Kentucky prediction time
Like everyone else who has followed the early and promising progress of this Florida team, I’ve been very impressed. This is a Gator team that is growing with its young quarterback — and the process seems to be happening at warp speed.
When you look back at Jeff Driskel and the Gators in the opener and compare that performance with what we saw last Saturday in Knoxville, it’s night and day. The improvement has been remarkable. It’s a trend that should continue against a Kentucky team that is struggling mightily on defense and coming off an embarrassing home loss to Western Kentucky.
Some, maybe many, around Gator Nation are leery of a possible letdown Saturday. My response is I think this team is too focused on its mission to fall into the same trap last year’s team did in the Furman game. This is a much more mature team that will get itself ready to play, and improve, this week.
Like offensive guard Jon Halapio said earlier in the week, the Gators have invested too much in this season to let things slide backward now.
I look for offensive coordinator Brent Pease to put more on Driskel’s plate, and I expect Driskel to handle whatever it is. This is what he’s done in every game. And I look for Mike Gillislee to have a big day against a UK defense that the Gators gutted for more than 400 yards rushing a year ago.
The up-tempo UK passing game will present a challenge, but if UF can take Tyler Bray and those excellent receivers out of their game, they’ll be able to do the same against the Wildcats.
Prediction: Florida 41, Kentucky 10.
Robbie Andreu has been The Sun’s college football beat writer since 1993. He covered every game of the Steve Spurrier coaching era. The only game he’s missed since he has been in Gainesville is the 2006 Florida State game in Tallahassee. He happily stayed home for that one because of the imminent birth of his second child. Before coming to The Sun in March of 1993, Andreu worked for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel for 10 years, covering a variety of sports, including the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, professional golf and baseball (playoffs and World Series). He also worked in Clearwater and Bradenton. He graduated from UF in 1977.
I haven’t said this in awhile…we will light up the score board this wknd! Go Gators!
by Tally Gator
UF 38-13.
by Lee
i hope Gilly has a big day as well, but if he(or Easley or anybody else) isn’t 100%, sit them vs. the Mildcats so they’ll be full go vs. LSU i 2 weeks.
by Steve
I will have to say that I was shocked last week when Florida beat Tennessee like they did. I predict the sore end in Tennessee’s Favor. I think Jeff Driskel is growing up quickly as a player and the receivers are looking better and I like the running games this year. I haven’t seen that in a while. I think Florida will win 45 to 14 and a much needed week off to get ready for Les Miles and the LSU Tigers.
by SeffnerGator
Pass defense isn’t our strong point (reference all the defensive holding, pass interference calls last week). UT was just a few dropped passes from getting things rolling back in their direction in the 2nd half.
Given that, UK will probably score more than 14…probably in the 21-28 range. On the flipside, if we don’t kill our drives with more stupid penalties, we should be in the 35-42 range.
Lookin’ good Gators!
by Manny Tee
45-3 for Halftime Score, then they give Jacoby some playing time under center for the 2nd half… Pease is planning to get back for Lorenzen opening his mouth about the hire and Trash talk.. Kentucky needs to break their losing streak before they start talking trash.. 25 year losing streak and they haven’t won in Gainesville since 1979, I don’t see that streak ending anytime soon..
by Infinity
Sorry, Manny Tee. Kentucky is no where near the team Tennessee is this year. Kentucky’s offensive line is not as large or athletic. It’s hard to throw great passes when you’re constantly on your ass or on the run. It won’t be anywhere near that close of a game.
by GatorMeO&B
Roll Tide! 101-29 last 3 games vs UF!
by Roll Tide
well written
by #GatorFan
Roll away Tide!
Manny Tee I beg to differ somewhat. Sure we had a lot of penalties but do you see the press coverage that UF plays? How many deep balls were completed on our young secondary? UT will be one of the best passing attacks that we’ll face this year. And today they will do fine.
by Reese
I have sneaky suspicion that in about three weeks we’re all going to realize that the Gators are back. I think we scare the hell of out LSU, and maybe even win outright.
by kaput
One game at a time, kaput, but I feel you. Gators 52 UK 10
by Brr-bon Phil
I hope we get a big lead by half – and can get much of our reserves (including Brissett, Jones, Brown, and WRs) some valuable and successful game experience.
by GatorJim@WestPoint
Roll Tide
Bama was 1st SEC team beat by LaMonroe.
by ga gator
Everyone needs to lighten up on Roll Tide, didn’t your momma teach you not to pick on girls?
by Rooferman
Nice shut-out, Gators!
by GIGator
@TRoll Tide
In the 12 meetings before that The Mighty Gators have won 8 times! 294-255
by Nickname
Enjoy Gators at 5-0 !
Robbie and Pat,I’m putting you both on notice:
Gators beat LSU27-24 in the Swamp in 2 weeks.
Here’s why:
LSU revealed itself this week against an anemic Auburn O & D.
The Tigers’ QB was rattled, their receivers couldn’t get open, their rushing game is suspect. The D looked ok but was unexceptional.
Now, give Pease and Quinn two weeks to prepare their game plan, and get Burton, Easely and Green back at 100% and we have a better than 60/40 shot at winning. Driskel is a beast.
GO GATORS!
Lakeland Dreadnaught
by Lakeland GatorNaught
If Driskel makes plays and doesn’t turn the ball over then we have a great shot at beating the Tiggers.
Our defense is going to take away the run and make LSU beat us through the air. If that isn’t the plan then I am going to be extremely disappointed.
Turnovers!!!
UF 24 LSU 17
by Lee
OK…I was just talking about recent history. If you want to start going back in the past, why stop after 12 games?
by Roll Tide
OK…I was just talking about recent history. If you want to start going back in the past, why stop after 12 games? 23-14 Bama edge (925-548)
by Roll Tide
Roll Tide:
Ma’am, thank you for the history lesson.
Go Gators!
by Rooferman
At least you Gators only have to put up with RT on here…hopefully. Between all the RTR’s and WDE”s I hear and see on a daily basis, i want to rip my ears off and shoot myself in the face at least once a week.
by GatorInBama