The South Carolina Gamecocks host the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon in SEC action. We have reached the point in the season where we need to reevaluate some of our pre-season expectations, and these two teams are prime examples. The Wildcats have proven to be quite relevant in the SEC, even pulling off a road upset of Texas A&M. South Carolina, on the other hand, is a program in disarray. Their scheme is a mess, their head coach is at risk of not finishing the season and their star defensive end has gotten himself suspended indefinitely. I think we need to take a serious look at a Kentucky upset here, so I am taking the points with the Wildcats at +2.5.
Let’s start with the Gamecocks. New OC Kendal Briles was supposed to maximize the talent of LaNorris Sellers. Instead, Sellers has been rather pedestrian and turnover-prone. The offensive line is thin and not great, but the Gamecocks have at least managed to run the ball effectively so far. For the Wildcats, new coach Will Stein has transformed the program and given the Cats some credibility. They lack depth across the board, but the defense has been competitive, while the offense has enough threat through the air to maintain space to run underneath, which is their preferred method of attack. I think we have a team with some confidence facing a locker room in disarray, and I am taking the points with the Wildcats.
Kentucky vs South Carolina prediction: Kentucky Wildcats +2.5 (+100) available at the time of publishing. Playable to pk.
