GCF Discussion, Preview & Prediction Thread Week 6 Talking Kentucky
Oct. 05, 2022
Kentucky is a bit beaten up the team. Will Levis is fine even after hurting his hand in the loss to Ole Miss, but while it was battling in Oxford in a 22-19 soul-crusher, South Carolina was tuning up against South Carolina State last week after beating Charlotte. Kentucky is very, very good, but the offensive line isn’t blocking well enough for the relatively non-existent running game that’s averaging 2.5 yards per pop, and the defensive front isn’t getting behind the line.
TV: SEC Network Stream: via ESPN app
USC VS. UK BETTING LINE: Kentucky is a 10.5-point favorite over South Carolina to start the week, according to VegasInsider.com.
GAMECOCKS RETURN TO SEC PLAY
South Carolina won its last two games against Charlotte and S.C. State. The team was heavily favored in both contests, and the Gamecocks delivered stronger performances — particularly offensively than they had all year.
Kentucky gives USC an opportunity to bring its momentum into a game against an AP Top-25 team. South Carolina struggled in losses against Arkansas and Georgia, allowing more than 40 points in each game.
PROGRESS IN THE RUN GAME
Though its last two opponents haven’t had SEC-caliber defenses, the team has managed to establish the run. The Gamecocks averaged 240 rushing yards in its last two wins. MarShawn Lloyd has led the way in that effort, scoring four touchdowns on the ground in that stretch.
Kentucky allows 123.8 rushing yards per game, ranking eighth in the SEC.
KENTUCKY COMING OFF LOSS TO OLE MISS
Kentucky entered its game against Ole Miss as the No. 7 team in the country. It lost the game 22-19, and Will Levis fumbled the ball on the team’s last offensive drive. The Wildcats will head into Saturday looking to get back in the win column, and they’ll face a USC team on a two-game winning streak. Kentucky is 15-11 since 2016 in games after a loss.
GAMECOCKS PLAYERS TO WATCH
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, South Carolina: Lloyd has racked up 249 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the last two games. He leads the Gamecocks in total touchdowns with eight. He’ll be a weapon that USC will look for throughout the game.
Marcellas Dial, DB, South Carolina: Dial has stepped up for South Carolina’s banged-up secondary. He leads the team with two interceptions and five pass breakups. Dial has picked up a few pass interference penalties, but has made plays for the Gamecocks this season.
WILDCATS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: Levis is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s thrown 36 touchdowns in eight games with the Wildcats. He will throw into a solid USC secondary on Saturday, but he’s been accurate with a 68.8% completion rate.
Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky: Brown is the Wildcats’ speediest asset. He’s a dangerous kick returner, with one kick-return touchdown so far and two returns that exceeded 50 yards against Ole Miss. He added 81 yards in the passing game last week, so the Gamecocks will need to account for him in both phases of the game.
PREDICTION
South Carolina has been taking the ball away over the last two weeks, but that will slow down this week. Rodriguez and the UK running game will finally start to take the pressure off, the defense will do its normal bending without breaking, and the team will overcome a terrific day from Rattler.
Kentucky 24
South Carolina 20
Oct. 05, 2022
Kentucky is a bit beaten up the team. Will Levis is fine even after hurting his hand in the loss to Ole Miss, but while it was battling in Oxford in a 22-19 soul-crusher, South Carolina was tuning up against South Carolina State last week after beating Charlotte. Kentucky is very, very good, but the offensive line isn’t blocking well enough for the relatively non-existent running game that’s averaging 2.5 yards per pop, and the defensive front isn’t getting behind the line.
TV: SEC Network Stream: via ESPN app
USC VS. UK BETTING LINE: Kentucky is a 10.5-point favorite over South Carolina to start the week, according to VegasInsider.com.
GAMECOCKS RETURN TO SEC PLAY
South Carolina won its last two games against Charlotte and S.C. State. The team was heavily favored in both contests, and the Gamecocks delivered stronger performances — particularly offensively than they had all year.
Kentucky gives USC an opportunity to bring its momentum into a game against an AP Top-25 team. South Carolina struggled in losses against Arkansas and Georgia, allowing more than 40 points in each game.
PROGRESS IN THE RUN GAME
Though its last two opponents haven’t had SEC-caliber defenses, the team has managed to establish the run. The Gamecocks averaged 240 rushing yards in its last two wins. MarShawn Lloyd has led the way in that effort, scoring four touchdowns on the ground in that stretch.
Kentucky allows 123.8 rushing yards per game, ranking eighth in the SEC.
KENTUCKY COMING OFF LOSS TO OLE MISS
Kentucky entered its game against Ole Miss as the No. 7 team in the country. It lost the game 22-19, and Will Levis fumbled the ball on the team’s last offensive drive. The Wildcats will head into Saturday looking to get back in the win column, and they’ll face a USC team on a two-game winning streak. Kentucky is 15-11 since 2016 in games after a loss.
GAMECOCKS PLAYERS TO WATCH
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, South Carolina: Lloyd has racked up 249 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the last two games. He leads the Gamecocks in total touchdowns with eight. He’ll be a weapon that USC will look for throughout the game.
Marcellas Dial, DB, South Carolina: Dial has stepped up for South Carolina’s banged-up secondary. He leads the team with two interceptions and five pass breakups. Dial has picked up a few pass interference penalties, but has made plays for the Gamecocks this season.
WILDCATS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: Levis is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s thrown 36 touchdowns in eight games with the Wildcats. He will throw into a solid USC secondary on Saturday, but he’s been accurate with a 68.8% completion rate.
Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky: Brown is the Wildcats’ speediest asset. He’s a dangerous kick returner, with one kick-return touchdown so far and two returns that exceeded 50 yards against Ole Miss. He added 81 yards in the passing game last week, so the Gamecocks will need to account for him in both phases of the game.
PREDICTION
South Carolina has been taking the ball away over the last two weeks, but that will slow down this week. Rodriguez and the UK running game will finally start to take the pressure off, the defense will do its normal bending without breaking, and the team will overcome a terrific day from Rattler.
Kentucky 24
South Carolina 20
