EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, September 29^th, the (2-1) South Carolina Gamecocks will be on the road to take on the (4-0) Kentucky Wildcats.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Kentucky 33.6 – South Carolina 25.9 with an over/under of 54.7.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of South Carolina 24 – Kentucky 21.

Mark is predicting a final score of Kentucky 30 – South Carolina 26.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: South Carolina 279.0 YPG > Kentucky 158.3 YPG

Rushing offense: Kentucky 269.0 YPG > South Carolina 196.7 YPG

Scoring offense: Kentucky 34.5 PPG > South Carolina 34.3 PPG

Scoring defense: Kentucky 13.3 PPG > South Carolina 23.3 PPG

Passing defense: South Carolina 168.7 YPG > Kentucky 173.5 YPG

Rushing defense: Kentucky 106.0 YPG > South Carolina 163.0 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: South Carolina -0.3 > Kentucky -1.3

Summary:

South Carolina is (2-1) to start the season with wins over Coastal Carolina and Vanderbilt.  Their only loss was a 41-17 home defeat against the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs.  The Gamecocks rank 51^st in points per game (34.3) and 57^th in scoring defense (23.3). PPG).  South Carolina is averaging 477 yards of total offense per game.  Quarterback Jake Bentley has completed 68% of his passes for 780 yards with 6 touchdowns to 3 interceptions.  Running back Rico Dowdle leads the team with 235 rush yards and 2 touchdowns.  Nothing about the Gamecocks really stands out but they also don’t have any glaring weaknesses.

Kentucky has skyrocketed to #17 in the AP Poll after going (4-0) to start the season.  Kentucky has victories over Central Michigan, #25 Florida, Murray State, and #14 Mississippi State.  The Wildcats rank 48^th in points per game (34.5) and 7^th in scoring defense (13.3 PPG).  Kentucky has survived suspect quarterback play from Terry Wilson who has completed 67% of his passes for 463 yards with 2 touchdowns to 4 interceptions.  Wilson has been effective in the ground game and is the team’s second leading rusher with 241 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Running back Benny Snell Jr. is an absolute stud rushing for 540 yards (6.2 YPC) and 7 touchdowns.  Kentucky’s receiving corps is nothing to write home about as only five players have caught a pass this season.  The Wildcats defense has been excellent thus far especially against the run.  Ball security has been an issue as Kentucky (-1.3) ranks 118^th out of 130 teams in turnover margin.

Bottom Line:

Kentucky is rolling right now and nobody has been able to stop Benny Snell Jr. this season.  The Wildcats have deficiencies in the passing game and with turnovers but have so far masked those with a great rushing attack and tremendous defense.  South Carolina is a well-balanced team ranking middle of the pack in nearly every category.  If Kentucky can protect the football I give them the edge at home.

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