Kentucky Wildcats at Florida Gators, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Saturday, September 25, 2010, 7:00 pm EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Florida -14
Current Line: Florida -14
Opening Total: 52.5
Current Total: 49
Money Line: Florida -540 / Kentucky +440
Odds taken from Bookmaker Sportsbook & Casino
Coach Joker Phillips takes his Kentucky Wildcats to Gainesville to take on Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators. The Swamp has been a house of horrors for the Wildcats, as Kentucky hasn’t won there since 1979. In fact Florida has won 15 straight games in the series at home. Though Kentucky has covered the college football point spread 3 of the last 4 times they have come to Gainesville. The notable exception was two years ago when Florida destroyed them 63-5. The last time Kentucky even beat Florida was 1986. Most of the players on Kentucky weren’t even born in 1986! If Kentucky is going to break the streak, this might be the year. Kentucky is 3-0, as are the Gators, but Florida has looked vulnerable especially on offense.
Kentucky is 3-0 but hasn’t played a high level of competition. They won at in-state rival Louisville 23-16 to start the season, and routed Western Kentucky 63-28 and Akron 47-10. Quarterback Mike Hartline has thrown for 680 yards and 5 touchdown with no interceptions. He has a quarterback rating of 170.2, which is 8th best in the nation. The rushing attack is even better, averaging 242 yards a game which is the 15th ranked in the country. Derrick Locke is the teams leading rusher with61 carries for 372 yards and 5 touchdowns. However the real weapon on offense is wide receiver/quarterback Randall Cobb. He is the teams leading receiver with 12 catches for 160 yards with 2 touchdowns. He is also the teams 2nd leading rusher with 9 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. If that isn’t enough, he returns kickoffs and punts for the Wildcats, and has a touchdown on a punt return. The multipurpose Cobb also has thrown a touchdown pass. The Gators would be wise to contain him. On defense the Wildcats are only giving up 18 points a game and less than 300 yards a game. The Wildcats haven’t forced many turnovers but they do have 9 sacks this season.
Florida is also 3-0 but the offense isn’t clicking like it did last year. Quarterback John Brantley is having trouble adjusting to receiving the snap from Center Mike Pouncey. Brantley hasn’t thrown an interception yet, but the Gators have fumbled 14 times and lost 5 of them. Brantley has only thrown for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Gator passing attack is ranked number 103 in the country. Brantley’s top target is receiver Deonte Thompson who has 13 catches for 162 yards, but had no touchdown catches. The Gators best weapon on offense is running back Jefferey Demps who has 310 yards on 45 carries and 2 touchdowns. Like Cobb from Kentucky Demps is a multifunctional weapon. He also catches the ball and returns kickoffs for the Gators. As ordinary as the Gator offense as been, the Gator defense has nothing short of dominant. The Gators are giving up only 277 yards a game on offense and 14.3 points a game. They have forced an astounding 12 turnovers, including 10 interceptions, and 9 sacks.
The weather is expected to be rainy, so the Swamp could be nice and muddy. In order for Kentucky to pull the upset, they will have to play well on both sides of the ball. Kentucky has not turned the ball over yet this year, but that could change against the ball-hawking Florida defense. With Hartline, Locke, and Cobb, the Wildcats certainly have the talent to compete with the Gators especially the way the offense is struggling. Again another game we dont have an opinion on at this time but we do have some great picks lined up for Saturday. Get our expert college football picks for week 4 now and stuff your wallet this weekend.
