Florida @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Kentucky 14, Florida 48

THE STORY: Strength goes against weakness as Florida travels to Kentucky for a battle between Southeastern Conference East Division foes. The No. 15 Gators rank among the top 10 nationally in three major defensive categories, while Kentucky is the lowest-scoring team in the SEC.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Florida -9.5

ABOUT FLORIDA (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Versatile playmaker Chris Rainey ranks second in the SEC in all-purpose yardage (187.7 per game) and topped 100 yards rushing and receiving in the Gators’ 33-23 victory over Tennessee. Rainey also makes an impact on special teams, where he has a conference-record five blocked punts and returned another block for a TD earlier this season. Florida leads the FBS in rushing defense (30.67 yards per game), ranks sixth in points allowed (8.67 per game) and seventh in total defense (209.3 yards).

ABOUT KENTUCKY (2-1, 0-0 SEC): Following a 24-17 loss to Louisville on Sept. 17, Kentucky plans to scale back its offensive playbook according to coach Joker Phillips. The Wildcats ran for 35 yards against Louisville and have three rushing TDs at the quarter mark of their season. Meanwhile, Kentucky has yielded 12 sacks, including six to Louisville. Health is an issue up front as well, with right tackle Billy Joe Murphy (knee) expected to miss at least another couple weeks and former all-SEC right guard Larry Warford day-to-day with an ankle injury suffered against Louisville.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Gators backup linebacker Dee Finley has been reinstated to the team following an arrest earlier this month on charges of driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest without violence.

2. Kentucky allowed 14 tackles for a loss against Louisville, and also committed three false-start penalties. That means the Wildcats went backward on 17 plays.

3. Charlie Weis, Florida’s first-year offensive coordinator, scripts out the plays for the Gators’ first few series in games. That’s a departure from the way the Gators played in the past under Urban Meyer, but it’s working. Florida has scored on its opening possession in each of its first three ballgames.

PREDICTION: Florida 42, Kentucky 14 - This is a bad matchup for Kentucky, which has struggled on offense all season and finds itself going against a Gators' defense loaded with speedy playmakers. Kentucky has a solid defense in its own right, but look for the Wildcats to wear down in the second half as Florida runs away with the game.