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GCF South Carolina vs. Kentucky South Carolina Game Preview, Prediction & Discussion Thread

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South Carolina Gamecocks' vs. Kentucky Wildcats'
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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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Judging from the first 3 games of the season, I'd have to say Kentucky is the better team. Don't be fooled by their narrow escape vs UT-Chattanooga; that was a letdown after an emotional, very important win over Missouri. I expect them to be focused Saturday night.

 
There are so many unknowns with Carolina right now who knows.  New coaches, still learning a new scheme, transfers, etc..  Do believe team will play better as a whole and they are coming off a loss to redeem.  It's at home so hopefully the 12th man gives us the edge needed to WIN!

 
There are so many unknowns with Carolina right now who knows.  New coaches, still learning a new scheme, transfers, etc..  Do believe team will play better as a whole and they are coming off a loss to redeem.  It's at home so hopefully the 12th man gives us the edge needed to WIN!
Same thinking so many unknowns here. What I struggle with is talent here. Why? We have out recruited Kentucky 7 out of last 8 years. With Muschamp never developed the players due to the amount of injuries and getting the talent he had to play up to their potential. Muschamp better stick to DC jobs. 

 
I thought that South Carolina had out-recruited Kentucky also, but I went through the Rivals rankings for all starters and there was virtually no difference between the 2 teams. The Gamecock's starters had literally 1 more Rivals point TOTAL than Kentucky.
 
So basically dead even. Thanks for the clarification Rad. :animated-smileys-icons-007:

 
Paul Dietzel went 4-7 his last year here in 1974 and then his replacement, Jim Carlen, went 7-5 his first season in 1975 and that includes the 20-7 loss to Miami (OH) in the Tangerine Bowl.

It's easy to get PTSD after the UGA blow-out, but I think we'll see a much better season this year.

I would like to see multiple RB plays like the I-formation if the OL can't measure up.  Triple-option might work, too.  Try putting one of our stout RBs as a blocker in the open field and see what happens.  Spurrier and Muschamp both refused to run the I-formation as much as they should have.

You can either waste our deep RB talent behind a bad OL or change strategy and put them to good use in the I-formation and/or wishbone.

 
Always like the power offensive. I relate back to the 60 and 70. 

 
If we can't get our run game on track we will struggle again ... and if we can't get to the QB our secondary will struggle too. Solve those two issues and it will be a tight game!

 
I'm ready for this game to get back to our guaranteed win every year.  

 
All this losing has to come to a end. Hard to find a reason to post or write about anything. Start something Saturday night to go back to having fun on the boards.

 
Beamer and staff need this win.  Let's see if they bring it, have a game plan and have guys performing.  I believe they will.

 
South Carolina 21 -  Kentucky 10

Luke Doty will be efficient after having his first full week of practice with the 1s. Doty will find his TEs much like he did last year when Muse became his go-to guy. 

It will be another week of struggles for the offensive line and that issue will not be fixed this year (scheme issue and a quirk of having the QB call out the protection and also incorporating the huddle.)

Don't expect our running backs to be a factor in this game.

Our defense will get a couple of turnovers.

Kentucky and their great QB will get a few big plays but our secondary will be good in the redzone.

 
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