Kelly Rae Finley begins season Number three with renewed energy and attention to detail By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com The Florida Gators women’s basketball team began preseason practice this week, looking to take another step forward under coach Kelly Rae Finley. The team Finley says is “fun to coach” had a different bounce to it from the start. And we don't mean the dribble. Now in her third season, Finley is placing the responsibility of the team's leadership on experienced players such as Alberte Rimdal, Jeriah Warren, Zippy Broughton and transfer guard Ayiah Matharu. Finley and her staff has consistently reinforced communication on defense, attention to technique and the need for intentional offense. Finley reinforced her philosophy of a strict offensive structure, encouraging her team to be efficient with the basketball, while exercising the freedom to score the basketball when the opportunity presents itself. Florida Women's Basketball Kelly Rae Finley (Chris Spears photo) The work that the team put in during the offseason was evident in the speed and overall athleticism. In particular post player Ra Shaya “Big Shay” Kyle, who was working her way into shape a year ago, appears to be leaner and faster this season. Kyle, who transferred from Purdue in 2022, is more in tune to Finley’s coachable moments and it seems to resonate to her teammates as well. Also notable is the work that combo guard Alberte Rimdal has put in to continue to improve her strength and overall game. Rimdal spent part of the summer as a member of the Denmark Women’s National Team and now looks to be a stronger on the ball defender and exhibits improved lift on her jump shot. “I’m so excited, we have been working all summer, so it’s really good to be out here today”, Rimdal said. “I think we did really good (today). We competed, and we’ve been working hard,” Now in her third season, the junior guard is ready to take on more of leadership role. “I’m definitely trying take more of a leadership role. I feel like it’s my time to step up and help lead the team.” Rimdal expressed her appreciation for the example that former Florida Gator and All-SEC performer Keke Smith set for her and her teammates two seasons ago. When asked what impressed her most about Smith Rimdal expressed, “her competiveness and her will to do everything it takes to be great as a team.” Junior guard and Danish National Team member Alberte Rimdal (Chris Spears photo) The Gators will enter the 2023 season looking to improve on last year's 16-13 overall record. The team is also primed to make its third consecutive postseason appearance for the first time since 2014. After making the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022, the Gators reached the Great 8 of the Women’s Postseason NIT Tournament before falling to Bowling Green in that round. Finley is 37-24 as the coach of the Gators and a third consecutive winning campaign would make her the first Gator coach since Carol Ross (1991-1993) to begin their Florida tenure with three consecutive winning seasons. The Gators open their season Nov. 6 at Exacech Arena against North Florida.

It’s football. A sport in which the Gators have owned the Wildcats. Seventy-three times these two teams have played football and 53 of those have been won by Florida. If this were a Bourbon tasting contest or perhaps a basketball game, I might concede Kentucky should be the favorite. And I guess in basketball too, although there’s been some evening out of that series over recent years. But this is college football, Florida versus Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium on Kroger Field Saturday at noon and, as we speak, the point spread differential is shrinking by the second. It’s because, after all, this is Florida versus Kentucky. It’s not a bourbon tasting competition. It’s not a basketball game. It’s not horse racing. (Although as a native Öcalan, I don’t necessarily concede all races between the Florida and Kentucky breds to the Bluegrass State.) It’s football. A sport in which the Gators have owned the Wildcats. Seventy-three times these two teams have played football and 53 of those have been won by Florida. It took until the Trump Era in 2018 to end a Florida winning streak that began in the Reagan Era in 1986. Only once has Florida lost more than two in a row. Do the math. This would be a third straight UK victory if the Wildcats win Saturday, tying Bear Bryant's streak. That just defies college football's gravity — and I don’t think it’s gonna happen. The bettors are starting to lean that way, too. The line opened with Kentucky a 3.5-point favorite. By Thursday it was down to 1 and trending toward even. Smart money says that by game time Florida could even be favored. (By dark Thursday, the betting line for #Gators visit to Kentucky was down to minus-1) Why? The Gators are a better football team with an emerging quarterback to go with a tandem of running backs some say are the best twosome in the country. Their young talent at receiver to go with the all-world Ricky Pearsall, plus a quick repair job to the offensive line, strikes a fancy as chain movers. The new-found weaponry of Trey Smack’s foot is a welcomed addition to the arsenal. Austin Armstrong is a hot young DC in attack mode which will likely bring more heat in the kitchen of Devin Leary than Gordon Ramsay’s TruConvecCovection Cooking System. His exotic pressures are a work of art and the likelihood of them coercing Leary into a sixth pick of the season isn’t actually all that unthinkable. A close colleague of mine who knows football at the highest level contends that “we are better on defense over last year at all 11 positions." On the flip side, the offense has to remember the snap count, Graham Mertz must stay ahead in the sticks and continue to not throw to the wrong colored jerseys. And the coaches must get 11 players on the field. The so-called Game Changers who were nicknamed that as special teamers must finally change a game -- for the better. The consensus is that if the Gators don’t beat themselves they will beat the Wildcats. A third straight win over Florida? Sorry, Mark Stoops is no Bear Bryant. As I said, that just defies college football gravity — and I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I think the prophecy that Florida is a better football program with a better team and that will rule the day. And that Sir Isaac Newton’s law of gravity, first consolidated with a bunch of other theories in 1867, will hold true.

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: The best news coming out of Billy Napier’s Wednesday evening press conference was that center Kingsley Eguakun is healthy enough to play against the Kentucky Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 SEC) Saturday (12 noon, ESPN). Eguakun who started 26 consecutive Florida games in 2021-22, has only played once all year and that’s when the 22nd-ranked Gators (3-1, 1-0 SEC) beat then 9th-ranked Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. “I think Kingsley’s presence affects our offensive unit,” Napier said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt. Experience, there’s no value, no price tag you can put on it, the guy’s ability. He’s comfortable, he’s been there, he’s a really good communicator. He’s got an edge about him that rubs off on the other guys. It will be a big deal. He showed some toughness this week relative to what he’s been about to do. So tomorrow’s going to be important to him all the way up until we kick it off he continues to work hard at it.” In the two games played against Division I opponents in which Eguakun did not play, the Gators allowed eight sacks. In Eguakun’s one start against Tennessee, which is tied for first nationally in sacks, the Vols only got to quarterback Graham Mertz one time. Eguakun is an efficient blocker, but his real value is in his ability to get the entire offensive line on the same page. He might be the best center in the entire Southeastern Conference when it comes to making the correct line calls. A year ago, the Gators were among the nation’s leaders in fewest sacks allowed and highest average gain per carry. The return of Eguakun to the lineup isn’t the only good news ahead of the Kentucky game. Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, injured in the first half of the Tennessee game and absent last week against Charlotte, is listed as a starter. Wilson is a make you miss type who can turn a 2-yard pass or a jet sweep into a big gainer. Prior to his injury, Wilson had 12 catches for 104 yards and two carries for 27 yards. “Our players, our DBs know, the guy’s a unique player,” Napier said. “He has unique acceleration. He has unique instincts, vision, ball skills, hand selection, run after catch. It’s not too big for him. It’s always good. When he’s in here.” Napier on the emerging linebacker duo of Shemar James and Scooby Williams: “They’re some of the better practice players. Shemar James, you know, his output in practice is second-to-none every day. I mean, he’s playing fast, practicing fast. And Scooby, to compliment Scooby, Scooby has been banged up but he’s going. He’s practicing. He’s shown some toughness and grit to be able I’m proud of the way that both have improved as communicators.” Napier on the Gators’ focus in practice this week: “I think the players have responded the right way this week. We were a little sharper today than yesterday and that’s what you would expect because you go back and fix some things from Tuesday. And you know, as we continue to prepare all the way to kickoff, we’ll need to be detailing out the plan.” UF volleyball: Gators go down in five sets to Texas A&M The Gators (10-2, 2-1 SEC) were handed their first loss of the season in five sets Wednesday night at the O-Dome. The Gators held a 2-1 lead but the Aggies rallied to take a 26-24 win in the fourth set and then finished off the Gators 15-13 in the fifth. The Gators hit only .217 for the entire match. Florida committed 24 attack errors and 12 service errors. Kennedy Martin led the Gators with 16 kills to go with nine digs and three blocks. Kennedy Muff had 42 assists and 13 digs. Ellie McKissick had 19 digs and seven assists. The Gators will be on the road at South Carolina Sunday. SEC football No. 12 Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Linebacker Deontae Lawson and offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson both missed practice Wednesday so they’re doubtful for Saturday’s game with Mississippi State. Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC): HBC Sam Pittman is optimistic stud running back Rocket Sanders will be able to play against Texas A&M Saturday. Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Hugh Freeze says he told QB Payton Thorne that the Auburn coaching would do a “better job coaching this week and preparing him.” No. 1 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, last season’s to pass catcher, has returned to practice. Kentucky (4-0, 1-0 SEC): The Wildcats are expected to keep Eli Cox at center and Jager Burton at right guard against the Gators. They swapped positions last week after Burton had problems with his shot gun snaps. No. 13 LSU (3-1, 2-0 SEC): The Tigers are only 2.5-point favorites on the road against Ole Miss in Oxford this weekend. Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2 SEC): HBC Zach Arnett says Alabama is “as talented a program, roster, as any team in the country. Defensively, they’re playing as good as anyone in the country, lights out.” Missouri (4-0, 0-0 SEC): Sophomore wide receiver Luther Burden II already has more receiving yards (504) in four games than he had last year in 13 (457). No. 20 Ole Miss (3-1, 0-1 SEC): On the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Lane Kiffin said the Rebels are “locked in, focused on a huge game” this week as they prepare for No. 13 LSU. South Carolina (2-2, 1-1 SEC): Wide receiver Juice Wells will be out for a second straight week. Offensive tackle Jaylen Nichols is questionable to return to action this season. No. 19 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC): To handle South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, HBC Josh Heupel says, “We’ve got to do a good job up front and on the second and third levels in our coverage.” A year ago, Rattler hit 30-37 passes for 438 yards and six TDPs against the Vols. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Conner Weigman is done for the year with a broken foot so Max Johnson is the starting QB for the Aggies. Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1 SEC): The Commodores, who have yet to beat the spread this year, are 14-point underdogs against Missouri. Countdown to Firing Day: September 20, 2023 Extinct Species List Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: K-State’s Chris Klieman has let the Michigan State people know he’s not the least bit interested. Mel Tucker, Michigan State: It’s official. Tucker has been fired with cause. That will probably be challenged in court, but MSU most likely wins because there was a moral turpitude clause in his contract. Tucker says he got a raw deal, but he did admit that he had phone sex with the woman. That admission alone invokes the moral turpitude clause. You just lost $75 million, Mel. On Life Support Butch Jones, Arkansas State: He’s got a two-game winning streak and one of the wins was against a Division I team. It’s almost certain he gets three in a row this week against UMass. If he can somehow break even, they won’t find the $1 million to buy him out. Tom Allen, Indiana: The Whose Yours almost lost to Akron last week. Maryland and Michigan are the next two games followed by a Rutgers team that’s surprisingly good. They probably won’t fire him during the season but he’s got a foot out the door already. Mike Bloomgren, Rice: There are at least four very winnable games left on the schedule for the Owls who are already a very surprising 2-2. Six wins means a bowl game and a bowl game moves Bloomgren back to the Endangered Species List. The Wandering QB, JT Daniels, has already thrown 11 TDPs. Danny Gonzales, New Mexico: The Lobos beat UMass, but that might be the last game they win all season. It’s simply a matter of when he gets the pink slip not if. Buyout is a mere $400,000. Dana Holgerson, Houston: The Cougars are 2-2, but the wins are against Texas-San Antonio and Sam Houston State, teams you would expect them to beat. The next four games all look like losses. Not a lot of bang for $4 million bucks a year. Tony Elliott, Virginia: The Wahoos get Boston College this week. Whoever loses might get pink slipped first since Jeff Hafley is also on the chopping block. A loss and Elliott is 1-15 since being hired. He came from Clemson and Virginia boosters thought they were getting so much more. Endangered Species List Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M: The next three games are Arkansas, Alabama and at Tennessee. The Aggies really need to go 3-0 if they’re going to lower the heat on Jimbo. Circle that Alabama game. He’ll get a lot of traction if he can win that one, but realistically, Jimbo needs a 9-win season. Or more. Even that might not be enough because only God and the Longhorns have more money than the Aggies. $75 million is a drop in their proverbial financial ocean. Neal Brown, West Virginia: The Mounties are 3-1, and there’s every good chance they’ll get to the six-win threshold. That will save him only because WVU can’t hold enough bake sales or car washes to raise the $13 million it would take to buy him out. Jeff Hafley, Boston College: They really don’t have the cash to buy him out, but the natives are getting very, very restless. BC is 1-3 and the last loss was a 56-28 pasting by Louisville. Virginia is on the schedule this week and it’s a must win. Strange that an 0-4 team that sucks is must win, but that’s just how hot Hafley’s seat is. Dino Babers, Syracuse: The Orange are 4-0 but the next three are Clemson, North Carolina and Florida State. If the Orange go 0-3 the heat will be back on. If there is a saving grace for Dino, it’s the $10.5 million buyout. Ken Wilson, Nevada: Nevada is 0-4 with Fresno on the schedule this week. It’s going to be a blowout. There won’t be a mid-season firing because Nevada is hurting for money. That $1.8 million buyout looks big. Dave Aranda, Baylor: Baylor is 1-3 after the blowout loss to Texas last week. Aranda needs to win at least five of the remaining eight games, six if he wants to be comfortable. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Apparently, the 6+6 format will stand for the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff in 2024. Under the 6+6, the six highest ranked conference champions will make the playoff field along with six at-large teams. With the Pac-12 reduced to two teams after the 2023 athletic year, there was a push among most of the power conferences to go to a 5+7 format which would guarantee one Group of Five champ in the field to go with seven at-large berths. To change from 6+6 to 5+7 would have required a unanimous vote, but 6+6 means at least two Group of Five champs will be in the field. They weren’t about to give up one guaranteed spot in the field. There will be continued debate about what happens after 2024. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is in favor of the best 12 teams making the field regardless of champions. Sankey is the most powerful man in all of college sports, but it only takes one look at the current Associated Press rankings to understands why he won’t get his way. Fresno State, ranked 25th, is the only Group of Five team to crack the AP poll. At some point, the networks need to push for a pair of playoffs, one for the top teams from the power conferences, the other for the Group of Five. The only way the Group of Five would agree to split things up would be for a network to come up with a deal that would make it financially feasible to split from the CFP to have its own championship tournament. Two tournaments with teams playing for championships would beat the hell out of the current bowl system.

Can Billy Napier match Mark Stoops fire and leave Lexington with a win? By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst The Florida Gators will travel to Lexington Saturday to play the Kentucky Wildcats in a game which is now close to even in the betting line. The noon kickoff will be the first day game in the series since 2020. Florida’s last trip to Lexington in 2021 was marred in multiple procedural penalties that had a huge impact on the outcome of the game. The Gators fell to Kentucky in 2022, losing back to back games in the series for the first time since the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Last year’s contest l was a sloppy slugfest with both teams combining for three turnovers -- the biggest being an ill-advised throw by Anthony Richardson that Kentucky defensive back Keidron Smith returned 65 yards for what would be the deciding score. With Richardson and (Kentucky quarterback) Will Levis off to the NFL the focus is now on transfers Florida’s Graham Mertz and Kentucky’s Devin Leary (NC state) who now lead their respective teams. Mertz has been as efficient as any quarterback in the SEC, while Leary has been up and down in his first year under new (for the second time) offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. With both defenses playing well early in the season this could mirror the Tennessee game --the quarterback that plays the best could rule the day. The Gators have an opportunity for a second signature win in the Billy Napier era while Kentucky will look to take its third straight win in this series, Kentucky Offense: Key Players: #13 QB Devin Leary (6-1, 217, Sr.), #1 RB Ray Davis (5-10,216, Sr.), #4 RB JuTahn McClain (5-9, 198, Sr.), #6 WR Dane Key (6-3, 195, So.) #7 WR Barrion Brown (6-1, 166, So.), #9 WR Tayvion Robinson (5-11, 194, R-Sr.), #85 TE Jordan Dingle (6-4, 238, So.) Quarterback Devin Leary arrived in Lexington from North Carolina State as the Wildcats' best option at quarterback since Andre Woodson. So far, the results have been mixed as Leary has thrown for nine touchdowns against five interceptions. Regardless of who is behind center Kentucky has made its living on the running game under Mike Stoops. Stoops and company hang their hat on a physical running game highlighted by physical play up front and a diverse complement of running backs. The offensive line is in the process of a remodel with top offensive lineman Kenneth Horsey doubtful for the game, but the Wildcats have two home run type backs with Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis and Jutahn McClain. Davis Vanderbilt in rushing a year ago and found success against the Gators last season rushing for 122 yards on 30 carries. McClain has the ability to go the distance and opened the scoring against Vanderbilt with a 56-yard TD run. Where the offense stands out for Kentucky is with a trio of receivers that could be the best group in school history. Dane Key, Barrion Brown and Tayvion Robinson offer Leary three targets that are a threat at all three levels in the passing game. Key is a big body with a large catch radius while Brown and Robinson are excellent route runners with excellent run after the catch ability. Robinson offers versatility as a ball carrier and both he and Brown can be effective in the return game. This is a unit with three legitimate athletes that will certainly play on Sundays. Offensively Kentucky could possibly be the toughest test to date for the Gators. Kentucky will employ a number of different formations to force the Gators to keep coverage and fronts basic and give Leary a clear picture of the Gator defense. The Florida secondary faced a tough task against the passing game of Tennessee two weeks ago and Kentucky could be a much taller order. It would not be a total surprise if Kentucky would utilize the same strategy as Utah and go for the gut punch with a deep shot right from the start. Unlike Joe Milton, Leary is a more stationary target and this is where the Florida defense could flourish. If Davis and McClain can be kept in check early Florida could get exotic with its pass rush and force Leary to throw his sixth interception after only throwing five total for North Carolina State in 2022. Kentucky Defense: Key Players: #0 DL Deone Walker (6-6, 348, So.), #34 LB Trevin Wallace (6-2, 241, Jr.) #13 LB JJ Weaver (6-5, 244, Sr.), #54 LB D’Eryk Jackson (6-1, 245, Sr.), #25 DB Jordan Lovett (6-2, 195, So.), #31 DB Maxwell Hairston (6-1, 181, So.) #4 Jalen Geiger (6-1, 199, Sr.) The Kentucky defense is a clear representation of what Kentucky has been under Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad Smith. The Kentucky defense has been very solid particularly against the run where they currently lead the SEC allowing just 77 yards per game. Arguably the most talented player on the entire roster could be defensive tackle Deone Walker, a Freshman All-American who is an NFL-caliber prospect. At linebacker the Wildcats lost stalwarts Deandre Square and Jaquez Jones but so far Trevin Wallace and returning starter D’Eryk Jackson have been more than serviceable. At outside linebacker JJ Weaver should be a household name to Gator fans as he has been a key figure in the last three games against the Gators. Weaver was the Wildcats leading tackler in the game a year ago with a game-high nine tackles. The Wildcats return only one full-time starter in a secondary that has been up and down to start the season. The Wildcats currently rank 94th nationally in pass defense but average at least one interception in every game this season. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston emerged last week as his two interception (one for a touchdown) performance against Vanderbilt earned him both SEC Defensive and Bronco Nagurski Player of the Week honors. Along with Hairston, free safety Jordan Lovett returns in the secondary as well as the steady Jalen Geiger who left last year’s game on the first series with a season-ending knee injury. Geiger has begun to ease back into his role and could help steady a secondary that is continuing to round into form. This matchup is another that will be played in a phone booth. Florida wants to control the clock and play on Kentucky’s side of the line scrimmage. Kentucky’s defensive front lives off their ability to return the favor. With the return of Florida center Kingsley Eguakun and right guard Micah Mazzccua the Gators will have a the same unit that was able to rush for over 180 yards against a solid Tennessee front. Eguakun was a clear difference maker in that game and his matchup with both Walker and nose guard Josaih Hayes could prove to be the difference. The Skinny: The. Gators have been anything but road warriors under Billy Napier. In fact when they travel the Gators have looked like a totally different team. The SEC is a two-prong league. Teams win when they are solid in the trenches and when they can load up their packs, go on the road and take care of business in some of college football’s most hostile environments. While Saturday's game takes place in the middle of the day, that is plenty of time for the bourbon to flow freely in the Bluegrass State. It will still be loud. The monkey has long been off the Wildcats back when it comes to the Gators and this is a game Kentucky has circled as a win for the last 4 years. The Gators however continue to play the complimentary football that Coach Billy Napier consistently preaches and they have a signal caller that plays the type of football that lends itself to solid results at home or on the road. This will be by far the best defensive front the Wildcats have faced this year and Cam Jackson, Caleb Banks, Princley Umanmielen and company continue to improve under Austin Armstrong. Without its best lineman the “Great Blue Wall” is not the same. Mark Stoops has been able to motivate his team to match and surpass the intensity of the Gators in the past two contest. Can Coach Napier match his fire? The answer is yes. Florida sticks to the script. The Gators run the ball, play good defense, and go home. Prediction: Florida Gators 24 Kentucky Wildcats 20

The Florida Gators are heading to Lexington to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats this week. Florida will welcome the return of several key players from injury and the reinstatement of two players previously suspended. Both teams are going for a strong start in conference play, trying to improve to a 2-0 record. The Wildcats, currently 1-0 in the SEC after a victory against Vanderbilt, have to face the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs right after they host Florida. In terms of roster updates, starting center Kingsley Eguakun, who was sidelined with an ankle injury for three out of four games, is now listed as fit and set to start. Freshman receiver Eugene Wilson, who had been recovering from a collarbone injury, has been cleared and is slated as a starter for the upcoming game. Due to Dante Zanders' absence, Arlis Boardingham and Hayden Hansen have been placed at the top of the depth chart for tight end positions. Trey Smack, previously handling only kickoff duties, is now the designated starting kicker. Smack's impressive 5-5 performance on field goals in the previous week earned him the title of SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Additionally, Kamryn Waites, who recovered from an Achilles tendon tear, has made his appearance into the depth chart. Micah Mazzccua is also set to make a return for the Gators after serving his suspension for the scuffle at the end of the Tennessee game. On the injury front, Marcus Bure and Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman are listed as questionable, while Tony Livingston and Ja'Markis Weston are ruled out. Observations: Eugene Wilson's Return: Wilson's comeback injects a new dimension into the Gators' offense. His explosiveness and playmaking ability add a level of excitement and a new element to the offense. Before getting hurt against Tennessee, Wilson had secured six catches just on the opening drive/ Kingsley Eguakun's Impact: Eguakun's return is highly anticipated and could be a game-changer for Florida's offense. While Jake Slaughter has held his own, Eguakun's presence is expected to bring significant improvement to the run game and offensive line as a whole. Trey Smack Takes the Lead: The Gators have officially designated Trey Smack as their primary placekicker, removing the previous "or" designation. Smack's outstanding performance in the previous game, including a career-long 54-yard field goal, solidified his position.

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: The Kentucky Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 SEC) are a very good football team, no question about it, but let’s not go overboard with the praise. It’s not like the 22nd-ranked Florida Gators (3-1, 1-0 SEC) are Saturday playing a team destined for Atlanta. In fact, the Wildcats are more likely on track for another visit to their winter home, the Music City Bowl in Nashville. It isn’t fair to call the Wildcats overrated since we’re just 1/3 of the way through the 2023 season, but take a look at Kentucky’s four wins: Ball State (1-3) of the Mighty MAC, D1AA Eastern Kentucky (1-3), Akron of the Mighty Mac (1-3) and everybody’s favorite Southeastern Conference homecoming opponent, Vanderbilt (2-3). Of the five wins so far by Kentucky’s four opponents, four have come against D1AA teams. That’s not exactly murderer’s row. To call it a weak schedule would be an insult to Georgia, but do understand this basic concept. Kentucky historically plays a weak non-conference schedule because three wins against cupcakes get the Wildcats halfway to bowl eligibility. That’s a big deal at UK where they began playing college football in 1881 and have been to exactly 21 bowl games in school history. A better way to describe it, Kentucky measures success in the football equivalent of dog years. One human year is six dog years. One Kentucky bowl year is like seven (do the math) everywhere else. Kentucky isn’t going to Atlanta this year and donkeys may fly before they ever make it to the SEC Championship Game, much less the College Football Playoff. If the Wildcats can break even by winning four of their eight remaining games, they probably will get a bowl game in Florida. What a concept. While fans take a breather from Kentucky’s non-conference basketball schedule to contemplate a run at what could be a 50th SEC hoops championship, they could get a few days in Florida where it’s sure to be warmer and sunnier than Lexington. Kentucky has won two SEC titles in football, the first way back in 1950 when Bear Bryant was the coach. Three years later they foolishly ran him off. It took nearly 60 years for Mark Stoops to surpass Bryant’s 60 wins to become the winningest coach in school history. There was a second SEC title in 1976 but that one is tainted because then head coach Fran Curci never met a recruiting rule he couldn’t break. The long arm of the NCAA law slapped the Wildcats silly for that one. There are no national championships in football although the 1950 team would have won one except the Associated Press voted for the national championship BEFORE the bowl games in those days. Kentucky lost one game that year but did beat national champ Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. They are learning to appreciate football at Kentucky but any blueblood UK fan would be lying to say there will ever be a day when football is more important than basketball, which has won 49 SEC and eight NCAA basketball titles. Football’s chief importance is the money it helps the SEC bring in through its media contract. While basketball is indeed a revenue sport at Kentucky, football is the sport that pays for all the other sports thanks to the SEC. Kentucky doesn’t prioritize football in the same way they do at Florida, Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and every other SEC school not named Vanderbilt, which is why losing a football game to the Wildcats is so aggravating. It’s one thing to lose a game to a football school that understands this is the south where football ranks just behind the Baptists as the region’s most important religion. It is irritating to the core of every serious football fan to hear midnight madness tickets being scalped at halftime of a September or early October football game. Saturday, the Gators need to play aggravated from start to finish because they’ve taken their foot off the Kentucky football larynx and allowed the Wildcats to breathe in recent years. This will be the 74th game in the series in which Florida holds a 53-20 lead, 22-11 in Lexington. What was once a death and taxes game for the Wildcats – like death and taxes they knew they would lose to the Gators – is now one in which Kentucky thinks it has Florida’s number. From 1978-2017 the Gators won 31 consecutive games against the Wildcats. It wasn’t until 2018 in Dan Mullen’s first year on the Florida job that the Wildcats broke the streak by knocking off the Gators, 27-16, in, of all places, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators won in Lexington in 2019, a game that will always be remembered as the night Kyle Trask made us all wonder what the hell had been going on in Dan Mullen’s head to start Feleipe Franks at QB. When Franks went down with a broken and dislocated ankle in the fourth quarter, the Gators were well on their way to a second straight loss to the Wildcats. Trask led the Gators to 19 consecutive points and went on to lead the Gators to an 11-2 record. Trask carved up the Wildcats for a 34-10 win during the COVID year of 2020. Since then, it’s been all Kentucky. The Wildcats beat the Gators 20-13 in 2021 and last year they left The Swamp with a 26-16 win. Losing to Kentucky is not something that is supposed to happen, at least not in football. Whenever it happens it is an embarrassment because Florida always has the upper hand when it comes to recruiting football players. None of the three Kentucky teams that has beaten the Gators since 2018 did it with superior personnel. In 2018, the Gators lost because Franks had a miserable night throwing the ball and the Florida defense obviously never got the bulletin that they were allowed to tackle Benny Snell (175 of Kentucky’s 303 rushing yards). In 2021, Todd Grantham’s defense did show up, holding Kentucky to 224 total yards, but the undisciplined Gators committed 15 penalties to derail any chance of winning. A week after playing so brilliantly in the season-opening win over Utah last year, Anthony Richardson had one of those games to forget. On a rare night when the Florida defense showed up, the UF offense didn’t and the Gators lost by 10. That brings us to Saturday. Once 4-point underdogs, the line has dipped all the way down to a point as of Tuesday night. So, it’s pick’em in the eyes of the oddsmakers in Las Vegas. This is a game the Gators could and should win as long as they remember to leave the silliness at the hotel. The Gators could have and should have beaten Utah in game one if they hadn’t given it away with self-inflicted wounds. If the Gators don’t beat themselves Saturday afternoon, they should leave Lexington with their first 4-game winning streak since 2020. Until then, however, the talking heads can be expected to pat Mark Stoops on the back so many times he will require a dermatologist to shave down the callous. Now, Mark Stoops is a very good football coach. He’s taken the Wildcats to seven straight bowl games and a 51-29 record since 2017. They erect statues of football coaches who go 51-29 at Kentucky outside Commonwealth Stadium. At Florida, 51-29 over a seven-year stretch sends you off somewhere to spend millions of buyout dollars. Many of those same talking heads will describe Saturday’s game as a must win for Florida coach Billy Napier, but it isn’t. He’s not on the hotseat and he’s going to be coaching here longer than any of his three predecessors – Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain and Mullen. Napier is putting in a firm foundation and he does indeed know how to recruit. Two weeks ago, Napier outcoached Josh Heupel and the Gators outplayed Tennessee to stick a sock in the mouth of some of the critics. Billy knows how aggravating it would be to lose to Kentucky. The Florida team knows it as well and they should show up at Commonwealth Stadium laser-focused and ready to win. The only aggravation in Lexington Saturday will be Florida taking out two years worth on the Wildcats. SEC football No. 12 Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Dallas Turner was named Chuck Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Ole Miss in which he had two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Running back Rocket Sanders remains day-to-day for Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Asked if Payton Thorne will start at QB against Georgia, HBC Hugh Freeze replied, “We’re still wading through that but that’s probably where we’ll land this week.” No. 1 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Georgia is surprisingly just a 14.5-point favorite on the road at Auburn on Saturday. Kentucky (4-0, 1-0 SEC): DB Maxwell Hairston was named Bronko Nagurski Award National Defensive Player of the Week after two pick-sixes against Akron. No. 13 LSU (3-1, 2-0 SEC): Tight end Mason Taylor (ankle), edge rusher Ovie Oghoufu (ankle) and linebacker Omar Speights (hip flexor) are all listed probable for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss. Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2 SEC): When first year offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay moved from the sideline to the booth last week, the Bulldogs scored 31 points and gained 519 yards against South Carolina. Barbay will be in the booth again this week against Alabama. No. 23 Missouri (4-0, 0-0 SEC): Despite winning the last two games, Missouri is only 3-21 on third down conversions including 0-8 last week against Memphis. No. 20 Ole Miss (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Tight end Michael Trigg, a 5-star Southern Cal recruit who transferred to Ole Miss, is no longer with the team. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC): New coordinator Dowell Loggains may have juiced up the passing game (340 yards per game) but the Gamecocks rank dead last in the SEC in rushing at 75.75 yards per game. No. 19 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC): D-line coach Rodney Garner says freshman Daevin Hobbs reminds him of former All-American and All-Pro Richard Seymour, who Garner coached at Georgia. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Conner Weigman remains day-to-day leading to speculation that Max Johnson will get the start at QB against Arkansas Saturday. Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1 SEC): HBC Clark Lea says the status of injured QB AJ Swann is “to be determined” as the Commodores prep for Saturday’s matchup with Missouri. Swann’s injury is being called an arm strain. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The conference commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick are meeting in Rosemont, Illinois today to discuss what’s ahead for the College Football Playoff. The playoff goes from four to six teams in 2024 with an already approved 6+6 format – the six highest ranked conference champs plus six at-large. With the demise of the Pac-12, the power conferences would prefer a 5+7 format which would still guarantee at least one Group of Five champ. The Group of Five plans to fight back and they do have clout since any format change has to be unanimously approved. It's not just the Group of Five holding a wild card, however. There is that matter of the Pac-2, the orphans from the 10-team departures from the Pac-12. Oregon State and Washington State may have legal precedent and by-laws on their side in their lawsuit to hold onto the Pac-12 name, its assets and CFP payouts as well as Power Five membership for at least two more years, at which time they could instigate a merger with the Mountain West or selectively poach the MWC. So, what happens if the CFP goes to a 5+7 minus the Pac-12, then in two years the Pac-12 re-emerges, a viable league that maintains its Power Five status? By all means, stay tuned, because this is probably going to get quite juicy!

It may be the Bluegrass of Kentucky but right now I’m seeing green for Napier’s team. I don’t know exactly why I feel this way, but Saturday in Lexington, Florida has a chance to relaunch its football program into to the proper groove. It’s possible -- and even probable -- that this will happen. In game where the home team is only favored by a field goal, that tells you the wise guys in Vegas think these two opponents are evenly matched. Go ahead you non-believers, hit me up with that “Sunshine Pumper” tag. For almost 50 years I’ve been picking Florida football games with my gut. And I’ve been right more times than not. Once I even wrote about the time I was not able to discern the 1994 Florida-FSU winner and as I was walking out the door of my Ocala home on the way to Tallahassee, I couldn’t come up with one. “Honestly, I feel this game could be a tie,” I said, deciphering it with my magical powers. Final score: Florida 31, FSU 31. AKA “The Choke at Doak.” An infamous day in Gator football history. So much for Harry Potter magic, although the Gators could use a little of that Saturday at noon in Lexington, too. Now that they’re finally ranked, an SEC victory on the road might spike the Gators into the Top 20. Why do I feel the odds of these things happening are very good? I've just got that feeling. Now you’ll want some analysis and some analytics, but I don’t have any, unless I steal them from somewhere else. It may be the Bluegrass of Kentucky but right now I’m seeing green grass ahead for Napier’s team. Here, let me give you a few reasons. Despite not being able to punch the ball in the end zone against Charlotte, I see a solid running game and excellent quarterback play. I also see the emergence of other offensive players, like young wide receivers who can be penciled in as future contributors or even stars. I see a solid, reliable field goal kicker who can be counted on in tight games like this one might be. I see an offensive line that will be back together after missing three starters in a lackluster showing vs. Charlotte. Which is what we saw, along with uninspired play-calling red zone ineptitude. I see some really good players developing on defense and a young DC who seems like a worthy ringmaster that has their attention. And a head coach who knows how to fix what’s broken. And let’s get this on the table: Mark Stoops may have finally beaten Florida, but Nick Saban he is not. There is this matter of seeing Napier’s team perform in synchronization on the road, something that Dan Mullen’s 2021 team could not do the last time Florida went to Kentucky, suffering 15 penalties on the offensive line and a ton of false starts. “I think that was a part of last year, playing on the road,” Napier said in his Monday presser. ”I think we played at Tennessee early last year on the road, and we procedurally were pretty good. I think, as a result of the conversations about the year prior. So that's in the past. I think we've resolved that for the most part. Obviously it's part of playing on the road in this league. It's going to be challenging. We've got to do a good job with the nonverbal count. I think, for the most part, when we've done that, we've done a decent job. “But those are some of the challenges that are an issue with going on the road. You see it every week in college football. It's like every game you turn on where -- I mean, look at the teams that have to play here. I'm hopeful that the things that we've done in training camp and the things that we do throughout the week can replicate that for the players. If not, we've got to evaluate our process and think about what we can do better for the players.” Let’s flash back to some impressive things we saw in the game at The Swamp. First off, the Ricky Pearsall catch was something to behold, like a Monet or Picasso in motion, pulling down that one-handed pass and latching onto the football as if were a magnet and somehow remaining in control despite being blasted by three Charlotte defenders. I’ve seen some remarkable catches on Steve Spurrier-Florida Field over the past 50 years, but none better. Then the evolving leadership of Graham Mertz. Watching him on the Paul Finebaum Show Monday, Mertz looked poised, confident and competent, giving off a vibe that Gator fans could be proud of. It’s darn near time for some of his detractors to cue up the crow sandwich. Clearly this young man's skill and talent has been disrespected. "Graham's made our team better," declared Napier. "His work habits, his attitude, his practice approach, the way he prepares, his leadership. I think this guy has done a really good job for our team. "He's playing at a high level. We need to keep him cleaner. He got hit a few too many times on Saturday, but the ball's going where it's supposed to go. The guy's been really accurate. And Saturday -- look, I think, if you charted the incompletions, some of those are bad design and some of those are drops, so I think -- or maybe he's throwing it away because of the rush. So he's playing really efficient for us right now." On the road in Commonwealth Stadium is hardly more daunting than taking snaps in The Shoe in Columbus or The Big House in Ann Arbor. I truly think that if it comes down to Mertz making a play to win against Kentucky, he's good to go. And that's why I think the Gators will come away from Lexington with yet another W -- and if you're keeping score, that would be No. 4.

For the third consecutive week, the Florida Gators played host to a slew of high-profile football recruits during their weekend matchup against Charlotte. At least 15 recruits were confirmed to be in attendance this past Saturday to watch the Gators advance to 3-1 with a win against the 49ers, despite their offensive struggles. Most notably, 5-star wide receiver and Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith was once again on campus as Billy Napier and the Florida recruiting staff continue to work towards flipping the nation's top pass catcher. Smith has been in Gainesville five times including an official visit in June. "The game went good," Smith told 247Sports. "Offense looked pretty good. They just got to finish drives. They kicked a lot of field goals. The environment was good, it was loud. Game sold out vs. Charlotte, so not even a big game like that and it sold out. I had a great time up there. I had a great time with Coach Billy Napier and Coach Billy G after the game for like a good 30 minutes. I just love how everything went this weekend." The Gator faithful also played part in the recruitment of Smith this past weekend, revealing a 'Jeremiah 2 The Swamp' banner during the game, something that the Opa Locka (Fl.) native has never seen before. "It was cool," Smith said about the banner. "I never had that done for me at a game nowhere I went. I feel like that was cool." Smith had the opportunity to spend time with Napier and other staffers including wide receiver coach Billy Gonzales after the game, alongside fellow five-star prospect Charles Lester who is committed to Florida State. Lester, who had not been in Gainesville for quite some time prior to Saturday, appears to have a growing interest in the Gators. Specifically, the defensive back is pleased by the clear opportunity for early playing time, which was evident from the young Florida defensive backs getting loads of playing time. “I love seeing the young corners out there,” Lester said. “That’s what I pay attention to more because I know I’ll be in their shoes. I watched some of the younger freshmen that stepped on the field.” The Venice (Fl.) native also said that he hopes to return to Gainesville at least one time before the Florida State game in November. Although making it clear that he is still "locked in" to Florida State, Lester did emphasize that he has remained in contact with Florida. “We’ve been lowkey, like out of any school, they’re the only one I’ve been talking to," Lester said in reference to keeping the door open with the Gators. Other confirmed visitors this past weekend: 4-star DL Nasir Johnson (Florida commit) 4-star LB Myles Graham (Florida commit) 4-star LB Adarius Hayes (Florida commit) 4-star DL Amaris Williams (Florida commit) 4-star DL Kendall Jackson (Florida commit) 4-star DL D'Antre Robinson (Texas commit) 4-star RB Jerrick Gibson (Texas commit) 2025 5-star WR Dallas Wilson (Oregon commit) 2025 5-star DB DJ Pickett 2025 4-star ATH Darrell Johnson 2025 4-star IOL Max Buchanan 2025 3-star WR Santonyo Isaac 2026 S Devin Jackson

Shane Matthews, Franz Beard, Brenden and Buddy Martin talk about Charlotte vs Florida game and look ahead to Lexington. GatorBait Subscribers check out https://www.gatorbaitmedia.com/the-buddy-martin-show for all the past episodes

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning: Nine sacks allowed in four games. That’s more than half the sacks the Gators allowed all last year when they were one of the better teams in the country protecting the quarterback. It is an issue the Gators will need to get a better handle on before they take the field against Kentucky in Lexington Saturday (12 noon kickoff, ESPN). The Gators will be going against a Kentucky defense that gets most of its sacks (11 so far) from its front four, allowing the Wildcats to drop seven in coverage. That’s pretty much what Utah did in game one when the Gators allowed five sacks for -47 yards. That was with an O-line that had four new starters, one of whom was backup center Jake Slaughter. Two weeks ago, with Kingsley Eguakun back in his familiar starting role at center, the Gators gave up only one sack to Tennessee, which leads the SEC and ranks third nationally with 16 sacks. The hope is that Eguakun will be ready to go Saturday. He was held out of the win over Charlotte and UF head coach Billy Napier won’t know until midweek if Eguakun will be able to go Saturday. “I think it’s to be determined [if Eguakun can go],” Napier said at his Monday press conference. I think that he’s made progress. We anticipate him practicing tomorrow.” The Gators played with three backups in the lineup in the win over Charlotte. Slaughter started for Eguakun at center, freshman Knijeah Harris started for Micah Mazzccua (discipline) at right guard, and Lyndell Hudson II started at right tackle for Damien George Jr., who missed the first half as the result of an SEC suspension. Napier said Mazzccua will definitely be back Saturday. If Eguakun and George are back in the lineup, the Gators will have the same starting five that was so effective against Tennessee. “Look, we have a new group of players on the O-line and then we’ve had injuries,” Napier said. “So that group, the continuity has not been there this year. So we’ve played with a mixture of lineups and I think that’s contributed to some of the issues we’ve had, but I do think at times we really played well, also.” Not all the issues with sacks can be attributed to the O-line, however. Napier pointed out Monday that it’s not uncommon for every position group to contribute to the breakdown that leads to a sack. It can be a missed block or a blown assignment by a running back. It can be a receiver running a wrong route or failing to get separation, causing the quarterback to hold the ball too long. It can also be caused by a wrong read by the quarterback, who perhaps locks in on one receiver instead of unloading to someone else who’s open. At least one of the three sacks the Gators allowed against Charlotte wasn’t necessarily the fault of the O-line. “There was one play when I held onto it way too long,” Mertz said. “Just it was one play I’d love to have back because I had a throw, and it’s a big one. You convert that and you’ve got another shot to score points.” Mertz on being a Florida Gator: “I owe this university everything I’ve got and I try to hold to that every single day that I’m blessed to be here and I’m thankful for it. I think I said it the day they announced me as starter that it’s a blessing and it’s a privilege to be here. That’s what wakes me up every day. I enjoy doing what I’m doing. I love this sport. I love this team. I love this university. It’s been an absolute pleasure and I’m definitely doing what I love to do with people I love to do it with. So it’s a blessing.” Mertz on being surprised at something new a defense throws his way: “There hasn’t been an opportunity in a while where I’ve seen something where I haven’t been prepared, I haven’t seen it. So for me it’s gathering all the information, getting our guys in the right protection, run game check, combination with routes. For me, that’s the game within the game. A lot of people don’t really have the opportunity to experience that, but that’s where the game gets fun. It’s a chess game. It’s a blast.” Statistically speaking: Mertz is completing 77.8 percent of his passes (84-108, 976 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception). He’s the most accurate passer in the SEC and ranks fourth nationally. Mertz is averaging 8.8 yards per pass attempt, highest of his career. A year ago, Florida quarterbacks completed only 54.4 percent of their passes while averaging 8.0 per attempt. UF volleyball: Gators fall one spot in AVCA top 25 poll Despite a 2-0 record last week, the Gators dropped one spot to No. 4 in the AVCA rankings. While making the transition from injured (ACL) All-American setter Alexis Stucky to backup Kennedy Muff, the Gators went five sets in the wins over No. 24 Auburn and unranked Georgia. Meanwhile, Florida middle blocker Nnedi Okammor was selected SEC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 17 blocks in the two wins. She had a career high 10 blocks in the win over Georgia. The Gators (10-1, 2-0 SEC) will host Texas A&M (9-3, 1-1) at the O-Dome Wednesday night. AVCA top 25: 1. Wisconsin 11-0; 2. Nebraska 11-0; 3. Stanford 9-2; 4. FLORIDA 10-1; 5. Louisville 11-1; 6. Oregon 12-1; 7. Washington State 12-1; 8. Pittsburgh 11-2; 9. BYU 13-1; 10. Texas 7-3; 11. Georgia Tech 11-1; 12. Tennessee 11-1; 13. Minnesota 5-5; 14. Arkansas 12-2; 15. Penn State 8-3; 16. Creighton 10-3; 17. Purdue 8-3; 18. Baylor 6-5; 19. Kansas 10-2; 20. Houston 7-3; 21. Dayton 13-2; 22. Ohio State 4-7; 23. Kentucky 3-7; 24. Auburn 11-2; 25. Arizona State 14-0 SEC football No. 12 Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Left guard Tyler Booker was selected SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after recording six knockdown blocks and not allowing a sack in Alabama’s win over Ole Miss. Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Penalties have contributed mightily to two consecutive Arkansas losses. The Hogs committed 14 for -125 yards in the loss to Brigham Young, 11 for -69 against LSU. So many of the LSU penalties were false starts by the O-line. Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC): “Offensively we’re searching and we’ve got to find some answers,” says HBC Hugh Freeze. In their two games against Power 5 opponents, the Tigers have thrown for a combined 150 yards. No. 1 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle surgery) is out for the Auburn game. Safety Javon Bullard (ankle) has missed the last two games and is day-to-day. D-lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is still in a boot and highly doubtful. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey (back) remains day-to-day. Tight end Lawson Luckie (ankle) is on limited participation in practice. O-lineman Austin Blaske (knee) was dressed for UAB but did not play. D-lineman Mykel Williams missed UAB with an undisclosed illness and his status is unknown. Kentucky (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Maxwell Hairston was selected SEC Defensive Player of the Week after returning two interceptions for touchdowns in UK’s win over Vanderbilt. Hairston also had three pass breakups in the game. No. 13 LSU (3-1, 2-0 SEC): Quarterback Jayden Daniels was selected Co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 29-29 passes for 320 yards and four TDPs to lead the Tigers past Arkansas. Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2 SEC): In a losing effort against South Carolina, quarterback Will Rogers completed 30-48 passes for 487 yards and a touchdown. Rogers has now thrown for 11,668 yards and 88 touchdowns in his Mississippi State career, moving past Florida’s Chris Leak for fourth place in career yardage in the SEC. With two more TDPs he will move past Peyton Manning, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow for fourth all-time in the SEC. No. 23 Missouri (4-0, 0-0 SEC): The Tigers rank third in the SEC at stopping the run (83.25 yards per game, 2.6 per carry) but they’re 12th in the league against the pass, allowing 238.3 yards per game and nine TDPs. No. 20 Ole Miss (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Regarding the inconsistent running game, HBC Lane Kiffin says, “We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to coach better, involve different schemes, different things. Sometimes the running game is interesting. You’ll have these games and all of a sudden you’ll pop and you’ll have a bunch of explosive runs.” South Carolina (2-2, 1-1 SEC): Quarterback Spencer Rattler was selected Co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Mississippi State. Rattler completed 18-20 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, plus he led the Gamecocks on 98- and 99-yard scoring drives … Alex Huntley, who had three tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups in the win over Mississippi State was selected SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. No. 19 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC): The Vols are giving up 190.8 passing yards per game and just 5.9 yards per attempt. The Vols will be challenged Saturday by a South Carolina passing offense that ranks No. 1 in the SEC (340 yards per game) and No. 8 nationally. The Vols rank No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 nationally in sacks with 16 while South Carolina ranks last in the SEC in pass protection, having given up 19 sacks in four games. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Quarterback Conner Weigman is listed day-to-day after leaving the Auburn game with an ankle injury. The offense actually functioned better when backup Max Johnson came into the game … Linebacker Taurean York was selected SEC Freshman of the Week after contributing 11 tackles including two for loss in the Aggies win over Auburn. Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1 SEC): Three interceptions thrown by QB AJ Swann, no running game and seven penalties for -75 yards doomed the Commodores in their loss to Kentucky. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Phineas T. Barnum, the early 19th century master showman who never missed an opportunity to promote his circus, is the most often given credit for the line, “Any publicity is good publicity” although there is no real evidence that he actually said it. Oscar Wilde, on the other hand, did say, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” And then there’s Brendan Behan, who said, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.” In his pregame speech before Oregon pummeled Colorado, handing Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes their first loss of the season, Ducks coach Dan Lanning said, “The Cinderella story is over, men. They’re fighting for clicks. We’re fighting for wins.” I’m sure Dan Lanning thought he was being ever so clever. After all, it was a pre-game speech and coaches are known to embellish or challenge testosterone levels through any variety of word salad, but maybe Lanning didn’t understand that it would come across negatively for him and Oregon. Deion knew the Buffs were going to get hammered although he said afterward he expects them to win every game. Deion Sanders does care about winning and losing, but he knows this year isn’t going to produce a championship. So what’s he doing? He’s making himself the PT Barnum of college football and the way he sees it any publicity is good publicity. Everybody is talking about him and Colorado. What Dan Lanning probably didn’t factor into his speech was next year Deion Sanders and Colorado will be in the Big 12. Because of all the publicity Deion has generated, the Buffaloes will have lots of good players and because they’re in the Big 12, they’ll have a far better chance to (a) win a conference championship and (b) make the College Football Playoff than Oregon, which will be in the Big Ten. You may think Deion Sanders runs his mouth too much. Some even say he’s all about Deion and not about the kids who play for him, although the kids who play for Colorado and those who played for him at Jackson State, would beg to differ. For his lightning rod approach to being Colorado’s head coach, the Buffaloes are swimming in booster money and they’re the talk of college football. Really good football players want to play for Coach Prime. As Polonius said in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” You can say Deion is madness personified, but his method is going to get results.

Florida kicker Trey Smack was named the SEC Special Teams Players of the Week following his five field goal performance on Saturday. Smack, who the league announced as the winner on Monday, is the first Gators player to win the honor since Kadarius Toney in 2020. Just one week after making his first career collegiate field goal, and seemingly taking over the starting job, Smack made all five of his attempts against Charlotte on Saturday. The five field goal performance is the most by a Gators kicker since Eddy Pinerio made five in 2017. The Maryland native started the season exclusively as the kickoff specialist and has delivered touchbacks on 22 of his 24 kickoff attempts. However, after Adam Mihalek started the year as the place kicker, two missed kicks against Tennessee gave Smack a chance to take over the job. He has made the most of the opportunity so far, making all six of his field goals and all four of his extra points. Against Charlotte, Smack made kicks from 23 yards (twice), 27 yards, 36 yards, and 54 yards. The 54-yarder was a career long for the Maryland native and is tied for the seventh longest field goal in Florida football history. Smack is now the third Gator to earn SEC Player of the Week honors, joining freshman Jordan Castell and Cam Jackson who earned weekly honors after week three.