As Kentucky and South Carolina both look to get their seasons back on track, all eyes are on the pivotal SEC showdown in Columbia this Saturday. Both Mark Stoops and Shane Beamer are facing immense pressure, and a loss for either team would be a devastating blow. So what do the oddsmakers in Las Vegas think will happen?
They are predicting a close, hard-fought, and low-scoring affair.
The opening line
Once a trendy CFP pick, South Carolina is 0-2 in the SEC and in must-win territory vs. Kentucky
— KSR (@KSRonX) September 21, 2025
"We are not where we need to be."
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According to the opening odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, the South Carolina Gamecocks are a -5.5 point favorite at home. The over/under for the game has been set at 46.5 points.
A 5.5-point spread is a pretty good indicator that Vegas sees the home-field advantage at a hostile Williams-Brice Stadium as a significant factor, but it also suggests the two teams are viewed as being very evenly matched. The low total of 46.5 points is the most telling part of the line. Oddsmakers are not expecting an offensive shootout; they are bracing for a defensive "slugfest" between two teams with struggling offenses and a healthy dose of animosity.
A battle of struggling offenses
The low total makes perfect sense when you look at the numbers. South Carolina currently ranks dead last in the SEC in total offense, averaging a paltry 300.5 yards per game. Kentucky hasn't been much better, coming in at 13th with just over 385 yards per game.
While quarterback LaNorris Sellers was expected to be a breakout star for the Gamecocks, the offense has yet to find its rhythm. On paper, Kentucky may actually have the slight offensive edge, but their own inconsistencies make this a true toss-up.
This game, kicking off at 7:45 PM ET under the lights, has all the makings of a classic, gritty SEC rock fight where the first team to 20 points might just win. Prepare to hear Sandstorm over and over.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion