Kentucky will be slight underdog for road matchup with Florida

When the Week 8 betting lines opened a couple of days ago, Kentucky (3-3; 1-3 SEC) was initially viewed as the slight favorite to beat Florida in Gainesville. But after the Wildcats lost to Vanderbilt on Saturday night 20-13, the line has shifted in favor of the Gators.

As of Sunday morning, Florida is now considered the favorite to beat Kentucky in next weekend’s SEC showdown. FanDuel has the Gators as a one-point favorite while DraftKings is giving Billy Napier’s squad a two-point edge. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:45 p.m. EST (SEC Network) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

According to ESPN Analytics, Florida has a 59.4 percent chance of beating UK. On3’s Massey Ratings give the Gators a 56 percent chance at the win with a projected final score of 24-21 in favor of UF. Neither the numbers nor the bettors will be on Kentucky’s side going into the Swamp.

Florida is coming off a loss of its own over the weekend, coming up short in overtime (23-17) on the road to No. 8 Tennessee. UF kicker Trey Smack missed a 47-yard field goal on the first possession of OT, allowing Tennessee’s Dylan Thompson to punch in the game-winning score the next time out. The Gators sit on a 3-3 overall record with a 1-2 mark in SEC play.

Kentucky is 4-2 this season against the spread. UK was a double-digit favorite when Vanderbilt came to town on Saturday before losing by seven. The total has gone under in five of the Wildcats’ last six games. Kentucky is also 8-3 against the spread over its last 11 road games. Bet responsibly, folks.