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Leading up to this week’s showdown with Kentucky, Saturday Down South’s Drew Laing breaks down the battle between the Wildcats and the Florida Gators.
Kentucky Wildcats
Week 3 at Florida (7:30 p.m. on SEC Network)
THE SKINNY: Kentucky enters this game with the belief this is a different Wildcats team than in years past. They boast the most speed and athleticism at the skill positions that they’ve had in a while and quarterback Patrick Towles hasn’t looked better. Mark Stoops’ defense is quick, physical and menacing with experienced players like Bud Dupree and AJ Stamps leading the charge. Safe to say, this isn’t your grandma’s Kentucky Wildcats team.
KEY PLAYER: I’m going with two players, wide receiver Javess Blue and running back Braylon Heard. Both Heard and Blue are dealing with injuries and were questionable heading into the game. However, Stoops announced they are traveling with the team to Gainesville and he expects to get something out of both of them. These two players are arguably the Cats’ biggest playmakers and for a team that leads the SEC in explosive plays, much of their success is dependent on the playing status of these two guys.
WHAT TO WATCH: So far this season, Towles has yet to turn the ball over. However, his offensive line has shown some vulnerability already, allowing five sacks in the first two weeks. Against Florida’s defense, you can bet that defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will dial up the blitzes all night against UK. If the Gators able to penetrate and get in the backfield often, how will Towles respond? How he reacts to the pressure could very well dictate the outcome of this SEC showdown.
FINAL SAY: There’s no question that Kentucky is a better team this season. They haven’t played the toughest competition, but even in their wins you can tell they have more skill and more swagger. However, tonight will be a much tougher test for Kentucky than they’ve faced so far in 2014. With Heard and Blue battling injuries, I don’t know if the UK offense will have the explosiveness needed to beat the Gators in The Swamp. Florida makes it 28 wins in a row against the Cats tonight.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
