GCF Kentucky vs. South Carolina Game Preview, Prediction & Discussion Thread
Sept. 23, 2021
Can the Wildcats get out of September 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC with a win?
It hasn’t always been pretty so far getting to 3-0, they did get past Missouri Had their hands full vs. Chattanooga 28-23. The Wildcats new-look offense threw well at times over the first three weeks ran great against Missouri, and it’s been able to move the chains.
Gamecocks are in rebuilding stage and you can see improvement, but the offense is the worst among all SEC teams so far, the offensive line is giving up way too many sacks, and there a few too many turnovers. The Gamecocks are not good enough to overcome any misfires. It has to be perfect, and it won’t be easy Saturday night at William Brice.
South Carolina running backs. With last year’s Gamecocks rushing star, Kevin Harris, seeking to get back to top form after offseason back surgery, new South Carolina head man Shane Beamer has unleashed a stable of effective backs, led by redshirt senior ZaQuandre White (176 rushing yards, 7.6 yards a carry) and freshman Juju McDowell (113, 4.9). Harris, who ran for 210 yards on 21 carries vs. UK last year, has run for only 55 yards on 23 carries so far this season.
Kentucky's defense has been more susceptible then most think. Through three games, the Wildcats defense has allowed 274.7 yards per game good for sixth-best in the Southeastern Conference. That said that number is helped immensely by holding a Louisiana-Monroe team that won its first game in two years last week to just 87 yards in the season opener.
Kentucky has surrendered an average of 368.5 yards per game and more than 5 yards per play in meetings with Missouri and UT-Chattanooga the past two weeks. Had those numbers held up over the entirety of the year, the Wildcats would sit third-to-last in the SEC in both categories. But should Doty be back in rhythm he found toward the tail end of the Georgia game a contest he completed seven of his last 11 throws come Saturday, the Gamecocks should feel plenty good about their chances at securing a much-needed win.
Kentucky has a issue with turnovers. Question is can the Gamecocks take advantage what's given them in the turn over department. Kentucky has been able to overcome the problems, but the Offensive has given it up eight times Chattanooga got a big help from the three takeaways. The Gamecocks will get the ball, and they have to convert.
The offense hasn’t been great at moving the chains, but the Kentucky defense has huge problems on third downs allowing offenses to convert 45% of their tries. This is where the running game has to kick in. South Carolina might not be getting things going like it should – there’s way too much talent in the backfield; Kevin Harris is just getting into the swing of things after back surgery – and it has to work at home.
Kentucky Players to Watch
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR: Robinson is the SEC’s leading receiver through the first three weeks, with 337 yards on 18 catches with two touchdowns. A transfer from Nebraska, the 5-foot-11 wideout has reached the 100-yard mark in three consecutive games with the Wildcats and could be a matchup problem for the Gamecocks’ secondary.
Chris Rodriguez, RB: The Wildcats alsohave the conference’s top rusher in Rodriguez, who has 377 yards on 59 carries for four touchdowns this season. Rodriguez was especially productive in Kentucky’s SEC opening win over Missouri, where he shouldered much of the offensive workload and brought in three touchdowns and 206 yards on 27 carries.
J.J. Weaver, OLB: Kentucky’s sophomore linebacker is off to a strong start in 2021, totaling 4.5 tackles for loss through the first three contests, pushing opponents back 28 yards. The Wildcats’ formidable pass rusher has also played a part in 2.5 sacks for 22 lost yards and forced a fumble against Missouri.
OUT COME
The Gamecocks couldn’t do anything against Georgia but most likely played the best defense they will see all year. This isn’t that bad a team as it tries to find its footing under Shane Beamer. The defensive front has been good enough so far against the run, and it’s going to make Kentucky throw. Will Levis might not keep with his average of ten yards per throw, but the Gamecocks will hit enough downfield throws to overcome the turnovers and mistakes.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina Prediction, Line
Line: Kentucky -5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
South Carolina 28 Kentucky 21
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