Florida vs. Kentucky 2017 live stream: Start time, TV schedule, and how to watch online

The No. 20 Florida Gators, looking to build off their wild victory over Tennessee, head on the road to face the Kentucky Wildcats, desperate to end a 30-game losing streak to the Gators. The game takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network (WatchESPN).

The Gators opened the season with a 33-17 loss to Michigan, in which the offense showed almost no signs of life (their only touchdowns came on two pick-sixes). After Hurricane Irma forced them to cancel their second game, they faced the Volunteers in Week 3. Although the offense still struggled to move the ball, Florida ended up with the 26-20 win after a 63-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass by quarterback Feleipe Franks.

Once again, the defense is the biggest strength for head coach Jim McElwain, but scoring points will continue to be a concern as they make their way through the SEC East schedule. After this week’s road game against Kentucky, the Gators stay at home for games with Vanderbilt, LSU, and Texas A&M before the crucial Oct. 28 contest with Georgia.

Kentucky is 3-0 after two decisive wins against non-conference foes and a big road win over South Carolina, holding the Gamecocks to just two touchdowns in a 23-13 win. Running back Benjamin Smell Jr. made the difference for the Wildcats, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 102 yards on 32 carries.

This game is a pretty big test for Mark Stoops, entering his fifth season as the Wildcats’ head coach. Kentucky hasn’t beaten Florida since 1986, currently the longest head-to-head losing streak in college football. If his team can pull the upset at home, then Kentucky will confirm that it needs to be taken seriously in the SEC East race. The Wildcats will also be well on their way to bowl eligibility with Eastern Michigan and Missouri next on the schedule.

Morgan Moriarty looks at all the things that changed in the world since the last time Kentucky beat Florida.

”In 2003, the streak looked like it was ending at 14. During Rich Brooks’ first season, his team was up 21-3 at halftime. But in the fourth quarter, true freshman Chris Leak took over.

The game in 2007 looked like one of Kentucky’s best shots, after a historic upset over No. 1 LSU the week prior. But Tim Tebow and Florida’s offense scored two fourth quarter touchdowns.

And two of the past three meetings have been decided by six points or less. In 2014 in Gainesville, Kentucky lost, 36-30, in triple overtime amid dubious officiating, then 14-9 at home in 2015.

Alligator Army’s Andy Hutchins isn’t buying this year’s Kentucky hype.

And while I don’t want to give too much credit to the motivations of upholding or upsetting the status quo on either side of this series, Florida knowing it will beat Kentucky has seemed to grant confidence, not hubris, while the Wildcats thinking they have to beat the Gators has produced frayed nerves rather than steeled spines.

I could be wrong about that, and an exception could always come on Saturday night. But I’ll believe Florida losing to Kentucky in football when I see it.

Florida’s C.J. Henderson took home SEC Freshman of the Week after another pick-six.

Through two games, Henderson is also just two pick-sixes shy of the school record, held by — of all people — Brandon Spikes. Several players, including Ratliff, Tabor, Duke Dawson, and current Florida assistant Ahmad Black, are tied for second with three interception return touchdowns pick-six.

A Sea of Blue is going all-in with the Wildcats ending the streak.

In my career as a blogger, I have picked Kentucky to end this horrendous streak perhaps four to five times. And to be fair, Kentucky should have won at least two of those games. This is perhaps the first time that I have really felt that this was the year that the streak would happen. This is the best Kentucky football team of the past six years or so, and this is the most vulnerable Gators team in at least a decade.

And this was my view before nine players were suspended. So whether or not the suspended players play, this is a very good chance for Kentucky to break this streak.

For perhaps the first time in a decade, the talent disparity is pretty even between these two teams. Kentucky has their first sold-out game in years, and I could not think of a better time for this horrible streak to end. I know that I have said this before, but this streak has to end sometime, That time is now.

Beating Florida could change everything for Kentucky football.

Not to ignore being 4-0 and in prime position to compete in the SEC East, but a win Saturday would mean Kentucky football being a thing. Lexington would be, probably in a literal sense, lit. Recruits would see the program as even more on the rise and something worth being a part of. The young guys on the roster will have learned what it’s like to win huge games and will provide a tested experience to a new generation of Wildcats. 30 years of losing traded for a future of promise. This Saturday is the turning point. As one era ends, a new one begins.

We’re still not sure how good Florida really is, and the offense has plenty of major weaknesses. That said, if the defense plays up to its standard, then that could be enough for the Gators to grind out a tough road victory.

Bill Connelly’s S&P+ projection system has the Gators with a 29-22 win.