Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, September 12, 2015, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: SEC Network
Williams Brice Stadium – Columbia, South Carolina
Opening Line: South Carolina -9 1/2
Current Line: South Carolina -7
Opening Total: 58 1/2
Current Total: 55 1/2
Opening Money Line: South Carolina -280 / Kentucky +230
Current Money Line: South Carolina -300 / Kentucky +250
Both Kentucky and South Carolina were picked near the bottom of the SEC in the pre-season. The two schools open SEC play against each other Saturday in Columbia. With so many tough teams in the SEC, this game is crucial for both teams because frankly there aren’t a lot of winnable conference games for either team.
South Carolina leads the series 17-8-1 against Kentucky, including 8-3-1 in Columbia. The Wildcats upset the Gamecocks 45-38 last year in Lexington. Kentuck won that game on a pick six on a tipped pass in the fourth quarter. South Carolina has won 13 of the last 15 games in the series.
Kentucky, coached by Mark Stoops, opened the season with a 40-33 win over Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday in Lexington. South Carolina, coached by Steve Spurrier, opened the season with a 17-13 win over North Carolina last Thursday in Charlotte.
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Kentucky was a 17 point favorite over UL-Lafayette and the total was 58. It was the first game in a newly renovated Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky jumped out to an early 21-0 lead. ULL didn’t score until midway through the second quarter when they made it 21-7. Kentucky added a field goal late in the second to take a 24-7 lead into halftime. Each team scored a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter but Kentucky missed an extra point. Still, the Wildcats would take a 33-17 lead into the fourth. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored two touchdowns and also converted two point conversions on both drives to tie the score at 33 with 7:36 left. The Wildcats drove down the field 58 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds left. Kentucky grabbed an interception on the last play of the game to seal the win 40-33.
Kentucky had 435 total yards including 257 passing and 178 rushing yards. ULL had 479 total yards including 247 rushing yards. Kentucky had 18 first downs to 27 for ULL. The Cajuns had four turnovers and 7 penalties for 70 yards. The Wildcats had 4 penalties and one turnover. ULL had the ball for over 37 minutes.
Quarterback Patrick Towles completed 16 of 34 passes for 257 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception. Running back Stanley Williams had 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. Mikel Horton had a rushing touchdown. Garrett Johnson had 5 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Dorian Baker had 3 catches for 50 yards. Jeff Badet and Blake Bone each had a touchdown. Five defensive players are listed as questionable or out Saturday.
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South Carolina was a one point favorite against North Carolina and the total was 62. North Carolina opened the scoring with five minutes left in the first to make it 7-0. South Carolina tied it up on the first play of the second quarter. North Carolina would kick two field goals before halftime, and South Carolina would add one to make it 13-10 Tar Heels at halftime. Neither team would score in the third quarter. South Carolina running back Shon Carson scored on a 48 yard touchdown run early in the fourth. North Carolina drove down to the South Carolina 8 with just over 3 minutes left. The Tar Heels threw an interception in the end zone on fourth and 8. It was the third red zone turnover for the Tar Heels. South Carolina picked up a couple of first downs to run out the clock.
South Carolina had 394 total yards including 254 rushing yards. North Carolina had 440 total yards including 208 rushing yards. The Gamecocks had 22 first downs and the Tar Heels had 20. South Carolina had 8 penalties for 60 yards. UNC had the only three turnovers of the game. USC had the ball for over 35 minutes.
Quarterback Connor Mitch completed 9 of 22 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries. Mitch is probable with a hip injury. Carson had 4 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Wilds had 14 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown, along with 4 catches for 44 yards. He is probable with a shoulder injury. David Williams had 10 carries for 42 yards. Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper had 3 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, along with 20 rushing yards. Terry Googer had 2 catches for 39 yards. Thirteen players are listed on the injury port, including 9 who are questionable or out.
Kentucky is 4-1 ATS after a straight up win, 5-2 after allowing more than 450 total yards, 4-10 in September, 7-19 in road games, 6-18 in SEC games, 1-4 overall and on grass. The last eight games in this series have gone over the total.
South Carolina is 4-1 ATS after allowing more than 200 rushing yards, overall, on grass, and after allowing less than 20 points, 5-2 after passing for less than 170 yards, 9-4 against teams with winning records, 4-9 after a cover, and 2-6 in September. The last seven games in Columbia in this series have gone over the total.
Both teams have a ton of injuries. Both teams also benefited from numerous turnovers by their opponent last week. The two teams gave up a ton of yards, and I think this will be a high scoring game. I like the Gamecocks to win at home.
