Huge Game For Both Teams
Over the last few years, the rivalry between Kentucky and South Carolina has become quite spirited. It’s even gotten the two head coaches involved. Saturday at 3:30 at Kroger Field on ABC it’s the SEC opener for the two schools. Throw in the fact the SEC Nation crew will be in attendance adds even more fuel to the fire. Let’s take a look at both teams, some keys to the game, and a score prediction as Kentucky hosts South Carolina.
Showing Some Good Signs
The sample size was relatively small on Saturday since UK only played a little over a half. However, what the Big Blue Nation saw from new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s offense was positive. In the shutout of Southern Mississippi, the Cats ran 42 plays in a little over two quarters. A season ago they ranked at the bottom in college football averaging 54.9 plays per game.
Brock Vandagriff‘s debut was a good one as well. While he did throw an interception on the first series, he quickly recovered. Overall Vandagriff looked good throwing for 169 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he hit five different receivers and ran for another 35 yards.
The defense looked as good as advertised garnering only the second shutout in Stoops’ 12 years in Lexington. They’ll need to be strong on Saturday afternoon against the Gamecocks. Speaking of the visitors let’s take a closer look at them as Kentucky Hosts South Carolina.
Scouting the Gamecocks
Shane Beamer’s club also comes into Saturday with a 1-0 record. However, they had a much tougher time getting the win. USC’s defense forced two fumbles inside the 10-yard line leading to their touchdowns. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers scored with 6:11 to go and the defense held the rest of the way in a 23-19 win.
Overall Sellers completed only 10 of 23 passes for 114 yards. In addition, he ran for another 68 yards. Raheim Sanders, a former All-SEC running back at Arkansas, rushed for 88 yards and a score.
On defense, one player to watch is Edge rusher Dylan Stewart. A true freshman, Stewart made 4 tackles, had 1.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles.
how in the world is this is a true freshman pic.twitter.com/6Jq9qghsbQ
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 3, 2024
The Big Blue Wall’s going to have to keep him from disrupting things on Saturday. As we move along with our preview as Kentucky hosts South Carolina let’s take a look at the rivalry.
Series History
The series between the two schools is best described as one of streaks. Overall the Gamecocks lead 20 wins to 14 with one tie. UK and USC have played every year since Carolina joined the SEC in 1992. From 2000-2009 the Gamecocks won 10 straight. From 2014-2012 Kentucky won seven of eight. However, Beamer’s club comes into Saturday on a two-game win streak.
Two years ago Will Levis didn’t play due to a foot injury and Carolina won in Lexington 24-14. A season ago Kentucky played one of its worst games under Stoops as Spencer Rattler threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Legette with 7:44 left in the game to give South Carolina a 17-14 victory. UK lost the turnover battle by three and committed seven penalties, many in crucial moments.
Overall Stoops is 6-5 in SEC openers while Beamer is 0-3. If we being honest two of those losses were against Georgia.
Now that we’ve looked at both teams and given you some history it’s prediction time as Kentucky hosts South Carolina.
Who Wins on Saturday?
As we mentioned in the beginning this has recently become quite the rivalry. Though they say they’ve moved on Stoops and Beamer traded shots at each other. At the 2022 Media Days, the UK head man referenced a video of USC’s coach wearing sunglasses and dancing to Soulja Boy.
After winning in Lexington in 2022 Beamer celebrated by how else? Dancing to Soulja Boy.
Climate check 😎 pic.twitter.com/z9yv0lY14e
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 9, 2022
Back to Saturday not only is it the conference game but a very important one at that. Both teams feel like it’s a game they have to win. Back in the summer, it’s one we highlighted UK had to have in order for a successful season.
UK will once again be without Chip Trayanum who broke a bone in his hand. In his absence, Demie Sumo-Karnbaye ran for 58 yards while Vandagriff added 35 and freshman Jason Patterson 28. Kentucky must run the ball well and keep Stewart out of the backfield.
On the other side of the ball, UK must pressure Sellers and contain Sanders. In addition, South Carolina is known for special teams trickery so they can’t let down there either. One last thing they have to hold onto the ball. Over the last three games, Carolina has an 8-2 advantage in turnovers.
Win this one and it’s likely ESPN College Gameday will be heading to Lexington for next week’s battle against Georgia. Lose and making a good bowl game gets a lot tougher with a demanding schedule. UK opened as a 10-point favorite and for a second straight week covers the spread.
Kentucky 31-17
Thanks for checking out our preview here at Last Word On College Football as Kentucky hosts South Carolina.
