The gamecocks are 12-6-1 vs UK with the last meeting in Columbia being a 38-23 victory for USC. This will be the 20th time that Kentucky and South Carolina are to meet in the schools history … The Gamecocks have a eight-game winning streak vs. UK. Four of the last six meetings with the Gamecocks have been determined by seven points or less. Spurrier, who has a 15-0 career record against Kentucky, has some work to do today.
UK owns a 4-1 record after dropping a 17-14 decision to No. 2 Alabama in its SEC opener. But this UK team will not go down easy….From the No. 1 defense in the nation in the most significant statistical category of them all — fewest points allowed — to the best kickoff return group in the country to a newfound depth and team speed, this is not the old Kentucky team college football fans have come to know.
The 5 keys that will have to be executed for a Gamecock win are —
1. USC must control the line — On both sides of the football, the gamecocks must win the battles in the trenches today. The offense has to create some holes to run through then give Smelley (or Garcia – who I think will play today) time to throw. On defense, the line must get the push and create havoc in the backfield. USC has to pressure the UK QB today and not give him time to pick the ‘D’ apart.
2. Win the TO game — Just like vs Ole Miss, USC must have zero mistakes on offense and protect the ball. But on D the USC team has to create opportunities and capitalize on UK mistakes. In the Ole Miss game, it was the first time in six games that USC had won the turnover battle. In their seven-point losses to Vanderbilt and Georgia, the Gamecocks had a total of five turnovers and one takeaway. Overall, USC is 10th in the SEC and tied for 100th out of 119 teams nationally in turnover margin at minus-5. No more of this…..time for USC to not beat themselves and at the same time help themselves by getting the ball.
3. USC QB — Smelley it is time to shine. It is simple. A Spurrier Offense is designed around strong QB play and this happens then it make him look like genius. If the USC QB has trouble then look out as the UK D is good and can make it a long day. I think Garcia may see some designed runs as I still feel there is some schemes that could work for him. Against a strong D, a running QB can do some good things.
4. Special Teams — UK can hurt ya. Tackle on the PR and KR and don’t let UK score easy. Succopp have better have a rested leg b/c I feel he will be needed today. This key also factors in to USC must win the field position game today. Need some magic on SP like a nice return or two or something b/c it will be a struggle so we need something easy to help out.
5. TE Cook — I feel he has to step up and have a big game. UK runs a great man defense so having Cook will create a mis-match that we must exploit. Not to say we have to target him every time but look for Cook as he could be open.
My prediction is a USC 20 UK 17 WIN!
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