Florida Football: Betting odds for Gators at Kentucky Wildcats Monday

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25 September 2023

Florida Football: Betting odds for Gators at Kentucky Wildcats Monday

Florida football earned its first three-game winning streak since 2020 with a victory over the visiting Charlotte 49ers, 22-7, last weekend. It was not the offensive explosion many had expected against one of the worst defenses in Division 1 football, but nonetheless, a win is a win.

Next up for the Gators are their Southeastern Conference East division rivals, the Kentucky Wildcats, who host Billy Napier and Co. this coming Saturday with a midday start — snapping the streak of four straight prime-time games. The home team is a perfect 4-0 on the season but none of those wins have been particularly impressive.

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Below is a look at the betting odds ahead of the Week 5 matchup in Lexington, Kentucky, between the Gators and Wildcats. New odds will be published each day as the date draws near, with added info as it becomes available.

The Wildcats start the week favored by 2.5 points over the Gators according to BetMGM. Here are the full odds as of 9 a.m. EDT Monday.

Here’s when and how you can tune into the game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023
Time: Noon EDT
TV Channel:ESPN
Live Stream:fuboTV (try it free)

Expect a tight one on Saturday between the two SEC East rivals in Florida’s first conference road game this season. The ‘Cats have looked a little weak but they will put points on the board while the Gators are still trying to piece together a complete game. The Orange and Blue will prove to be a little too much for the Blue and White, holding on to prevail on the final possession.

Florida 29, Kentucky 27

Graham Mertz: 951 PASS YDS / 237.8 YPG / 77.8% / 4 TD / 1 INT
Trevor Etienne: 49 CAR / 329 YDS / 82.3 YPG / 2 TD / 7 REC / 46 YDS / 11.5 YPG / 0 TD
Montrell Johnson: 46 CAR / 211 YDS / 52.8 YPG / 3 TD / 6 REC / 58 YDS / 14.5 YPG / 1 TD
Ricky Pearsall: 26 REC / 362 YDS / 90.5 YPG / 1 TD
Eugene Wilson III: 12 REC / 104 YDS / 26.0 YPG / 0 TD
Caleb Douglas: 10 REC / 99 YDS / 24.8 YPG / 1 TD
Princely Umanmielen: 7 TKL / 2.0 TFL / 2.0 SACK
Shemar James: 22 TKL / 3.0 TFL / 1.0 SACK
Devin Moore: 2 TKL / 1 INT / 1 PD

Devin Leary: 1,060 PASS YDS / 265.0 YPG / 58.9% / 9 TD / 5 INT
Davis: 50 CAR / 314 YDS / 78.5 YPG / 5 TD / 10 REC / 137 YDS / 34.3 YPG / 2 TD
Jutahn McClain: 18 CAR / 114 YDS / 28.5 YPG / 1 TD / 3 REC / 16 YDS / 4.0 YPG / 0 TD
Tayvion Robinson: 16 REC / 283 YDS / 70.8 YPG / 3 TD
Barion Brown: 15 REC / 214 YDS / 53.5 YPG / 1 TD
Dane Key: 13 REC / 196 YDS / 49.0 YPG / 2 TD
Trevin Wallace: 21 TKL / 4.0 TFL / 3.5 SACK
Maxwell Hairston: 19 TKL / 1.0 TFL / 3 INT / 3 PD

The Gators’ defense has been paving the way for the team, as they rank fifth-best in the FBS with 244.8 total yards surrendered per contest. In terms of offense, they are generating 412.5 total yards per game, which ranks 55th.
Florida’s pass defense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 15th-best in the FBS with 162.8 passing yards allowed per contest. In terms of offense, it is posting 247.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 56th.
The Gators have been dominant on run defense, surrendering only 82 rushing yards per game (15th-best). Offensively, they rank 57th in the FBS by compiling 164.8 rushing yards per game.
Florida ranks 19th-worst in third-down conversion rate (33.3%), but at least it has been dominating on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 23rd-best in third-down rate allowed (31.4%).
The Gators have registered one forced turnover (126th in the FBS) and committed four turnovers (30th in the FBS) this season for a -3 turnover margin that ranks 103rd in the FBS.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildcats have been a top-25 unit, ranking 20th-best by giving up only 293.3 yards per game. They rank 65th on offense (396.5 yards per game).
Kentucky is totaling 265 passing yards per game on offense (45th in the FBS), and ranks 61st on the other side of the ball with 215.8 passing yards allowed per game.
The Wildcats sport the 93rd-ranked offense this year in terms of rushing yards (131.5 per game), and they’ve been better defensively, ranking 10th-best with just 77.5 rushing yards allowed per game.
Kentucky is putting up a 47.5% third-down percentage on offense (28th in the FBS), and ranks 105th on the other side of the ball with a 45% third-down conversion rate allowed.
With eight forced turnovers (18th in the FBS) against seven turnovers committed (88th in the FBS), the Wildcats (+1) own the 50th-ranked turnover margin in college football.

8/31/2023: Utah (Away) L 24-11
9/9/2023: McNeese (Home) W 49-7
9/16/2023: Tennessee (Home) W 29-16
9/23/2023: Charlotte (Home) W 22-7
9/30/2023: Kentucky (Away)
10/7/2023: Vanderbilt (Home)
10/14/2023: South Carolina (Away)
10/28/2023: Georgia (Neutral)
11/4/2023: Arkansas (Home)
11/11/2023: LSU (Away)
11/18/2023: Missouri (Away)
11/25/2023: Florida State (Home)