LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A game that looked daunting in the preseason suddenly feels like a toss-up.
South Carolina opened the season ranked in the top 20 promise behind quarterback LaNorris Sellers. But back-to-back Southeastern Conference losses — including a 31-7 thumping by Vanderbilt at home — have changed the tone in Columbia.
Kentucky, too, has something to prove. A narrow SEC-opening loss to Ole Miss leaves the Wildcats looking for their first conference win. And with redshirt freshman Cutter Boley now at the helm of the offense, they'll head to a hostile environment with an experienced offensive line and a defense still licking its wounds after giving up 461 yards to Eastern Michigan before a bye week.
Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Eric Crawford
More on the matchup:
The Time
7:45 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 27, Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559), Columbia, South Carolina
How to Watch / Listen
TV: SEC Network (Tom Hart play-by-play, Jordan Rodgers analyst, Cole Cubelic sideline). Streaming: ESPN app (with TV provider login)
Radio: UK Sports Network: 840 WHAS (Tom Leach play-by-play, Jeff Piecoro analyst, Dick Gabriel sideline. Streaming: UKAthletics.com. Satellite: Sirius XM 374.
The Line
Spread: South Carolina is a 6-point favorite (DraftKings)
Over/Under: 45.5
Notes: Kentucky has won its past four SEC road openers outright. South Carolina has failed to cover in three of its past four games as a favorite. Kentucky has covered in four straight games as a road underdog – but has failed to cover in four of its past five September games against unranked opponents. The favorite has covered in each of the teams' past three meetings in Columbia. The under has hit in nine of the past 10 meetings between the schools.
The Coaches
Kentucky: Mark Stoops (13th season, 79-74 overall)
South Carolina: Shane Beamer (fifth season, 31-24)
Series History
All-time: South Carolina leads 21-14-1. In Columbia: South Carolina leads 10-6-1. Last Meeting: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6 (Sept. 7, 2024). Last in Columbia: South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14 (2023)Â
The Records
Kentucky: 2-1 (0-1 SEC), coming off a 48-23 win vs. Eastern Michigan
South Carolina: 2-2 (0-2 SEC), coming off a 29-20 loss at Missouri
Players to Watch
Kentucky
Redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley threw for 225 yards in his last outing and offers big-play potential with a strong arm. Running back Seth McGowan is coming off a three-touchdown, 104-yard effort against EMU. Linebacker Alex Afari Jr. leads the SEC in tackles per game (8.7). Kentucky's offensive line is one of the most experienced units in FBS with 166 combined starts.
South Carolina
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is a dual-threat sophomore who threw for 302 yards vs. Missouri and is widely viewed as an NFL prospect. Wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs leads the team with 215 receiving yards and had 128 vs. Mizzou. Punt returner Vicari Swain leads the nation with 3 punt return touchdowns; averages 30.1 yards per return. EDGE Dylan Stewart has 17 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks.Â
Sideline Storylines
- The Gamecocks have been one of the worst third-down teams in the nation and their total offense ranks just 122nd nationally.
- South Carolina is giving up three sacks per game, and Kentucky has one of the better pass rushes in the country, even if it hasn't gotten home as often as coaches would like. Either way, look for the Kentucky rush to pose problems for Sellers
- Kentucky's running game is legit, and South Carolina's tackling issues have been real.
- South Carolina transfer TE Jordan Dingle played 39 games for Kentucky before transferring.
- Kentucky O-line coach Eric Wolford is a former South Carolina assistant.
- South Carolina's special teams lead the SEC in punt return average and have four non-offensive touchdowns this season.
The Quote
"Looking forward to a great opportunity here this week. We know that going on the road in the SEC and playing at night is never easy. It is going to be a great challenge. It's a game that is important to both of us and a South Carolina team that is very good and coming off a tough loss, so I am sure they are going to be amped up and our team will be prepared and ready to go. We had a good week of practice last week and I am looking forward to getting back at it."
— Kentucky coach Mark Stoops
The Pick
Kentucky 24, South Carolina 17
This may be Kentucky's best shot in Columbia in years. If Boley stays upright and the Wildcats can avoid giving up big plays on special teams, the Cats may be headed home with their first SEC win of the season. Taking the under is likely even better bet here.
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