Kentucky hosts South Carolina in a crucial SEC matchup in Week 2 of the 2024 college football season. This Wildcats-Gamecocks clash is the first contest in SEC play this fall and the stakes are high in Lexington. In addition to a brewing rivalry between these two programs and head coaches in recent years, positioning within the conference, and early-season momentum is also at stake.
Fortunate is a good way to describe South Carolina's Week 1 victory over Old Dominion. The Gamecocks were outgained 305 to 288 by the Monarchs but survived 23-19 thanks to four forced turnovers, including an interception with less than two minutes to go to seal the victory.
Kentucky's opener against Southern Miss didn't lack for drama either. The Wildcats had a lengthy delay due to storms in the area and the contest was eventually ended early in the third quarter thanks to another round of inclement weather. Despite the choppy nature of the game, coach Mark Stoops' squad flashed potential in an easy 31-0 win over the Golden Eagles.
South Carolina holds a 20-13-1 series edge against Kentucky. The last three meetings have all been decided by 10 points or less.
South Carolina at Kentucky
Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky.
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Kentucky -10
Over/Under: 42.5
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, and Molly McGrath
Why South Carolina Will Win
Defense. It's clear from last week's game South Carolina's offense behind first-year starter LaNorris Sellers is a work in progress. However, the Gamecocks showed progress on defense down the stretch in November last season and improved this unit through the portal. Georgia Tech transfer Kyle Kennard (3.5 TFL against Old Dominion) and true freshman Dylan Stewart (1.5 sacks) were instrumental in holding the Monarchs to 108 rushing yards and forcing five overall sacks in last week's win.
Sellers went 10 of 23 for 114 passing yards versus ODU last Saturday but was a key cog in South Carolina's rushing attack. Arkansas transfer Rocket Sanders (88 yards) and Sellers (68) combined for 156 yards on the ground last week and have to lead the way once again for the Gamecocks' upset hopes. Staying on schedule and in manageable third downs will be crucial against a standout Kentucky defense.
And of course, coach Shane Beamer knows a thing or two about key plays on special teams. In a tight game or a contest with limited offense as is expected on Saturday, perhaps the Gamecocks can deploy a trick play on special teams to steal a possession or convert on fourth down.
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Why Kentucky Will Win
With a low-scoring game anticipated, Kentucky has the better defense and an offense that seems more capable of piecing together enough drives to find an edge on the scoreboard.
Led by standout lineman Deone Walker and one of the nation's top linebacker units, the Wildcats held Southern Miss to just five rushing yards last week. That total was no fluke considering Stoops' defense finished second in the SEC against the run in '23. Sellers and Sanders will challenge this front, but Kentucky has the personnel to stop the Gamecocks' ground game, forcing the offense into a situation where its not comfortable right now - obvious passing downs.
In his first start at Kentucky, Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff impressed with 12 completions over 18 attempts for 169 yards and three scores. Additionally, he added 35 yards on the ground. Vandagriff boasts a strong trio of receivers - Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Ja'Mori Maclin - that will test a South Carolina secondary that allowed too many big plays last season. Projected No. 1 running back Chip Trayanum is out indefinitely due to a hand injury, but the trio of Jason Patterson, Jamarion Wilcox, and Demie Sumo-Karngbaye will keep the Kentucky ground game going against a tough South Carolina front.
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Final Analysis
Don't expect a ton of points in this one. Both defenses should control the pace and two young quarterbacks will have their share of growing pains. Seven of last eight meetings between these two teams resulted in the total going 40 points or less. Don't expect much on the scoreboard, but Kentucky's defense and the ability to do more offensively will be the difference.
Prediction: Kentucky 27, South Carolina 13
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