florida’s breakout player of the season, Copeland was marvelous against USF and very good against Alabama, where he drew 2 pass interference penalties that helped extend Florida drives.

His 10 receptions through 3 games mean he’s almost halfway to his entire 2020 haul of 23 receptions — but the Gators have to feel he has more to offer than 2.5 receptions per game and the occasional touchdown. His red-zone fumble last week against Tennessee came on an effort play, which makes it less worrisome, but ball security has been an issue for Florida thus far, and every possession matters.

Kentucky is just an average pass defense, meaning Copeland should have a chance to break out — finally — this weekend.

Khris Bogle, Edge

Bogle, a high 4-star defensive end who picked Florida over Alabama, has shown flashes of brilliance since he first stepped on campus.

This year, he has a sack (against FAU) and a pair of pressures (vs. Alabama). He also has games where he disappears entirely (Tennessee). Florida has All-American caliber talent on the edge in senior Zachary Carter and junior Brenton Cox. But the dreams of a 4- to 5-man wrecking crew on the edge were contingent on a big jump from Bogle and thus far, the junior has only shown he can be productive in spurts.

Ty’Ron Hopper, LB

Long a fan favorite due to his very high recruiting ranking and reports that he’s a terror in practice, Hopper has played more snaps as a redshirt sophomore but has yet to make the big impact fans expected.

Hopper has decent numbers with 16 tackles, many of which have come since senior captain Ventrell Miller was lost for the season, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. What Hopper hasn’t done yet is show his practice propensity to make the big hit or create havoc as a blitzer. Given Todd Grantham’s scheme often relies on blitzing linebackers to generate extra pressure, more is needed from Hopper.

He had 7 tackles against Tennessee — a good start — but the Gators need consistency.

“The other corner”

Florida knew that Kaiir Elam was good. They probably even knew he was “best corner in America,” 0 receptions against him in press coverage good.

The questions were always about the other side.

When junior starter Jaydon Hill was lost for the season with a knee injury early in fall camp, the thinking was the Gators had recruited well enough to fill the void.

Two blue chips, Avery Helm and Jason Marshall Jr., have tried to fill the void, but there have been growing pains for both. Helm has been consistently beaten in press situations, forcing Grantham to leave a huge cushion to provide Helm security when teams go over the top. Marshall Jr. has committed 2 pass interference penalties and, despite taking good angles to the football, struggled to finish tackles.

Elam changes the way opponents have to scheme and attack Florida. Nevertheless, one elite corner is just that — one elite corner. Florida can’t be just average on the other boundary in the big games to come. They need Helm or Marshall Jr. to step up and claim the job over the next month.

Keon Zipperer, TE

Finally, Florida has received quality production — and blocking — from senior tight end Kemore Gamble. The staff made Gamble the starter in Year 1 AKP (After Kyle Pitts) because he was a complete football player: excellent as a run blocker, a quality route runner with a sturdy set of hands.

But the staff has always felt Zipperer is the more electric passing game threat. That makes his production — just 4 catches through 4 games — a bit mystifying. Zipperer did struggle with drops some last season, but he’s worked on that all spring and summer and he’s probably Florida’s best route runner at the position.

Can he do enough of the other things: blocking in the run game, understanding the playbook and Florida’s use of tight end motion as eye candy — to warrant more snaps?

Florida should hope so, because he certainly is explosive with the football in his hands.