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Florida vs Kentucky Odds, Picks & How to Bet SEC Week 5 Game

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in College Football

Updated Sep 28, 2023 · 2:32 PM PDT

Maxwell Hairston and the unranked Kentucky Wildcats are 1.5-point home favorites over #22 Florida
Sep 23, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Maxwell Hairston (31) celebrates after after scoring his second touchdown on an interception against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
  • Unranked Kentucky is a 1.5-point home favorite over #22 Florida in the college football game between these SEC rivals on Saturday, September 30
  • The Wildcats are 6-34 straight up all-time against ranked Gators teams
  • Kentucky sports bettors can wager online on this game. Legal online sports betting launched in the Bluegrass State on Sept, 28

In the grand scheme of things, a Kentucky Wildcats (4-0, 3-1 ATS) club facing a ranked Florida Gators (3-1, 1-3 ATS) team hasn’t turned out all that well for the boys from Kentucky. They are 6-34 straight up all-time when facing ranked Florida squads.

The Wildcats, though, have won straight up the last two times they’ve squared off with the Gators. However, neither of those Florida teams were situated in the top 25. Yet, as they ready to play host to #22 Florida, it’s unranked Kentucky that oddsmakers are setting as 1.5-point home favorites in the Gators vs Wildcats odds.

Let’s go a little deeper into the Florida vs Kentucky odds and offer you our prediction for this Week 5 college football game.

Florida vs Kentucky Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Florida Gators -105 +1.5 (-115) Over 44.5 (-110)
Kentucky Wildcats -114 -1.5 (-105) Under 44.5 (-110)

In the Florida vs Kentucky odds, the Wildcats are -114 moneyline favorites, giving them an 53.27% implied win probability. The total is set at 44.5 points. Each of the last three Florida vs Kentucky games have gone under.

Odds as of Sept. 28 at FanDuel. Be sure to claim a FanDuel promo code to bet on Gators vs Wildcats and other college football Week 5 action this week. And if you live in Kentucky, you can sign up with FanDuel Kentucky for all your sports betting options. 

 

Florida is 27-3 SU in the last 30 games against Kentucky. However, the Wildcats are 2-0 SU and ATS in the last two games between the two schools.

Kickoff for this game at Kroger Field on Saturday, September 30 is set for 12:00 pm ET. The broadcast is being carried by ESPN.

Gators vs Wildcats Betting Splits

In the college football public betting splits, people are of the opinion that Kentucky’s winning ways against Florida will be continuing. It’s the home chalk Wildcats who are getting 93% of handle and 81% of bets in the public moneyline splits as a -114 favorite. Kentucky is 5-1 SU over the past six games. There’s differing viewpoints on the spread splits, though. As the -1.5-point pick, favored Kentucky pulling 61% of handle. However, underdog Florida is drawing 54% of bets. Kentucky is 5-0-1 ATS in the last six games against the Gators.

As far as the total of 44.5 points is concerned, the people are leaning slightly to the over. It’s garnering 58% of both public handle and bets. In seven of Kentucky’s last eight homes game, the under was the winning play.

The Wildcats and Gators are co-21st betting choices in the National Championship odds at +20000. Florida is +4000 to win the SEC, while Kentucky is set at odds of +5000.

Gators Dominance Of This Series Slowing

Recent history is painting a significant change in outcomes between Florida and Kentucky. Not only are the Wildcats 5-0-1 ATS in the last six meetings with the Gators, they’ve also won two in a row and three of the last five outright.

Florida is 22-11 SU all-time at Kentucky. The 20-13 road loss in 2021 was the first road setback the Gators suffered at the hands of the Wildcats since 1986, ending a 16-game win streak. From 1978-2017, Florida went 31-0 SU against Kentucky.

Defenses Delivering For Both Teams

Kentucky sophomore DB Maxwell Hairston shares top spot in the country with three interceptions. In last week’s win against Vanderbilt, he snared a pair of pick sixes. That performance earned him a slew of awards, including Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week,  Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and the Jim Thorpe National Defensive Back of the Week.

In the first year under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, the Gators sit first in the SEC, fourth among Power 5 schools and fifth in FBS in total defense, allowing 244.8 yards per game. Florida has limited teams to 13.5 points per game, which is tied for18th in FBS.

Florida vs Kentucky Prediction

Kentucky is seeking to beat Florida three years in a row for the first time since a four-year stretch of success from 1948-51. It’s also the first time since 1909-11 that the Wildcats have opened a season 4-0 in three successive seasons. The Wildcats are 16-4 SU in their last 20 home games.

Gators QB Graham Mertz has completed 88% of his passes (85-for-109), which rates him third overall in the nation. Florida’s defense will be getting a stiff test from Kentucky. The Wildcats rank #25 in the nation in scoring offense, putting up 38.0 points per game. But Kentucky has played a soft schedule. Florida is already battle-hardened from two tests against ranked schools.

Florida vs Kentucky Pick: Florida Gators +1.5 (-115)

 

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