Are They Back?<\/h3>\n
We\u2019re talking about the Gators, who responded to adversity in the new Billy Napier era a lot better than the later stages of the preceding Dan Mullen regime, and found a way to gut-out a tense win over a top-10 Utah side the way Mullen\u2019s Florida would probably not have been able to do a year ago.<\/p>\n
Unlike Mullen, who unwittingly contributed to the downfall of last year\u2019s Gators by waffling between QBs Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson, there are no such controversies now as Jones has moved to Arizona State and Richardson looks the second coming of Cam Newton after mesmerizing a good Utes defense in the Swamp.<\/p>\n
More satisfying, perhaps, for Napier was the defense making the game-saving play on a last-second interception by LB Amari Burney. That sort of intensity and effort in Gainesville might be hard to recreate this week, but maybe not, depending on how good the Gators’ memory is. The unraveling of Florida’s 2021 season started after an early-October loss to Kentucky.<\/p>\n
‘Cats Missing Some Claws<\/h3>\n
The shoe is on the other foot this year as the Wildcats are the ones having some internal issues to kick off the season. Key RB Chris Rodriguez and a few others are dealing with suspensions that kept them out of the opener against Miami (Oh) and will be out again this week. Rodriguez ran for 1,379 yards last season and was the catalyst for taking some of the pressure off of QB Will Levis.<\/p>\n
Virginia Tech trasnfer Tayvion Robinson seems to have formed a connection with Levis in the passing game, but without Rodriguez, the Wildcats only ran for 50 rush yards last week against a MAC opponent.<\/p>\n
Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction<\/h2>\n
Early indications suggest that the best way to beat Florida this season will be to engage in a high-scoring affair. Florida’s defense looks stout, and the Gators will be equipped to win a grind-it-out game. Unfortunately for Kentucky, that’s the exact opposite of how they are built.<\/p>\n
The Wildcats’ 24-point win over Miami (Oh) last week deserves an asterisk or two. Kentucky only led by three at halftime before RedHawk QB Brett Gabbert was knocked out of the game in the second half. Assuming the Gators didn’t celebrate too hard after last week’s win, Florida should take care of business with a level of comfort.
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Best Damn College Football Show<\/h3>\n
Texas has never been a home underdog of more than two touchdowns. That will change on Saturday as the Longhorns welcome Alabama to Austin. Is the nearly three-touchdown point spread in favor of the Crimson Tide justified? Join Rob Veno, Ralph Michaels and Drew Martin for The Best Damn College Football Show as we break down the College Football Week 2 betting slate from a variety of handicapping angles.<\/p>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oM37TdTYv4Q\/maxresdefault.jpg\")