Kentucky vs Florida Betting Odds: Quarterbacks Levis, Richardson Take Center Stage in SEC Showdown

Heisman Trophy Candidates Lead Way in SEC Showdown

People who love dynamic quarterbacks might want to check out Saturday’s SEC matchup between Kentucky and Florida. Florida’s Anthony Richardson now has fourth-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Will Levis of Kentucky is 14th at +6600. Let’s take a look at the most recent Kentucky vs Florida betting odds.

Both quarterbacks figure to be in the conversation to be first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis struggled in last year’s game against Florida as he completed just 7 of 17 passes for 87 yards with a TD pass and an interception. Richardson didn’t play against Kentucky as a freshman and as a sophomore, he completed his only pass for eight yards and ran five times for 25 yards. Even with those numbers, Kentucky vs Florida betting odds favors the host Gators.

Florida remained at No. 12 in the Associated Press poll and 19th in the American Football Coaches Association poll. Kentucky entered the AP poll this week at No. 20 and moved up from 21 to 20 in the coach’s poll.

Florida (+2800) is currently fourth in the odds to win the SEC while Kentucky (+6600) is tied for seventh.

Florida (+7000) is 11th in the current national championship odds as new head coach Billy Napier prepares for his first conference game with the Gators. Kentucky (+12500) is 18th in the national title odds.

Kentucky vs Florida Game Information

• • Game: Kentucky 1-0, Florida 1-0
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Day/Time: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
  • Television: ESPN

Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky won its first three SEC games a season ago and that included a seven-point win against Florida. The defense was the star of the show on that day as the Wildcats allowed just one touchdown in three trips to the red zone. In the season opener against Miami (Ohio), Kentucky gave up a field goal in Miami’s only trip to the red zone.

Five of the 18 players with tackles in that win were freshmen, so there could be some growing pains for the Wildcats in 2022. Perhaps that is why Kentucky vs Florida betting odds have the Wildcats listed as a six-point underdog.

Kentucky limited Miami to just 3.5 yards per carrying. Slowing down the Florida running game could be a little more challenging.

Florida Gators

For a player with limited production coming into the season, some might have wondered why Richardson was showing up on the NFL mock drafts and being listed as a Heisman candidate. He wasn’t asked to do much throwing the ball against Utah but he did rush for more than 100 yards and three touchdowns against the defending Pac-12 champions.

The defense did allow 446 yards and 6.3 yards to play so there is some work to do on that side of the ball.
Safety Trey Dean and linebackers Brenton Cox Jr. and Ventrell Miller combined for 31 tackles as the Florida offense was on the field for 71 plays. The Gators managed to record just two tackles for loss and no sacks so more will be expected in this matchup.

Kentucky vs Florida Injury Update

For Kentucky, defensive end Sam Anaele, receiver Rahsaan Lewis and linebacker Jordan Wright are questionable. Running back Chris Rodriguez is suspended for an off-the-field incident. Running back Ramon Jefferson (knee) is out for the season.

Florida offensive lineman David Conner (thumb) and cornerback Jaydon Hill (knee) are questionable. Tight end Arlis Boardingham (upper body) is out. Quarterback Jack Miller (thumb) is out indefinitely.

Kentucky vs Florida Head to Head

Florida has won 24 of the last 26 meetings. However, Kentucky won the 2021 game 20-13 as a 7.5-point underdog at home.

Kentucky is 4-0-1 against the spread in the last five meetings with Florida. The last time Kentucky defeated Florida on the road came in 2018 when the Wildcats won 27-16 as a 13.5-point underdog.

Kentucky vs Florida Betting Preview

This could be a fun one. Levis and Richardson have completely different styles as quarterbacks, however, they both get the job done. In the SEC, when nearly every week brings a matchup against a team that is either ranked in the national polls or probably should be, a team needs to pick up all the victories they can when not facing powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia. This is a game that both teams believe they can and should win. Either Florida or Kentucky will move to 1-0 in the Florida football standings.

It is tough comparing statistics from the season opener since Florida met Utah out of the Pac-12 while Kentucky square off against Miami out of the MAC so the teams set up the NCAAF schedule a little bit differently. It will be interesting to watch how the defenses hold up in this one.

The total has gone under in 14 of Kentucky’s last 19 road games and the Wildcats have won just one of the last 13 games when visiting “The Swamp”.

Florida is 1-7 against the spread in the last eight games and 1-5 in the list of six conference matchups.