Kentucky vs. Florida Picks, Predictions Week 2 College Football: Wildcats to Test Gators in The Swamp

Philip Wood

Last Updated: September 14, 2022 11:57 AM EDT • 2 min 45 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Barion Brown #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats returns a kickoff for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami (OH) Redhawks at Kroger Field on Sept. 3. Photo by Michael Hickey / Getty Images via AFP

There's a lot of hype surrounding the Florida Gators and QB Anthony Richardson following their Week 1 upset of ranked Utah at home. Can the Kentucky Wildcats put a dent in those hopes? Have a look at our top Kentucky-Florida picks for Week 2.

Richardson was outstanding in Florida’s Week 1 victory over No. 7 Utah. The Gators quarterback threw for 168 yards, but it was in the rushing attack where he really dazzled, compiling 106 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries.

Richardson was the backup to Emory Jones last season and so he threw just one pass against the Wildcats in a 20-13 loss. In that game, Wildcats quarterback Will Levis was just 7-for-17 for 87 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. For Kentucky to win this year, Levis will need to be better, and the defense will need to slow down Richardson.

Here are our Kentucky versus Florida college football picks for Week 2 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Kentucky vs. Florida Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Weather: 88 degrees, 85% chance of precipitation, 14-mph winds

Kentucky vs. Florida Odds Analysis

Despite this being one of the marquee and most-bet games of Week 2 in college football, oddsmakers seem to have done an excellent job with their opening lines. The consensus spread hasn't budged off of the opener of Florida -6 with an even 63% of tickets and money on the Gators to win by a touchdown.

The total opened at 53 and has fallen just to 52.5. Bettors are split on the line with 68% of the tickets on the Over accounting for just 35% of the handle.

Kentucky vs. Florida Picks

Kentucky vs. Florida ATS Pick

Kentucky +6 (-110) ★★★★

Something about this line is fishy. The Gators just put on one of the most impressive performances of Week 1 and Vegas turns around and makes them less than touchdown favorites. It doesn’t make much sense, and it is exactly why the Wildcats are the play this week.

The Pac-12 looked suspect in Week 1, which has been a theme for the last few years, so it’s hard to know just how great the Gators’ win was. Meanwhile, Kentucky has been consistently good over the last few seasons, and Levis looked strong in Week 1. The Wildcats will need to establish a run game, but the final should be low enough that they keep this within six.

Kentucky vs. Florida O/U Pick

Under 51.5 (-110) ★★★

The Under has hit in two consecutive games between these two teams, including a 20-13 final last year when the total was set at 56.5. The Gators’ offense was impressive in Week 1, but Richardson was largely an unknown. The Wildcats have tape to work with now, which allows them to plan for the dual-threat QB.

The Gators' defense did what it had to do in Week 1, though the unit didn’t record any sacks and just two tackles for a loss. Florida should have an easier time getting after Levis, who was sacked four times in the Week 1 win over Miami (Ohio).

Kentucky vs. Florida Prop Pick

Richardson Over 59.5 rushing yards (-110) ★★★

Richardson will find running room against Kentucky, even if the Wildcats have a full week of tape on him to review. What makes quarterback rushing props so tough in college football is that sacks count against the quarterback's total yardage. However, the Gators did not allow a single sack in Week 1 and the Wildcats only recorded three.

Richardson handed the ball off 27 times in the season opener and the Gators’ running backs did have success running against Utah. However, Richardson had the opportunity to rattle off 11 rushing attempts of his own. This game will be tight from start to finish which will give Richardson some opportunities late in the game to break off big runs when the defense is playing a bit safer.

Where to Bet on Kentucky vs. Florida Week 2

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

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Kentucky vs. Florida picks made 9/8/2022 at 10:15 p.m. ET

Written By:
Philip Wood

Phil is a Sports Betting Analyst for Sportsbook Review and BettingPros.com, specializing in NFL and college football. He previously covered college football and college basketball for CanesInsight.com, where he also hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast. Phil is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is if a line doesn't make sense, just assume that Vegas knows something you don't. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. Some would call him a frontrunner for his love of the Yankees and the Celtics, but he's also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and will never forgive the refs for the blown pass interference call against the Cowboys in 2015.