After the hardest stretch of games in Florida football history, which included five top ten teams spanning from week three to week ten, the Gators (3-5, 2-3 SEC) travel to Lexington, Kentucky to take on the Wildcats in week 11. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. eastern kickoff and will air on SEC Network.
Saturday night’s contest marks the 76th all-time meeting between Florida and Kentucky including the 35th matchup in Lexington. The Gators have won 34 of the last 38 games against Kentucky since 1987. In Lexington, Florida has claimed 20 of the last 23 meetings (since 1978) and 16 of the last 18 (since 1988). Despite that dominance, UF has lost two-straight road games at UK, last winning in Lexington in 2019 (W, 29-21).
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Kentucky holds a 3-5 (1-5 SEC) record through eight games of the 2025 season, which has led to some speculation on Mark Stoops’ job security in Lexington. The Wildcats are coming off their most impressive win of the season, however, a 10-3 victory at Auburn in week ten.
Despite a poor overall record, Kentucky has kept it close with a few of the best teams in the country, including a touchdown loss to No.6 Ole Miss and a three-point overtime loss to No.11 Texas.
The strength of Kentucky’s team is their run defense. The Wildcats rank 44th in the country in run defense, allowing 130.1 yards per game. Kentucky allows just 3.47 yards per carry on average, which ranks 30th in college football. It’s a matchup to watch closely as Florida may look to lean on sophomore running back Jadan Baugh early and often.
Kentucky is coming off their best pass rush performance of the season, tallying seven sacks vs. Auburn in week ten. Led by Kahlil Sanders and Tavion Gadson, the Wildcats do a good job generating a pass rush from the interior defensive line, where they use their length and speed to affect the quarterback.
In a cold weather game, the Wildcats want to make this an ugly, low scoring contest. Kentucky’s path to victory: run the ball and stop the run.
If Florida can exploit a Kentucky secondary that ranks 94th in passing yards allowed, the Wildcat’s won’t have much of a chance on Saturday night. That’s a big if, though. The Gators rank 71st in passing offense and have been inconsistent at best in 2025.
BY THE NUMBERS
Total offense
UF: 352.8 YPG (95th)
UK: 346.1 YPG (99th)
Scoring offense
UF: 22.1 PPG (T-105th)
UK: 22.4 PPG (101st)
Rushing offense
UF: 126.5 YPG (T-104th)
UK: 144.9 YPG (80th)
Passing offense
UF: 226.2 YPG (71st)
UK: 201.2 YPG (94th)
Total defense
UF: 340.5 YPG (43rd)
UK: 366.9 YPG (65th)
Scoring defense
UF: 20.50 PPG (32nd)
UK: 26.75 (86th)
Rushing defense
UF: 120.2 YPG (35th)
UK: 130.1 YPG (44th)
Passing defense
UF: 220.2 YPG (70th)
UK: 238.8 (94th)
Third down offense
UF: .304% (129th)
UK: .411 (58th)
Third down defense
UF: .397% (81st)
UK: .409 (T-90th)