First look: South Carolina the betting underdog for next football game vs. Kentucky
South Carolina is back under the lights this week, but it’s more than just a Week 12 matchup on the schedule.
The creator of the “Sandstorm” song, Darude, is heading to Columbia. And, more importantly, a win against USC’s final conference opponent, Kentucky, could set the Gamecocks up for a bowl-clinching scenario against Clemson in the Palmetto Bowl next weekend.
There’s a lot to play for in this week’s matchup between South Carolina and Kentucky.
South Carolina vs. Kentucky TV/stream info
Who: South Carolina (4-6, 2-5 SEC) vs. Kentucky (6-4, 3-4 SEC)
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Stream: via the ESPN app
Series history: This is the 35th all-time meeting between the Gamecocks and Wildcats dating back to 1937. South Carolina leads the all-time series, 19-14-1, including a 9-6-1 home advantage. Head coach Shane Beamer is 1-1 against Kentucky, including a 16-10 loss at home in 2021.
Point spread
South Carolina is a 3-point underdog in the game, according to FanDuel, and 3.5-underdog, according to OddsShark. The over/under is 50.5.
About South Carolina
South Carolina picked up its second SEC win of the season with a dominant 47-6 performance over Vanderbilt. The victory brings USC two wins away from bowl eligibility.
Wide receiver Xavier Legette surpassed 1,000 receiving yards against the Commodores, making him the fifth player to reach the mark and first since 2014. Quarterback Spencer Rattler finished the game 28-for-36 for 351 yards, three passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and one interception.
The Gamecocks’ defense had its second-straight game with two fumble recoveries, making it six defensive turnovers in two games. That came after USC had no turnovers in three straight games.
About Kentucky
Kentucky dropped its latest game to No. 8 Alabama, 49-16. It was the lowest-scoring game for the Wildcats since their 51-13 loss to No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 7.
Quarterback Devin Leary was 17-for-31 passing with 158 yards, one receiving touchdown and one interception. The Wildcats, who started the season 5-0, have dropped four of their last five games.
Gamecocks and Wildcats to watch
USC TE Joshua Simon: With fellow tight end Trey Knox available but not 100%, Simon took over the majority of Knox’s role against Vanderbilt. He had 65 receiving yards against Vandy — only behind Legette.
USC LB Bam Martin-Scott: Martin-Scott had his best performance of the season against Vanderbilt, leading the Gamecocks with a season-high 13 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a sack. His 13 tackles pushed him to a career-high 23 tackles this season, after having 14 total tackles last season.
UK RB Ray Davis: The Kentucky running back led with his 32 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns against Alabama. Davis, a transfer from Vanderbilt, has 929 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns this season, and is the only Wildcat with multiple rushing scores (11).
UK DB Zion Childress: Zion Childress had six tackles against the Crimson Tide, and a tackle for loss. He had one of seven defenders to register a TFL against Alabama. Childress has a forced fumble this season and over 50 registered tackles through 10 games.
South Carolina schedule
Oct. 7: Open week
Oct. 14: Florida 41, South Carolina 39
Oct. 21: Missouri 34, South Carolina 12
Oct. 28: Texas A&M 30, South Carolina 17
Nov. 11: South Carolina 47, Vanderbilt 6
Nov. 18: vs. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Nov. 25: vs. Clemson
