South Carolina football: 5 predictions for the Kentucky game
As South Carolina football matches up against Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, GamecockCentral.com staffers make predictions on what may play out during the SEC East game.
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CHRIS CLARK: South Carolina has played two SEC games this season, and MarShawn Lloyd has not seen over 10 carries in either of those games.
Here’s to believing that changes on Saturday. Issuing the standard caveat that the competition the last two weeks was subpar, Lloyd has been a threat. That was also the case against Arkansas earlier this year.
It’s clear that in an offense that still has work to do to become what it should be, Lloyd has been South Carolina football’s most dangerous player. That’s been the case in the pass game and catching the ball on screen plays.
It figures that Christian-Beal Smith and JuJu McDowell will get their chances, but it’s my belief Lloyd has established himself at the top options. Look for his touches to reflect that in this game.
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WES MITCHELL: This is going to be a low-scoring grind-it-out kind of game.
These are two offenses that are going to huddle up, use presnap shifts and motions, and aren’t going to be in a huge hurry to snap the football.
You have a Kentucky offense that has become to be known for its physicality and ability to run the football but they’ve struggled to get the ground game going this season.
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The Carolina offense has looked better the last two weeks against weaker opponents but this is a Kentucky defense that is physical and well-coached and a defensive scheme that is designed to keep everything in front.
All of that equals a grind-it-out game with the Wildcats.
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KENDALL SMITH: Spencer Rattler is ready for a breakout game, and I think this could be it.
Now trust me, I know this is a little bit of a stretch. Kentucky is incredibly talented, and even tougher to face on the road, but they also have some of the worst defensive statistics in the SEC. The last two weeks were a boost for South Carolina football in terms of offensive confidence, and I think that will show this weekend.
I am not expecting South Carolina to win, but I am predicting that Spencer Rattler will throw for a few touchdowns and have his best game of the season so far from a statistics standpoint.
COLLYN TAYLOR: This game gets infinitely more interesting if Will Levis doesn’t play, and a game that’s much more winnable with him out. I think a South Carolina defensive line with just five sacks all season will get at least three sacks against Kentucky regardless of quarterback
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MIKE UVA: After averaging 240 yards rushing these past two weeks, USC will see passing lanes begin to open up as Kentucky tries to stop the run. Spencer Rattler will throw three touchdowns for the first time as a Gamecock.
