Bold Predictions: Stingy Florida defense shuts down UK offense

655 total yards and seven touchdowns.

Quite a debut for the Kurt Roper offense that I’m not sure anyone could have predicted. The Florida Gators move on to Week 3 and kick off their SEC schedule against the Kentucky Wildcats in The Swamp. With nearly 24 hours until game time, we go out on a limb and make some bold predictions for the Gators.

Bold prediction #1: Florida racks up five sacks against Kentucky

In their season-opener, the Gators possessed a very strong pass rush, sacking the Eastern Michigan quarterback three times and recording nine tackles for loss and 11 QB hurries. This week, Florida’s facing a Kentucky offensive line that’s struggled early on. They’ve allowed five sacks in two games, which is tied for most in the SEC. Florida has athletes and pass rushers that Kentucky’s offensive line as yet to face. You can bet defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will be dialing up the blitzes all night. Those blitzes will get to Towels and Kentucky doubles its sacks allowed Saturday night in The Swamp.

Bold prediction #2: Andre Debose returns a kick off for a touchdown

In his first game back from a medical redshirt last week, Andre Debose reminded everyone just how talented of a returner the sixth-year senior can be. He fielded a punt around his own 40-yard line, but probably ran more like 100 yards, zigging and zagging all over the field, eluding Eastern Michigan defenders before eventually being pushed out of bounds around the opponent’s five-yard line. If history has proven anything, it’s that Debose will eventually take one to the house. I’ll go out on a limb and say he returns his fifth kick off for a touchdown, breaking the SEC record for career kick return touchdowns.

Bold prediction #3: Treon Harris scores another two TDs

Based off of the coaches’ comments leading up to the season-opener, it was no surprise that Treon Harris played as much as he did. The true freshman didn’t disappoint, either. He went 2-for-2 for 148 yards and two touchdowns. This week against Kentucky, Harris probably won’t see as many snaps, but I think he’ll see the field and be a playmaker once again. Whether its in the occasional Wildcat formation or in some garbage time at the end of the game if UF is up big, we’ll see another two scores from the true freshman.

Bold prediction #4: Gators’ defense doesn’t give up more than 10 points

Kentucky boasts much more athleticism and speed this season than in years past, especially on the offensive side of things. However, there’s a reasonable chance that the Wildcats could be without Braylon Heard and Javess Blue on Saturday. Without both Heard and Blue, the Wildcats’ offense will be much less dynamic. This is a team that leads the conference with 11 explosive plays (30+ yards on pass plays, 20+ yards on run plays), but without those two last week, Kentucky managed to score only 20 points against Ohio. Add in the extra motivation provided by the words of running back Jojo Kemp – who would start in Braylon Heard’s place – and it could be a really tough day offensively for Kentucky.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.