Kentucky players to watch against Florida

Kentucky is back home at Kroger Field in Week 11 for the final SEC home game of the season. The Cats will have one final swing at ending the program’s long power conference losing streak in Lexington. After last week’s upset win on the Plains, UK has unexpected life and a chance to turn things around in November.

Will this football team take advantage of this opportunity? If they do, some individual players will need to play well.

Football is the ultimate team game but certain players need to step up and play well in key matchups. These are the players that KSR will be watching closely on Saturday night.

A bounce-back opportunity for the Kentucky rushing attack

Auburn is the best run defense in college football. They looked like the best run defense in college football last week. UK generated just 96 non-sack rushing yards on 30 carries in the 10-3 win. It was the third time in the last four SEC games where the Cats had a hard time getting the run game rolling.

But the three top-10 run defenses on the schedule are in the rearview mirror. This rushing attack will get bounce-back opportunity against a solid but not great Florida run defense.

For just the second time in the last five games, Kentucky will not be facing a top-10 rushing defense. In the last three power conference games outside of these top-10 foes, UK has rushed for an average of 162.7 non-sack yards on 4.6 yards per rush with a 46.7 percent success rate. After getting pass-heavy in October, UK should be able to find some balance on Saturday.

Seth McGowan will be expected to lead the way like usual. In two games against run defenses outside of the top 10, the former Oklahoma and New Mexico State transfer has rushed for 387 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.7 yards per rush. McGowan went over 100 yards against Eastern Michigan and South Carolina.

Kentucky turned into a pass-heavy offense in October as the coaching staff put a lot on Cutter Boley‘s plate. But eventually, this run game must get rolling again. Saturday is a great opportunity for the Cats to get back on track. If they find more traction in the run game, it could open up more explosive play opportunities for the passing game.

Kentucky’s run defense must continue strong play without a key defensive line starter

Kentucky was delivered some bad new when redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Tavion Gadson went from probable to out on the latest availability report. That is a notable loss for the Cats. Gadson (25 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 18 pressures in 235 snaps) has been one of this team’s best players all season.

It’s next man up time in Lexington.

Kahlil Saunders (26 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 19 pressures, 281 snaps) is coming off one of the best performances of his career. Jerod Smith II (15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7 pressures, 177 snaps) will be in line for a start. UK’s trench depth will be tested.

When Florida has had their best offensive performances this season, the Gators have gotten the run game rolling. Jadan Baugh has cleared 100 rushing yards in any game where the Gators scored more than 20 points. This is the biggest key on Saturday. UK must take Baugh out of the game. If they can do that, it could be a long night for this Florida offense.

UK’s run defense has been a strength all season. It needs to remain a strength on Saturday night. Kentucky’s defensive line must replace the loss of Gadson. That could mean more snaps for Saunders and an increased role for Smith.

Another big opportunity for Kendrick Law

Kentucky needs to get the run game rolling but they can’t get away from what has been successful recently. Cutter Boley has played extremely well at home, and the short passing game has been this unit’s best method of operation. That cannot go away against Florida.

UK will need their top wide receiver to play well again.

Kendrick Law has generated 302 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches since October. The Alabama transfer has been a key cog in the quick passing game and continues to gobble up yards after the catch. Meanwhile, he has give the run game some needed wrinkles when the offense wants to get to the perimeter.

Law is one of Kentucky’s best players. They must continue to force-feed him the football. Good things have have happened when No. 1 has the ball. Facing a Florida defense that ranks No. 106 in yards per dropback allowed, there could be some explosive play opportunities for Kentucky’s top chunk play generator.

When Kentucky is scoring points, Law is usually touching the football and making things happen.

A revenge spot for Kentucky’s secondary

In last year’s 48-20 loss to Florida, the cracks that defined the 2024 Kentucky collapse began to show. Florida grinded out over 200 rushing yards and that opened the door for the explosive passing game. UK had no answers for DJ Lagway deep shots.

In his first SEC start, the former five-star recruit completed only 7-of-14 passes but no one cares about that because Florida threw for 279 yards on 18.6 yards per attempt against a Kentucky defense that typically hangs its hat on big-play prevention. Florida’s talented young quarterback consistently hit on deep posts and over routes before ultimately ending the game with a 40-yard go-ball completion.

Kentucky’s entire starting secondary in that game will be back on the field on Saturday. DJ Waller Jr. is has been listed as probable all week and is trending to finally return to the lineup. Waller and JQ Hardaway were the starting cornerbacks when Florida threw all over UK. Jordan Lovett and Ty Bryant were the starting safeties.

Can UK flip the tables in the next meeting?

Lagway will be without two of his top three wideouts on Saturday. The Gators currently rank No. 99 in passing success rate (40.75%) and No. 114 in EPA/dropback (-0.10). Florida’s passing game has been a problem. Kentucky needs to make sure it is a problem.

If the Cats take away the run and force Florida to get run-heavy, it could take advantage of what has been at turnover-prone season for Lagway. The secondary that had a very long night last season in Gainesville will be responsible for making plays in coverage when the Gators attempt to throw the ball down the field again.