The Kentucky Wildcats will play the South Carolina Gamecocks in a SEC game on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Kentucky has lost four of their last five games, while South Carolina has won two games in a row.
Kentucky Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats are 6-4 (3-4) this season after they lost to Alabama by a score of 49-21 in their last game. Kentucky trailed 21-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game and could never turn things around to get back into the game. The Wildcats were out gained by a total of 444-253 and went 3-11 on third down in the loss. Kentucky started the season with five straight wins, but they have only won one of their last five games, with the win coming against Mississippi State. The Kentucky offense is scoring 29.1 points per game with 206.8 passing yards per game and 136.3 rushing yards per game, while going 37.5% on third downs. Devin Leary has thrown for 2,063 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Wildcats this season. Ray Davis has rushed for 929 yards and 11 scores, while Dane Key has caught 32 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns. The Kentucky defense is giving up 25 points against per game this year.
South Carolina Preview
The South Carolina Gamecocks are 4-6 (2-5) this year after they defeated Vanderbilt by a score of 47-6 in their last game. South Carolina led 27-0 going into the fourth quarter, and they were able to score 20 more points to finish the blowout win. The Gamecocks out gained Vanderbilt by a total of 487-234 and forced two turnovers in the game. South Carolina also defeated Jacksonville State by a score of 38-28 in the game prior. The South Carolina offense is averaging 28.8 points per game with 301.7 passing yards per game and 91.4 rushing yards per game, while going 35.3% on third downs. Spencer Rattler has thrown for 2,867 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for the Gamecocks this year. Mario Anderson has rushed for 645 yards and three touchdowns, while Xavier Legette has caught 59 passes for 1,093 yards and five scores. The South Carolina defense is allowing 28.6 points against per game this season.
South Carolina Gamecocks Team Facts
- The home team has won eight of South Carolina's last nine games.
- The favorite has covered the spread in four of South Carolina's last five games at Williams-Brice Stadium.
- South Carolina has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against conference opponents at Williams-Brice Stadium.
- South Carolina has won the first half in three of its last four home games against conference opponents.
- Each of the last four games between Kentucky and South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Kentucky Wildcats Team Facts
- Kentucky has won seven of its last eight November road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of Kentucky's last four games.
- Kentucky has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents at Williams-Brice Stadium.
- Kentucky has won the first half in three of its last four road games against conference opponents.
- Each of Kentucky's last four November games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pick
South Carolina has not played very well this season, but they have won two games in a row and are still fighting for a bowl berth. Kentucky started the season red hot, but they have really cooled off and haven’t been able to hang with the better teams in the SEC. South Carolina will be at home for this game, but don’t be fooled with their two game winning streak, as the wins are against Vanderbilt and Jacksonville State. I still think this Kentucky team is pretty good and they should beat up on South Carolina in this matchup. Take the Wildcats here.
AUTHOR: David Racey
