3 Bold Predictions for Florida vs Kentucky SEC Matchup

Mark Stoops and Kentucky will have to try and replicate the magic of their 2018 season without star quarterback Terry Wilson, who is now lost for the year with a torn patellar tendon in his knee. Their first matchup with Sawyer Smith behind center comes against Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators-- the team the Cats shockingly beat last year in Gainesville to break a three-decade losing streak in this series.

1. Florida Runs For 200+ Yards

The Gators' running game has been inconsistent over the first two games of the season, with Lamical Perine's 93 yards leading the team the team. UK's defense is still reeling from the loss of their entire secondary from a year ago, which included two run-stuffing safeties in Mike Edwards and Darius West, to say nothing of SEC Defensive Player of the Year Josh Allen. This is a recipe for the Gators to crack the code and run wild.

2. Sawyer Gets Sacked at Least 6 Times

Sawyer Smith is a graduate transfer from roy, where he played under Neal Brown in a quick-strike offense that could make any quarterback into an efficient passer (well, except Austin Kendall). Trouble arose when Smith held the ball and started to take sacks, however. After feasting on Miami's woefully underprepared offensive line, Jabari Zuniga, Jonathan Greenard, and the Gators should be locking their chops to go up against a depleted Wildcats o-line and make things tough for Smith.

3. Gators Coast to a 3-Score Win

Smith has some arm talent, which could cause some problems for a Gators secondary that had some issues in the Miami game and is likely to be without its foremost star, CJ Henderson, due to an ankle injury. However, the Gators have the edge on paper, and should ride their running game and a quality day from quarterback Feleipe Franks to an easy win over their SEC East rivals to move to 3-0 on the season.