Billy Donovan's arrival to Gainesville increased the competitiveness, with the rivalry placing seventh-best in college basketball on a 2013 ranking by Bleacher Report.

However, the rivalry has become much more even lately in the 2000s and 2010s,[9] with Kentucky holding a 24–17 series lead since 2005, and Florida having a 2–1 advantage in the last three SEC Championship Game meetings.

In his 12 years coaching the Gators, Spurrier never lost to Kentucky, winning by an average score of 32.7 points.

[14] Even after leaving Florida after the 2001 season, Steve Spurrier would go out of his way to make comments at Kentucky's expense.

[25][26] In the third all-time meeting in series history, the Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 27–6.

[28] Led by head coach Bear Bryant, the Wildcats defeated the Gators by a score of 14–6 to earn their fourth straight win in the rivalry.

[34][35] Gators receiver Cris Collinsworth made a tiptoe catch on the sideline that was disputed by Wildcats head coach Fran Curci.

[36] The catch helped set up kicker Brian Clark's game-winning 34-yard field goal in the closing seconds to win it for Florida.

[37] The Wildcats' "Wild Tackle 6" defense under head coach Jerry Claiborne held the Gators offense to just 220 total yards and three points as Kentucky won 10–3.

[43][44] Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel hit wide receiver Chris Doering with a 28-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining as Florida overcame seven turnovers committed in the game to win 24–20, breaking the hearts of the Kentucky faithful who had anxiously hoped for an upset.

"[52] Florida head coach Steve Spurrier followed up by saying "Obviously it got out of hand there...We didn't really plan on it, but it just worked out that way.

[54][55] Led by star quarterback Tim Couch, Kentucky traveled to Gainesville with hopes of upsetting the No.

[67] To prevent the defense from having to play, Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme called for several onside kicks throughout the game.

Following the season's conclusion, Kentucky would part ways with head coach Hal Mumme as a result of a recruiting scandal.

[82] Trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter, this marked the largest comeback in terms of deficit in the history of the Gators football program.

[84][85] This was also Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks' first Florida–Kentucky football game, as he had taken over the Wildcats program prior to the 2003 season.

[91][92][93] The game proved to be a back and forth contest but the Gators ultimately prevailed with a 45–37 win, their 21st in a row over the Wildcats.

[94] The Gators thoroughly dominated from start to finish, blocking two punts and scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter before the Wildcats even gained a first down en route to a 63–5 blowout victory.

1 ranked Florida Gators crushed the Kentucky Wildcats as the defending national champions won by 34 points.

[106] He was taken by ambulance to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center,[107] where he stayed overnight and was diagnosed with a concussion.

[115] The Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 36–30 in painful fashion as they win in triple overtime.

[118] The Gators escaped with a 28–27 win in Lexington, overcoming a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to once again break the Wildcats' hearts.

[119] Florida took advantage of two blown Kentucky coverages during the game to complete wide open passes to help seal the comeback.

[120] The Wildcats still had a chance to win it late, but senior kicker Austin MacGinnis missed a 57-yard field goal as time expired.

[123] This would also be Florida head coach Jim McElwain's last Florida–Kentucky game, as he and the university administration agreed to part ways amidst on-field struggles and off-field controversies five weeks later.

Kentucky put up over 450 offensive yards compared to Florida's 360 as the Wildcats overwhelmed a solid Gators defense.

At the completion of the game, Kentucky fans stormed the field, which resulted in a fine levied against the school by the SEC.

[133] In the following weeks after the game, Florida would continue to struggle, resulting in the firing of head coach Dan Mullen.

[145] In the game, Ray Davis rushed for 280 yards and scored 4-total touchdowns in a historic 33–14 victory for the Wildcats.

Notably, this victory was the first time the Kentucky Wildcats had beaten the Florida Gators in three straight meetings since 1949–1951.