Kentucky vs. South Carolina: KSR Staff Predictions

Kentucky has won seven of the last ten games vs. South Carolina, but the Gamecocks own the last two. The series has become a rivalry of sorts under Mark Stoops and Shane Beamer, with the two trading jabs over stupid sunglasses and dance moves, to the point Beamer trolled the Cats with both in the visitor’s locker room after the Gamecocks’ win in Lexington two years ago.

This year, Stoops and Kentucky should have the last laugh. The Cats are a sizable favorite in Saturday’s game at Kroger Field (3:30 PM, ABC), with the spread swelling to double digits earlier this week. While Kentucky took care of business vs. Southern Miss, South Carolina struggled in its season opener vs. Old Dominion, needing some crucial mistakes by the Monarchs to come away with the 23-19 win.

This game is absolutely massive for Kentucky; win and you keep the season on track and College Gameday potentially comes to town for the Georgia game next week. Drop a third straight to South Carolina and the margin of error for bowl eligibility becomes much thinner.

Who will come out on top? The KSR crew is ready to weigh in.

Tyler Thompson

South Carolina did not look good in Week 1 and my initial hesitation with the big spread is probably due to lingering trauma from last year’s loss in Columbia. Both squads are very different this season. Spencer Rattler is gone, leaving redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers at quarterback. Former Arkansas running back Rocket Sanders is proven, but he’s just about all the Gamecocks have going on offense.

I’m confident Kentucky’s defense can handle South Carolina’s shaky offense. I’m more intrigued by how the Cats’ offense will fare against the Gamecocks’ impressive defense, namely EDGE rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart. Saturday will be the first real test for the Big Blue Wall, which looked good after a slow start vs. Southern Miss. The Cats can’t afford costly turnovers.

Kentucky should — and will — win this game on Saturday; however, I think it could be a little closer than we may like.

Score: Kentucky 24, South Carolina 17

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Zack Geoghegan

If there’s anything I’ve learned from listening to the Nick Roushs and Adam Lucketts of the world talk about football betting, it’s that money is made in Week 2. I’m trying not to let South Carolina’s Week 1 letdown performance influence me too much. The Gamecocks will look far improved on Saturday than they did last week against Old Dominion. There’s more on the line for Beamer’s squad and I expect them to react accordingly.

But I still don’t believe Kentucky will lose this game. I saw enough out of Brock Vandagriff against Southern Miss to make me believe he can be the real deal. If the right side of the offensive line can bounce back after some struggles last week, the ‘Cats should put up more than enough points to win this game. The defense did a lot of bending in Week 1, but no breaking. Redshirt freshman QB LaNorris Sellers will stand little chance against Kentucky’s front line.

Score: Kentucky 27, South Carolina 19

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Nick Roush

Does Kentucky take care of the football? Will they protect Brock Vandagriff? If both answers are yes, Saturday is going to be a lot of fun for Big Blue Nation.

The final scoreboard may look great for Kentucky fans, but I don’t think we’re taking a trip directly to Blowout City. QB1 will surely stub his toe a few times in his first big game as a starter. The lightbulb will turn on just before half and that late score will get the offense rolling.

Speaking of rolling, South Carolina doesn’t have a chance against the Kentucky defensive steamroller. Not only will they be unable to run the ball against the Cats, the veteran linebackers will put LaNorris Sellers in a mental pretzel of the likes that we have not seen since Anthony Richardson was delivering gifts to the Kentucky secondary in The Swamp. Unable to move the ball at all, South Carolina’s only score will be thanks to an early Brock gaffe. After that, it’s All Cats Everything.

Score: Kentucky 27, South Carolina 7

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Adam Luckett

One of the biggest games of the season has arrived. Kentucky must get the series with South Carolina turned around and stop the recent losing trends in SEC games at Kroger Field. The matchup is a good one for the Wildcats in Week 2.

South Carolina is a run-heavy offense with a young quarterback and an uninspiring receiver unit. Shane Beamer’s team needs to win games by running the football, playing defense, and controlling the field position battle. That will play right to Kentucky’s strengths. The Wildcats will stop the run and make LaNorris Sellers play from behind the chains throughout the game. That should lead to some takeaways and potential short fields.

On the other side of the football, Kentucky’s offensive line will be challenged by this South Carolina but the Wildcats just have more weapons. We will likely see both defense trade punches early, but Kentucky’s offense will eventually find some success and pull away in the second half.

Kentucky records a double-digit victory in Week 2 and will get ready for a likely College GameDay announcement on Sunday.

Score: Kentucky 28, South Carolina 13

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Drew Franklin

I’ve never felt better and never been more confident before a Kentucky-South Carolina football game. Could it backfire? Absolutely. But after watching LaNorris Sellers’ debut as the Gamecocks’ new quarterback last weekend, I’m confident that Kentucky’s defense will keep Sellers and South Carolina’s offense from lighting up the scoreboard. He isn’t a QB who seems ready to go on the road in the SEC and pick apart a defense with his arm, so if Kentucky’s defense can contain the run, Kentucky should limit the Gamecocks’ points to somewhere in the low to mid-teens.

If Kentucky can stay even or better in the turnover battle and protect Brock Vandagriff, 21 or more Kentucky points should be enough to earn the win. I think Kentucky gets closer to 30 and covers the 10-point spread in the rivalry game, adding to the excitement around the Georgia game in Week 3. But first, the Wildcats need to protect home field as the betting favorite. I think they will.

Kentucky 27, South Carolina 13

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Kentucky vs. South Carolina: How to Watch

• Kickoff: 3:45 p.m. ET (Broadcast starts at 3:30 p.m.)
• TV: ABC (Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath)
• Watch college football games live – try Fubo for free! Click HERE NOW.
• Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel)
  • AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
  • FM: 98.1 WBUL
  • Online: iHeart Radio
• Sirius XM: 139 or 191
• Live Stats: UKAthletics.com

You can also keep up with the game and chat with other fans on our game thread on KSBoard, with Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Drew Franklin providing updates from Kroger Field and the rest of us from our couches at home.