Game Preview and Analysis

Three Key Match-Ups

USC LB Bryson Allen-Williams vs. UK QB Stephen Johnson

Will Muschamp and company have been very creative in using LB Bryson Allen-Williams this season. BAW has spent the majority of his time at the BUCK position, which allows him to rush the passer and disrupt the timing of the offense. UK QB Stephen Johnson will be leading his team into a hostile environment and will need to be calm and collected for the Wildcats. If BAW can disrupt the timing of the UK offense and be on Johnson’s radar each play, it could be a long night for the Wildcats offense.

USC WR Deebo Samuel vs. UK SS Mike Edwards

South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel has been undoubtedly one of the most electric players of the first two weeks. He has five overall TD’s: two receiving, two KOR’s for TD’s, and one rushing touchdown. Kentucky SS Mike Edwards is one of the best returning defenders for the Wildcats. He had an impressive 100 tackles last year and earned 2nd team SEC honors. The Gamecocks will need to be creative in how they use Samuel on offense. Expect a lot of speed sweeps, deep routes, and screen plays to Samuel. He’s the type of player that needs to touch the ball and could make the UK defense pay if they over-pursue.

USC LB TJ Brunson vs. UK TE C.J. Conrad

Previously mentioned, TJ Brunson has arguably been the Gamecocks most impressive LB thus far. He currently sits second in the SEC with 22 tackles on the season, including a 16 tackle game week one against NC State. On the other side, the Wildcats feature a dynamic TE in C.J. Conrad, who may remind Gamecock fans of their own Hayden Hurst. Conrad has been QB Stephen Johnson’s favorite target all year long and that shouldn’t change Saturday. The Gamecocks will rely on Brunson’s sure tackling and coverage skills in order to remove him from the UK offensive game-plan.

Prediction

After two straight games on the road, the Gamecocks finally return home to the friendly confines of Williams-Brice Stadium. The Wildcats three game winning streak against South Carolina may be one of the strangest stats in the SEC. UK came into the season with tons of hype and were expected by many to compete for the SEC East title. Now, it’s the Gamecocks who look like real players in the East.

To say this is a huge game for both teams would be an understatement. For the Wildcats, they’ll look to bounce back after two below average performances and show they’re ready to compete in the SEC East. For South Carolina, it’s about revenge for a three game losing streak and building off the momentum they’ve gained thus far. The Gamecocks will need to stop the run Saturday night, something Kentucky has done extremely well in their three game winning streak.

Simply put, this game won’t be close. South Carolina has momentum on their side and the Wildcats have looked extremely average. They trailed Eastern Kentucky 13-10 at halftime at home last weekend and needed a strong comeback and fortuitous turnovers to win 27-13. Meanwhile, QB Jake Bentley and the South Carolina offense are improving every game and Muschamp has the defense bought in to his “bend but don’t break” mentality. Night game, at home, blackout, and revenge on their minds in front of a sold out crowd in Columbia, SC. South Carolina gets ahead early and never looks back.

Final Score: South Carolina 41, Kentucky 10