Blue Preview: Storyline, odds and key players to watch for UK football vs. Florida

Kentucky vs. No. 22 Florida

When: Noon Saturday.

TV: ESPN

Announcers: Play-by-play, Joe Tessitore; analysis, Jesse Palmer; sideline, Katie George.

Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1.

Satellite Radio: XM Channel 190, Sirius Channel 109, Internet Channel 961.

Records: Kentucky 4-0, 1-0 SEC; Florida 3-1, 1-0 SEC

Series history: Florida leads the all-time series with Kentucky 53-20, but UK has won the past two meetings and three of the last five.

Most-recent meeting: No. 20 Kentucky upset No. 12 Florida 26-16 on Sept. 10, 2022, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.

Line: Kentucky is favored by three points.

The storyline

In a game likely to have substantial impact on the competitive arc of each team’s season, Kentucky will go for its third straight victory over Florida and its fourth defeat of a ranked Gators team since 2018. The Wildcats will also seek to extend Florida’s road misery — the Gators are 1-6 in their last seven SEC road games and 2-14 in their last 16 games played outside of Gainesville.

The number to watch

Turnover margin. In UK wins over UF in 2018, 2021 and 2022, the turnover margin was even in the first two games and plus-one in favor of Kentucky last year. Given the inconsistencies of the UK offense in 2023, winning the turnover battle could be pivotal for the Wildcats on Saturday when facing a UF defense that is fifth in the FBS in total defense (surrendering only 244.8 yards a game).

The big threat

Trevor Etienne. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore from Jennings, Louisiana, was the hero of Florida’s 29-16 upset of No. 11 Tennessee two weeks ago, running 23 times for 172 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Etienne ran well against UK, carrying the ball nine times for 46 yards and an 11-yard TD jaunt.

On the spot

Devin Leary. The Kentucky quarterback has not been as consistent nor as accurate as expected through his first four games since transferring from North Carolina State. In a matchup with current Florida and former Wisconsin starter Graham Mertz — the other transfer portal QB most-strongly linked with UK last offseason — it would be an ideal time for Leary to put four good quarters of play together.

The mood

Is tense. Wins over Florida launched Kentucky to 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021. With a very-difficult schedule remaining, it’s hard to envision the current Wildcats producing the kind of “breakthrough” season the Big Blue Nation craves without taking care of business against Billy Napier’s Gators.

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