Gators Horse Around With Kentucky Sat.
LEXINGTON, Ken. (CBSMiami.com) – The University of Florida Gators have been a model of consistency this season, with a defense that is second to none in the country.
The Gators now turn their attention to the struggling Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC East showdown this weekend in Lexington. It's the first SEC road game for Gators head coach Will Muschamp and his suddenly stifling defense.
The Gators defense leads the country in rushing yards allowed, letting opponents only gain 31 yards on the ground through three games. The pass defense isn't too shabby either, allowing just 178.7 yards through the air per game.
Muschamp's specialty coming into the season was as a defensive coordinator, and so far, he's lived up to expectations placed on the Gators year in and year out.
But don't sleep on the Gators offense, which is lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 38 points per game in 2011, which is good for 27th in the country, according to cfbstats.com.
Florida is averaging 210 yards per game on the ground behind speedsters Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.
The most watched player coming into the season, quarterback Jeff Brantley, has turned in a decent performance on the season, averaging 232 yards per game.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has resurrected Brantley's game and the senior is getting more comfortable in Weis' offense each week.
Kentucky's passing offense is generating just 155.3 yards per game, which is 108th in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season. Kentucky's running game isn't fairing much better at just 119 yards per game on the ground.
Overall, the Wildcats are only averaging 19 points per game this season against the likes of Western Kentucky, Central Michigan, and Louisville.
The Wildcats schedule isn't favorable either. Kentucky plays Florida in Lexington this week, then travels to number two LSU next weekend, followed by a trip to number 12 South Carolina the week after.
Florida is a twenty point favorite to beat Kentucky, according to Bodog.com's line. The Gators game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN.
