Florida vs. Kentucky: Prediction and preview

The Florida-Kentucky series has been one of the SEC East’s most entertaining in recent years. In the Mark Stoops era, we’ve seen Kentucky snap The Streak (2018) and Florida pull off some improbable comebacks (2017, ’19).

Heading into Saturday’s showdown in The Swamp, the last 4 meetings in the series are split 2-2. Another close game between No. 12 Florida and No. 20 Kentucky (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) is widely expected for Billy Napier’s first SEC game as coach of the Gators.

Florida vs. Kentucky preview

Let’s look at the 2 teams from an offensive perspective. Quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky) generated considerable NFL Draft buzz this offseason.

Richardson earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week recognition for his standout performance in Florida’s 29-26 win over Utah. He was Florida’s leading rusher with 103 of the team’s 283 yards on the ground. Richardson was productive and turnover-free as a passer.

Anthony Richardson put on a show in his season debut.

Here’s a dive into some key stats from his performance versus Utah. pic.twitter.com/5rDzpNEdKZ

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) September 5, 2022

Levis carved up the Miami (Ohio) defense in Week 1. He was 21-of-32 passing for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 interception.

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Newcomers from the transfer portal were the leading receivers for both Florida and Kentucky in Week 1. Tayvion Robinson (Virginia Tech) posted 6 catches for 136 yards for UK. Ricky Pearsall (Arizona State) led UF with 4 receptions for 67 yards.

Last year, Levis made 5 road starts. He was 92-of-132 passing for 770 yards with 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in games at Georgia, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Louisville. For his first road game of 2022, Levis faces a Florida defense that allowed 216 yards on 22-of-32 passing by Utah QB Cam Rising, with 1 interception.

In last year’s Louisville game, Levis had 14 rushes for 113 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last Saturday, Levis was sacked 4 times, taking 26 yards off his net rushing yards to finish in the negatives on 7 carries. Florida did not record any sacks against Utah.

Levis has yet to recreate his Louisville numbers on the ground, but this might be the time. Florida allowed Rising to rush 7 times for 90 yards last week.

In Week 1, UK’s other ball-carriers accounted for 68 yards on 19 carries. The Wildcats were without star RB Chris Rodriguez. Reports out of Lexington indicate that Rodriguez, who rushed for 1,379 yards in 2021, is still suspended.

Adding to the Wildcats’ woes, RB Ramon Jefferson is out for the year with a torn ACL. UK may still like its opportunity to run the ball Saturday facing a Florida defense that allowed 230 rushing yards to Utah.

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Florida vs. Kentucky prediction

In the Stoops era, Kentucky’s road trips to Florida have alternated between close contests (2014, ’18) and UF blowouts (2016, ’20). That pattern appears likely to continue Saturday.

It’s a revenge game for the Gators in front of another sold-out crowd in The Swamp. We should be in for another exciting Saturday night in Gainesville.

Prediction: Florida 27, Kentucky 24