Florida v. Kentucky

by Arnaldo

Twenty-five.  That's how many consecutive victories the Gators have had over the Kentucky Wildcats. If you're wondering if it's some sort of record, it is.  The win streak is the longest active streak of consecutive wins over a particular opponent in an uninterrupted series.  The only longer active streak is Penn State over Temple and they don't meet every year (also, let's be real, that streak may be ending soon).

"Go Gators!" - Ronald Reagan (...maybe)

The year was 1986 when the Wildcats bested the Gators in Lexington 10-3, and I'm willing to bet most of you reading this weren't even born.  Ronald Reagan was president.  The Berlin Wall still stood.  Millions of Americans had just watched the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.  Have I made my point clear?  It's been a while.

UK head coach Joker Phillips
. . . Why so serious?

The University of Kentucky is really only a competitive rival in basketball, where both teams usually battle for the SEC East.  The football match-up is usually the final tune up game for the Gators, before entering the bulk of the SEC schedule.  There have been years when the Gators get put on upset alert against the Wildcats but end up scoring touchdown after touchdown, and we hope this year won't be any different.

As usual in this game, the Gators need to focus on the Wildcats and leave the bye week to prepare for No. 2 LSU, but I think I speak for all of us when I say it's nice to be home.  Usually around this time the Gators have already played at the Swamp two to three times, before the SEC expansion forced us to visit College Station.  This game represents a dominance over an opponent that we hope in turn represents our return to prominence in the SEC, and though the outcome is too close to obvious, the Swamp will be packed with fans welcoming their team back home as the No. 14 Florida Gators take on the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Match-up
 

Uhh... you mad?

Kentucky - Quite frankly, there's not much to see here.  This may be one of the worst Kentucky teams in recent years.  I'm not saying Joker Phillips isn't taking the team in a good direction, but after losses to Louisville and Western Kentucky (yes, the Hilltoppers), things are looking bleak for the Wildcats.  However, there are some bright spots on their team and as usual, they have potential to grow.  Kentucky's quarterback, Maxwell Smith is faring very well, despite the losses.  He actually leads the SEC in passing with 966 yards and 8 touchdowns.  His favorite target: wide receiver La'Rod King, who again, despite the losses, is quite talented.

Florida Offense - Against Tennesee, the Gators created a whopping 555 yards of offense.  That's the most in conference play since 2001 against Vanderbilt, and third most in Neyland Stadium by any team ever.  Jeff Driskel and the Gators found their momentum in the second half with several explosive plays and more suffocating defense.  What amazes me the most is the very noticeable growth of Jeff Driskel.  While it's still too early to tell how mature he's become, watching the touchdown pass to Jordan Reed last week, ignoring the two defenders set on taking him down really dropped the jaws of all the Gator hopeful.  He's come a long way from the scared freshman who played against Alabama and was almost immediately injured.


A First Half? - The first half at Tennessee was all too similar to the first half at Texas A&M.  Now, if I had to pick a style of team to be, it would be a second-half team.  But only in the sense that we play better in the second half than in the first; the first still has to be solid.  So far, the disparity between the two halves has been unacceptable. 

The coaching staff has been preaching 72 and 22, which are the total points allowed and scored, respectively, by the Gators in the second halves against SEC opponents in 2011.  This year's mantra has been "finish the game," and according to Frankie Hammond Jr. "We are a better second-half team. Over the offseason [strength coach Jeff] Dillman pretty much ingrained in our minds we have to finish out games."  So far this season Florida has outscored everyone 50-13 in the second half while pitching 27-0 shutouts in the fourth quarter, but finishing strong won't always make up for a sloppy first half.  If the Gators are proving they have the discipline and stamina to finish games strong and exploit tired opponents in the second half, there's no reason we can't see more production and fewer penalties out of the first half.  Playing half-games won't suffice against the likes of LSU, Georgia, and Florida State.

LT Xavier Nixon

Offensive Line - The O-line this season so far has been a bit of an evolution in the right direction.  From allowing eight sacks and providing reluctant run blocking, to the impenetrable sackless wall we saw against Tennessee.  The line has definitely grown in front of our very eyes, however, much more needs to be improved.  Left tackle Xavier Nixon was penalized with two 15-yarders, one from removing his helmet to argue with a referee, and the line provided Gillislee little support in short yardage interior runs. 


Injuries - Remember when I said Dominique Easley was at risk of aggravating his knee and he did towards the end of the Tennessee game.  His status is questionable, but with a soft Kentucky team coming in and a bye week before No. 2 LSU visits, I'd put my money on Easley riding the bench tomorrow.  Look for Jonathan Bullard or Earl Okine to fill in.  Jelani Jenkins is still out but is rumored to be looking forward to returning for LSU.



Tuning - No game should be taken lightly, ever.  With a bye week and LSU around the corner, players might have a hard time taking Kentucky seriously, but you can bet Will Muschamp won't let them get too distracted.  Kentucky is the last opportunity for any more tuning on the field.  It's time to try to finalize the ever shifting offensive line, iron out some kinks in the defense, and maybe work to perfect that new-look Trey Burton wildcat set. 


Arnaldo's prediction:

Florida wins 41-13