Kentucky football welcomes Florida to Lexington on Saturday for a huge Southeastern Conference game between two rival teams and here are the odds and a prediction for the Wildcats against the Gators.
The Big Blue has completed a third of the season in what has felt more like driving a bumper car at an amusement park. The Wildcats have endured knocks, blocks, and scares from Louisianna-Monroe, Missouri, Chattanooga, and South Carolina but are still moving.
It’s time to put the pedal to the metal as Kentucky’s most hated rival, other than Tennesse, rolls into the Bluegrass. Playing Florida has always provided some crazy games, especially during the Mark Stoops era where Kentucky has had opportunities to win but has been bitten by bad luck and the Gators in the closing minutes.
Kentucky football needs a crazy finish to go their way
In 2018 Kentucky finally broke a 31-game losing streak to the Gators when they won 21-16 in Gainsville.
From UK Athletics something to shake your head and try to forget the bizarre ways Big Blue lost.
- In 2019 against Florida Kentucky had a field goal attempt with 58 seconds to play that would have given the Cats the lead. It missed wide right.
- In 2017 against the Gators, UK attempted a 57-yard field goal as the final horn sounded. That attempt came up just short and Florida prevailed 28-27.
- In 2015 against UF, the Cats had two possessions late with a chance to win against the Gators, only to come up short in a 14-9 loss.
- And in 2014, Florida needed triple overtime, and perhaps a favorable call from the officiating crew, to top the Cats in Gainesville, 36-30.
But that is in the past and in 2021 Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia are all wanting to be on the top of the SEC East mountain.
Stoops is ready for the Gators.
"“Excited to get going with a big opportunity with Florida coming into our place here this Saturday, Looking forward to that challenge. Florida is always an extremely talented football team, very well-coached and we’ll have our hands full. Really looking forward to having a great home atmosphere here this weekend.”"
Kentucky (4-0, 2-2) has a shot to put the Gators (2-1, 1-1) two games in the rearview mirror if they can win. Georgia the big Dawg in the East has a tough battle with Arkansas this weekend.
Kentucky vs Florida Odds Week 5
The Week 5 betting odds on WynnBET currently have Kentucky as an 8.5 underdog. The under/over currently sits at 55. As for the Moneyline Kentucky is listed at +255 while Florida is minus -330.
Kentucky is 3-1 against the spread so far while hitting the over in three of them. Florida is 2-2 ATS while 2-2 in the over/under.
Kentucky vs Florida Predictions Week 5
Does one go head or heart here?
In our heart of hearts and the ever-enduring misery of always coming out of the short end against Florida, all of Big Blue Nation so badly wants a victory in the worst way and can taste it.
It more than likely would lead to a sea of fans rushing Kroger Field and a jubilant site like in 1986 when they won 10-3.
The common sense head though looks at the numbers and sees Florida leads this series 53-14. Kentucky has only won twice since 1979. The worst was a 73-7 massacre in 1994 when Steve Spurrier lit up Bill Curry’s team. The Gators have put up a couple 60 pointers but since Stoops arrived at UK the most he has given up was 45 in 2016.
This week feels more like a rivalry week when you throw out records history and such and just want to be in this game in the closing minutes with a shot to win.
I do believe Kentucky and Florida enter the fourth quarter locked in a battle and something tells me this game could come down to a winning field goal.
The Gators dispatched Tennessee in Gainesville last week, 38-14, and has wins over Florida Atlantic and South Florida, while challenging No. 1 Alabama to the wire before falling 31-29.
All the predictors have Florida coming out as the winner and if they do I would say it will be by 7 points. This is my head pick.
But I’ll bleed blue here with my heart and want a rush the field, crazy ESPN SportsCenter moment with Kentucky winning on a field goal by Matt Ruffalo 31-28.
Go Cats!
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