Kentucky Football vs South Carolina today: injury report, schedule, live Stream, TV channel and betting preview for Week 4 game
By Eric Thorne
Kentucky football will play its first road game of the season under the lights Saturday night trying to stay unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference and here’s all the key info on injuries, betting, how to watch, and more.
It’s time for Kentucky football to step up and prove they are ready to play with the big boys and be taken seriously when it comes to contending in the SEC. That starts with a trip to Columbia, South Carolina to face the Gamecocks.
Big Blue Nation is hoping last week’s uninspiring and listless effort where they had to hold to beat FCS Chattanooga 28-23 was an anomaly and embarrassing performance.
To do so they have to step onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium before a raucous, loud, and crazy atmosphere. How they handle it will determine if they can remain undefeated on the year.
Kentucky (3-0, 1-0) has been up and down so far with an average performance in week 1 beating Louisianna-Monroe, a great gutsy win over Missouri in the conference opener then the near clunker they nearly threw last week.
Games like this are won in the trenches something UK failed to do last week. It is South Carolina’s strength. Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall is thought and expected to be the best in the SEC but that wasn’t on display last week.
The Wall MUST give quarterback Will Levis time to throw the ball and the Gamecock secondary may be its weak spot. Wan’Dale Robinson, if he can get separation, should be able to exploit that for some big-time chunk plays. Josh Ali will also be a threat to get past the backs.
However, those familiar with football in the Bluegrass will recognize the man leading the defense in former Western Kentucky defensive coordinator Clayton White. At WKU, White built the Hilltoppers defense into the top 30 in the FBS in total defense the past two seasons.
Tight ends need to get a bunch of targets as well to balance the UK attack.
Kentucky’s running game ran wild over Missouri with Chris Rodriguez plowing his way to 206 yards, but the ground game appeared to remain in the locker room last week against a weaker Chattanooga. Expect C-Rod and Kavoisey Smoke to be a bit angry over that performance.
https://twitter.com/UKFootball/status/1441738002733039619
Defensively the Cats must get into the South Carolina backfield and pressure first-time starting quarterback Luke Doaty, who injured his foot in practice before the season began and missed the first two games. Zeb Noland, who was supposed to be a graduate assistant this year, took over but he was hurt in last week’s loss.
Brad White’s defense should smell opportunity here, but Kentucky had just one sack on Missouri and none last week.
Kentucky football vs South Carolina Injury report
Kentucky continues to avoid major injuries which is a good sign for the Cats.
As for South Carolina, the following players may miss today’s game.
QB Zeb Noland – questionable (hand): CB Cam Smith – probable (foot): LB Sherrod Greene – out (ankle): DT Rick Sandidge – out (leg): and WR Xavier Legette – out (personal).
Kentucky football vs South Carolina Odds and Betting Pick Week 2
WynnBET’s Week 4 odds have Kentucky football favored by 4.5 points against the Gamecocks on Saturday night which has dropped a point from earlier in the week odds. The matchup also has an over/under of 48.5 which is down 8 points as well. The Moneyline has Kentucky -200 while Missouri sits at +170.
South Carolina (2-1, 0-1) needed a last-second field goal against East Carolina in Week 2, and as expected followed that up with a 40-13 blowout loss to Georgia last weekend.
The Gamecocks struggle to move the ball down the field and it shows with them ranking 13th in the SEC in total, scoring, and passing offense. They rely on the running game.
Meanwhile, UK is surrendering 274.7 yards per game, which ranks 20th in FBS. It was better before the Mocs picked them apart last week.
In their undefeated start, UK is averaging 36 points per game and ranks fourth in the SEC in yards per play (7.3). More impressive is the Cats are atop the conference and are third in the nation in yards per pass attempt (11.7). Levis has found his receivers on 15 passes of at least 20 yards, which ranks second in the conference. Something non-existent last season.
Saturday will be the 33rd time UK and Gamecocks have met. While South Carolina holds an 18-13-1 lead in the series, it has been Kentucky coming out with the victory in six of the past seven meetings.
I’ll stick with my 27-21 prediction of Kentucky winning, but the Wildcats must handle the noise and protect the ball.
What Channel is the Kentucky Football Game On Week 4
The Kentucky game today will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7 pm EST and Brian Custer, Kelly Stouffer, Lauren Sisler will have the call again this week.
Kentucky versus South Carolina Live Stream
Today’s Kentucky game can be streamed live on Fubo TV.
Kentucky over the airwaves
For the radio enthusiasts, our stellar team of Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst), and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call that can be heard at 840 AM around Louisville and in the Lexington area at both 630 AM and 98.1 FM. If you are outside these areas listen online at www.UKAthletics.com.
Kentucky’s Next Game and Schedule
Kentucky’s next game will be in Week 5 on Saturday, October 2 at home against Florida. Here’s a look at their schedule for the next four weeks:
Week 5: vs Florida
Week 6: vs LSU
Week 7 @ Georgia
Week 8 BYE
Next. Don't count Stoops out in road games. dark