No. 20 Florida seeks 31st straight series win over Kentucky

Posted September 21, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

No. 20 Florida (1-1, 1-0 SEC) at Kentucky (3-0, 1-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Line: Florida by 5 ˆ½.

Series Record: Florida leads 50-17.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Early control of the SEC East. Florida looks to follow up its 26-20, Hail-Mary escape over Tennessee by extending its winning streak over Kentucky to 31 games. The Gators' streak is the nation's longest active string in FBS. Kentucky hasn't started 2-0 in SEC play since going unbeaten in 1977 but aims to end its frustration against the Gators and establish itself as a division contender.

KEY MATCHUP

Florida QB Feleipe Franks vs. Kentucky's secondary. After stunning Tennessee with his 63-yard, last-play touchdown pass, Franks faces a secondary that ranks next to last in the SEC in pass defense (289.7 yards per game). Opponents have completed 64.2 percent of attempts against the Wildcats, creating a big opportunity for Franks. Florida might have to throw with Kentucky allowing an SEC-low 57 yards per game on the ground.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida: DB C.J. Henderson is making a big splash for the Gators in just two games. The freshman returned an interception for a touchdown for the second consecutive week, the only true first-year player to do so since 1996. He's already tied the program season mark for pick-sixes and is just two from the career record.

Kentucky: RB Benny Snell has rebounded from a shaky debut to look like a 1,000-yard rusher again. The sophomore has posted consecutive 100-yard efforts with three TDs and ranks seventh in the SEC at 90.7 yards per contest.

FACTS & FIGURES

Florida's current streak over Kentucky ranks fourth all-time in uninterrupted series and is just two behind Oklahoma (vs. Kansas State, 1937-68). ... The Gators are third in the SEC in sacks per game (3.0) and tackles for loss (8.0). ... Kentucky looks to start 4-0 for the first time since 2008. ... The Wildcats are 10-4 in their last 14 games, with four road wins. ... Kentucky's run defense ranks third nationally, allowing 57 yards per game.

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