Kentucky vs. South Carolina: Who has the Edge?
By Paul Jordan
This week’s version of the comparison of the Kentucky and South Carolina rosters is going to be a little tougher than I thought because there is so much parity between the two teams. The Gamecocks will have momentum on their side after knocking off #1 Alabama, but will find a hostile crowd waiting foe them when they travel to Lexington to play the Wildcats who just fell short of knocking off #8 Auburn. So how do the teams compare? I’m glad you asked.
QUARTERBACK
Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia has seen his share of ups and downs since he joined South Carolina as part of their 2007 class but he’s managed to rebound to a high point so far this season. He’s thrown 8 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions while completing 72% of his throws for 944 yards. Wildcat quarterback Mike Hartline has seen his share of ups and downs since he joined Kentucky as part of its 2007 class but he’s also managed to rebound to a high point so far this season. He’s thrown 9 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions while completing 67% of his throws for 1442 yards. While Hartline has a touchdown and nearly five hundred yards on Garcia, his completion percentage is 5% lower. This one probably should be a “push,” but I’m picking Hartline because of his advantage in yards and because Randall Cobb has stolen a couple of his goal line throws.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
RUNNING BACK
Kentucky starter Derrick Locke sustained multiple arm injuries during the Auburn game and his participation is uncertain. Backups Donald Russell and Raymond Sanders have played well in limited action so far this season, but neither has been asked to carry any semblance of the load they will be required to if Locke cannot go against South Carolina. Freshman Marcus Lattimore has been the primary ball carrier for the Gamecocks and has proved his talents early in his freshman season. He’s piled up 459 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. If Locke is healthy, this one is a no-brainer and Kentucky gets the nod, without Locke, there’s a lot of offense for the Wildcats to replace. I’ll assume he won’t play this week and give the nod to South Carolina, but Russell AND Sanders are both averaging more yards per carry than Lattimore (4.6 and 4.9 respectively), so this one might still be too close to call.
The Edge: SOUTH CAROLINA
WIDE RECIEVERS/TIGHT END
The Gamecocks will feature Alshon Jeffery and Tori Guley at receiver and Patrick DiMarco as a H-back/TE. The trio has accounted for 816 yards and 8 touchdowns. Kentucky features Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews at receiver and Jordan Aumiller at tight end. They’ve combined for 827 total yards and 10 touchdowns, and that doesn’t even include LaRod King or Matt Roark who’ve each contributed over 100 receiving yards this year. Alshon Jeffery might be the best natural receiver of the group, but Kentucky’s depth at the positions and the impact Randall Cobb can have on a game give the Cats the boost.
The edge: KENTUCKY
OFFENSIVE LINE
South Carolina brings a big veteran line to Lexington this Saturday led by senior left tackle Jarriel King. The unit has allowed 13 sacks on the year and has paved the way for the offense to tally 1872 yards on the season. Kentucky’s line will be led by junior left tackle Chandler Burden and junior guard Stuart Hines, who’s now recovered and ready to contribute. The Wildcats have surrendered only 3 sacks on the year and has allowed the offense to gain 2604 yards of offense on the year. In reality, the South Carolina line is probably better player-to player, but as a unit the Kentucky line wins out based on production.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Wildcats have had a hard time along the defensive line this year but junior Mark Crawford was moved to the starting lineup for Auburn and did play well. Senior defensive end DeQuin Evans was expected to be the leader of the defense but he’s made almost no impact this year and is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game. The unit as a whole has tallied 11 sacks on the year, but is allowing opposing offenses an average of 343 yards per game. The South Carolina defensive line is led by defensive tackle Travian Robertson and defensive end Devin Taylor. Senior defensive end Cliff Matthews has been relatively disappointing thus far, but the unit as a whole is getting to the quarterback consistently and has 19 sacks on the year. However, they have also allowed opposing offenses to average 365 yards per game. Until Kentucky’s line can consistently get to the quarterback and finish with a sack, it’ll be tough to pick the Cats here.
The Edge: SOUTH CAROLINA
LINEBACKERS
The Gamecocks have a veteran group of linebackers led by senior Josh Dickerson. They have managed to scrape by to this point, but for an experienced group of players, their performances so far this season have been underwhelming and have allowed the defensive backs to make the lion’s chare of the tackles with 5 DBs in the top 6 tacklers for SC. The Wildcats are led by junior Danny Trevathan who has amassed 14 total tackles (59) more on the year than the three starters for South Carolina combined (45). Junior Ronnie Sneed has actually equaled Dickerson in tackles at 27 by himself. Kentucky wins this one, and I’d pick Trevathan over South Carolina’s unit by himself.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kentucky has had a pretty good year in the defensive backfield and has held opponents to only 153 yards a game through the air. South Carolina hasn’t fared as well and opponents are averaging 255 passing yards per game. The Wildcat defensive backfield has made a big impact tackling the runners with 71 total tackles between starting safeties Winston Guy and Mychal Bailey, but the group as a whole has continually struggled to make open field tackles on a consistent basis. The Gamecocks have seen their starting defensive backs account for 104 total tackles, but many of those have been after the receiver made the catch. Neither group has shown a penchant for intercepting the opposing quarterback though and they have a combined 4 interceptions between both teams’ starting defensive backs. This is an ugly one to pick, but Kentucky gets the nod due to the limited damage they’ve allowed opposing offenses to get through the passing game.
The Edge: KENTUCKY
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kentucky will sweep just about every team when you compare kick and punt returners and South Carolina is no different. Both punters are doing well and have remarkably similar numbers. Kickers Spencer Lanning and Craig McIntosh are about on par, but Lanning is hitting 80% of his field goals compared to McIntosh’s 75%. The big difference between the two teams is coverage. South Carolina is covering both kicks and punts well where Kentucky is struggling to cover either well.
The Edge: SOUTH CAROLINA
COACHING
First off, let me say that I cannot stand Steve Spurrier. If there’s a
more arrogant coach in college football, I’d like you to tell me who. The guy thinks he craps gold and he’s accomplished next to nothing in his time at South Carolina. He’s like an old version of Mike “The Situation” wearing a visor. I also want to disclaim that I like Joker Phillips a lot. All things considered though, Spurrier has been the head coach at South Carolina for 6 years and has NFL experience (albeit not such a great stint) to go along with seven SEC championships and a national championship at Florida. Joker’s resume is still a little light to take out Spurrier here.
The Edge: SOUTH CAROLINA
I want to close by advising all Kentucky fans not to get carried away this week. Now you all may be tempted to make inappropriate innuendos because the South Carolina teams are often referred to as “Cocks” and Kentucky’s mascot is essentially a feral pussycat, but you have to fight the urge. It will probably be difficult to stop your girlfriend or wife from wanting to say something about “cats” (or another term used to identify a feline) being better than “cocks,” but it is your duty to stop her and remind her that the game will be on national television and it would not be good for her family, preacher, students, co-workers, or whoever to see her with that sign or homemade t-shirt. It is not, nor will it ever be clever. Just think about how stupid all the men walking around with hats and t-shirts that say “Cocks” or “Go Cocks” or “I Love the Cocks” look to the rest of the world and laugh quietly to yourself or yourselves.
Stay classy San Diego.
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