The Kentucky football team (3-0, 1-0 SEC) looks to build upon an undefeated start after three games, including narrowly escaping with wins in its past two games.
Last Saturday the Kentucky football team made it much harder on themselves than it needed to be before rallying to beat an FCS team in Chattanooga 28-23 in a turnover plagued, an uninspiring effort that left Big Blue Nation scratching their heads as to what to make of this team.
The previous week they came out the victor with a hard-fought 35-28 win over Missouri in their Southeastern Conference opener. That too wasn’t a thing a beauty, but nonetheless, UK sits 3-0 on the year and 1-0 in the SEC, right where they wanted to be.
The Wildcats have laid the foundation for what they hope will be a special season, but they have a lot to clean up as the brutal portion of the SEC schedule gets underway with a four-game stretch before they reach the bye week.
Up first UK goes on the road for the first time this season traveling to Columbia for a 7:30 p.m. game at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Mark Stoops talked about how big the game is for Kentucky.
"“They’re playing good football. We’re looking forward to the challenge of going down there and playing them, trying to get another SEC East victory. Big game for us.”"
Kentucky has won six of the past seven games between the two, but the only loss was two years ago when Will Muschamp’s squad won 24-7. UK had Sawyer Smith at quarterback but it also marked Lynn Bowden’s first game taking over that role.
Prior to that, the Gamecocks had Kentucky’s number in 14 of the 15 prior battles. Overall USC holds an 18-13 all-time winning record in the series.
South Carolina (2-1, 0-1) had to fend off East Carolina 20-17 in their season opener this year, and then got run over by Georgia 40-13 last week.
Kentucky vs South Carolina Odds Week 4
The Week 4 betting odds on WynnBET currently have Kentucky as a 5.5 favorite. The under/over currently sits at 49. As for the Moneyline Kentucky is listed at -220 while South Carolina is +175.
The two teams combine to average 62.3 points per game, which is 13.3 more than the over/under. On the flip side, UK and USC combined to allow just 39.3 points per game or 9.7 fewer than the over/under.
Kentucky is 2-1 against the spread so far.
Kentucky vs South Carolina Prediction Week 4
Head to head Kentucky is averaging 476 yards per game while the South Carolina defense has allowed an average of 289 yards.
In comparison, the Gamecocks put up 358 yards of total offense per game, while the Big Blue defense surrender 274 mostly on dink and dunk plays but haven’t really given up the big play.
For Kentucky to seize control and bounce back in a big way they need to come ready to play, something that seemed to be an issue last week. And more importantly, stop turning it over and then on defense create some miscues they can’t convert to points.
The Gamecocks have turned the ball over six times this season, but UK has only forced two turnovers one being Tyrell Ajian’s 95-yard Pick Six last week that helped UK beat Chattanooga.
Kentucky has given the ball away 8 times this season. This can’t continue against teams like Florida, LSU, and Georgia, the Wildcats’ next three opponents.
The big picture says Kentucky should come away with the win and head to the Florida game setting up an undefeated battle under the Kroger Field lights. However, Kentucky can’t take anything for granted, see Chattanooga.
They haven’t played clean football yet and this would be a good time to do so.
This game will go into the fourth quarter as either team’s to win or lose. It ultimately could come down to the final possession and a Matt Ruffalo field goal.
Make your pick now on WynnBET.
As for my prediction…