Florida-Kentucky could decide who finishes behind Georgia, potentially SEC East champion

For the most part, the question in the SEC East the past few seasons has been ‘Who will finish behind Georgia?’ Kirby Smart has dominated the division and college football as a whole, winning back-to-back national championships. Five of the past seven years have seen UGA in Atlanta, representing the East.

This season, a few teams look prime to compete for second place come the end of the season. Nick Roush of On3’s KSR believes Saturday’s game between Florida and Kentucky could wind up being the decider.

Tennessee does play a role as well but it has already lost to the Gators and travel to Lexington later in the year, with the Wildcats looking for revenge after last season’s game.

“I think this whole entire league is wide open this year,” Roush said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “I think this game ultimately is going to decide it. Tennessee, they have to go on the road for that game at Kentucky as well. I know Brad White is chomping at the bite to get one over Josh Heupel. I really do think (Florida-Kentucky) is really what’s going to decide second place in the SEC East.”

Could Florida-Kentucky wind up deciding who wins the SEC East?

While Georgia is still the favorite, Roush does view them as “vulnerable” through four games. Maybe instead of runner-up, Florida-Kentucky could win up deciding who wins the SEC East and plays for a conference championship.

“Crazier things have happened,” Roush said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these teams end up catching Georgia.”

In order to catch Georgia, getting a head-to-head win will be the most crucial thing. Taking a play out of South Carolina‘s book — at least from the first half in Athens — is crucial. Nearly the perfect storm will have to form, even if Roush does not believe the Dawgs are at their same level.

“It all comes down to — are you on it at the right time? Can you take advantage of that bad Georgia first half? Can you play a clean enough football game? Can you create the right amount of turnovers?”

The two non-Georgia teams to play in the SEC Championship in the Kirby Smart era have been Florida. In 2016 and 2020, the Gators faced off against Alabama after getting wins over Kentucky and Georgia. Step one of the process would be winning at Kroger Stadium.

As for Kentucky, they have not ever been to Atlanta. There have been paths in years past under Mark Stoops, with another one beginning to carve itself open if Saturday results in a win against Florida.

Kentucky plays Georgia on Oct. 7 at Sanford Stadium, while Jacksonville will host the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party on Oct. 28.