Kentucky, Florida to Battle in Conference Matchup

Oct 17, 20242 min read

The Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) will travel to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, aka “The Swamp,” to face the struggling Florida Gators (3-3, 1-2) as they look to rebound in a conference clash at 7:45 p.m. EST Oct. 19 in Gainesville, Fla.

The Wildcats have made strides toward competing at a high level in the SEC when they defeated No. 18 Ole Miss (5-2, 1-2) earlier in the season but lost to a much-improved Vanderbilt (4-2, 2-1) squad last weekend. The Gators are reeling. Last weekend the boys from Gainesville lost to the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers (5-1, 2-1), 23-17. The Gators look for redemption as they welcome the Cats to one of the hardest places in the SEC to play, especially under the Saturday night lights.

The Stakes at The Swamp

This is the 75th meeting of the programs, 36 of which have taken place in Gainesville, but it is also homecoming in Gainesville. The Gators have won five straight homecoming games and are 29-5 in its last 34 homecoming games.

Kentucky would love to play spoiler.

In the two team’s last six matchups, the Cats are 4-2 against the Gators. A head-to-head matchup could have major implications in the conference championship picture. This is also the third meeting between Gator head Coach Billy Napier and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops.

Player to Watch: Kentucky

Demie Sumo, the Cats leading rusher will need to help establish control of the clock if the Cats want to quiet down the always loud Gator faithful. Sumo has managed 380 rushing yards and 63.3 yards per game this season and scored four times. In a battle of attrition, Sumo must trudge through the swamp and keep the Gators on the sideline if Kentucky wants to rebound in the conference.

Mark Stoops — © Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Players to Watch: Florida

Quarterback Graham Mertz and wide receiver Chimere Dike must attack through the air early and often. Doing so will keep the crowd’s energy high and could kill the Cats' spirit if the Gators can score early and get out to a big lead at home. Mertz has managed 791 passing yards (131.8 per game) thus far in 2024 with a 76.6 percent completion percentage (72-of-94) while managing 6 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. Dike has grabbed 19 balls for 353 yards and two2 touchdowns this year on 24 targets. He averages 58.8 receiving yards.

What to Watch

Determination is always a driving factor when teams are struggling. Kentucky wants to continue building on the team’s early successes this season. Florida has to rebound, the faithful, who will be in full force Saturday, demand it. The difference could be who wants it most. Is it Florida who has everything to gain or Kentucky who has nothing to lose?

It’s hard to bet against a hungry Gator in The swamp.