Florida Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018 season

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LEXINGTON, KY – SEPTEMBER 23: Tyrie Cleveland #89 of the Florida Gators runs for a touchdown whhile defended by Derrick Baity Jr #8 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on September 23, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Though this doesn’t quite have the appeal of other SEC matchups, Florida and Kentucky will kick off the conference season with a Week 2 matchup that should favor the Gators, on paper, but it may be closer than anticipated.

This will be Dan Mullen’s first SEC game as the Gators’ head coach which will add a little pressure, but he has to trust his quarterback Feleipe Franks to take advantage of a lackluster defensive backfield in Kentucky — the Wildcats do, however, bring back each starter in the defensive backfield.

Franks is developing well under Mullen this offseason and has taken the reins of the starting quarterback job. This will be his first true test as Charleston Southern will be a walk in the park with him sitting most of the second half. He’ll answer the call and pass for 275 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Gators to a nice home win.

Florida will have a tough time slowing down Benny Snell and the Wildcats’ run game which will make this a close call, but the Gators’ secondary will swallow Terry Wilson and the Kentucky passing attack.

Final Score: Kentucky 24, Florida 27 (2-0, 1-0 SEC)

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