With three games down, Kentucky heads into the Swamp tomorrow on a hot streak. The offense is lighting up the scoreboard, and the defense is, well, not allowing a ton of points at least. The Cats will have their first REAL test in Gainesville where they take on the Gators at their place.
QUARTERBACK
No more Tebow to worry about. Now the only problem is junior John Brantley, who just so happened to be the #3 rated QB in the country as a prep player. Brantley has been efficient if not spectacular thus far and has managed to complete 62% of his passes without throwing a pick. Normally that would be good enough to win the battle here at quarterback, but wait just a second. Kentucky senior Mike Hartline has actually completed 72% of his passes without throwing a pick and has piled up 228 yards more than Brantley on four fewer passes. Being a third year starter gives where Brantley will be starting his fourth game pushes Mike even further ahead.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
RUNNING BACK
Florida’s backfield features the lightning fast Jeff Demps with a little bit of bruiser Emmanuel Moody sprinkled in. The two have managed to put up a combined 389 yards on the ground while fumbling quite a bit (14 total fumbles as a team, 5 lost). Kentucky’s rushing attack features the lighting fast Derrick Locke with just a little bit of bruiser Donald Russell here and there. These two have managed to put up 496 yards rushing while rarely fumbling the ball (two fumbles as a team, 0 lost). I have a lot of respect for the athletes Florida has running the ball, but there are very few guys in the country I would take over a healthy Derrick Locke.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Florida’s receivers struggled to live up to expectations last year and have been forced to move on without Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez. Deonte Thompson is their main threat and he’s supported by Omarius Hines, Robert Clark and Carl Moore. Redshirt freshman Jordan Reed has taken over the tight end position and will work out the kinks as he transitions to the position from quarterback. Kentucky’s main threat is junior Randall Cobb with big targets LaRod King, Chris Matthews and Matt Roark behind him. Redshirt freshman Jordan Aumiller has taken over the tight end position and will work out the kinks as he transitions to the position from linebacker. I actually will put Aumiller ahead of Reed at tight end because Reed has 2 catches for 24 yards on the season, and Aumiller has outperformed that production in every game so far. As much as we all love Cobb, he and Thompson are pretty much a wash, with almost identical numbers (although Cobb did sit out the second half of the Akron game). The production of Kentucky’s supporting cast is what sets the Wildcats apart as their next three receivers have racked up a combined 343 yards compared to 159 for Florida’s next three guys. The Cats sweep the receiver position with Authority.
The Edge KENTUCKY
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Florida offensive line unit is a big group that has managed to dominate the opposition despite experiencing some struggles early. The Florida offense has tallied up 957 yards of total offense behind the group and has particularly excelled in the running game where they picked up 505 of those yards. The Kentucky offensive line unit is equally as large, and has managed to completely overwhelm their first three opponents and allow the Wildcats to amass 1,492 yards of offense while keeping a balanced attack (766 yards passing, 726 yards rushing). Both have protected the quarterback well with Florida giving up two sacks and Kentucky giving up one. This group is very evenly matched, but Kentucky’s ability to mix things up with the run AND the pass sets them apart.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
DEFENSIVE LINE
Florida’s defensive line is big and athletic, and they play all over the field. The unit will have at least five future NFL players and guys like Trattou, Lemmons and Howard have been able to pretty much do what they please so far. They’ve been able to put pressure on the quarterback (nine team sacks) and clog up running lanes (opponents averaging 3.3 yards per carry). Kentucky’s defensive line has struggled stop the run, but has equaled Florida’s sack total at nine. Standout defensive end DeQuin Evans has been quite so far this season and senior defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin has been very good. Kentucky’s inability to shit down inferior rushing attacks allows Florida to take this position.
The Edge: FLORIDA
LINEBACKER
Florida seems to have solid linebackers year in and year out, but will have to get through this season without vocal leader Brandon Spikes, who graduated last year. The current group is small and fast, but inexperienced. Brandon Hicks, A.J. Jones and Jonathan Bostic are the top guys, but redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins might be the most impressive guy in the group. The Kentucky linebackers are equally as inexperienced, equally as undersized, and pretty fast in their own right. Danny Trevathan might be the biggest surprise of the year though and has really impressed coaches and fans with the fire he plays with. Native Floridians Ronnie Sneed and Danny Trevathan will have to up their game on Saturday.
The Edge: FLORIDA
DEFENSIVE BACKS
If there’s one position group that Florida has proven they can turn, out its quality defensive backs. The Gator unit has held opposing offenses to 553 yards passing while also picking of six passes. The Kentucky defensive backs have been much better defending the pass, only giving up 329 yards passing, but has struggled to force turnovers, picking off only two passes. Jsnoris Jenkins has proven to be a very capable cornerback in his time at UF, and safeties Ahmad Black and Will Hill are as talented as any two safeties in the country. While Randall Burden has looked better this year, the disparity in talent and production between Florida’s starters and Mychal Bailey and Winston Guy push this position in the Gator’s possession.
The Edge: FLORIDA
SPECIAL TEAMS
Florida is averaging 7.6 yards per punt return and 32.7 yards per kick return. The Wildcats are averaging 5.9 yards on punts and 23.6 yards per kick return. Advantage Florida. Kentucky punter Ryan Tydlacka is averaging 48.2 yards per punt. While Florida’s punter is only averaging 41.5 yards per punt, he has managed to drop four kicks inside of the opponents 20-yard line as opposed to Tydlacka only dropping one inside the 20 for UK. Florida’s kicking is actually not really that much better than UK’s though. Sturgis has missed two field goals (2 for 4) and an extra point. Kentucky’s kickers have missed a PAT per game and are also kicking 50% t 3 for 6 on field goals.
The Edge: FLORIDA
COACHING
I love Joker and I think he’s going to do great things for the Kentuck
y program. I genuinely do not like Urban Meyer and I think he’s a whiney drama-queen. Regardless though, Meyer has a National Championship trophy and Joker does not.
The Edge: FLORIDA
So there you have it. Florida nudges Kentucky 5 to 4 in position groups and has the Edge in this game. I do not think this is an automatic loss though, and I truly believe the Cats have a shot at winning. They’ll need to play mistake free football and capitalize on any miscues Florida has, but it is definitely possible.
You can see my mid-summer preview of the game HERE
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