5 Things You Need to Know About the South Carolina Gamecocks

It has felt like a tale of two season for the Kentucky Wildcats. Coach Stoops and company started year off 5-0 and climbed to #20 in the AP Poll. The 51-13 beatdown in Athens was disappointing, but the result itself wasn’t unexpected. Then, everything changed about 20 minutes into the game against Missouri. Kentucky had a 14-0 lead with Mizzou in punt formation in the second quarter. However, a fake punt touchdown turned the tables and the Tigers left Kroger Field with a 38-21 win. The Wildcats have now lost four of their last five games and to fall to 6-4, 3-4 on the season. How these next two weeks go will ultimately shape how this tale of two seasons gets viewed. A trip to South Carolina to face the 4-6, 2-5 Gamecocks is the first of those two deciding games.

South Carolina has shown life throughout the season but it hasn’t translated well to the win column. They hung tough for a half against North Carolina, went the distance at #1 Georgia, lost to Florida by two points, and held an early lead at Texas A&M. However, they also finished all of those games with losses. The Gamecocks are coming off of back-to-back wins against Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt, but must beat both Kentucky and Clemson to become bowl eligible. Even in the friendly confines of Williams Brice Stadium that will be an uphill battle.

As always, we have all of your pregame needs right here on Kentucky Sports Radio dot com for the 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff on SEC Network between the Kentucky Wildcats and the South Carolina Gamecocks. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report. That is your in-depth, football-nerd preview. Also, a special shoutout to our own Freddie Maggard. Please stop reading this article and click the link to read what Freddie wrote this week. It is powerful. For those in search of a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday night, you are in the right place. Let’s dive on in to five things you need to know about the Gamecocks.

Spencer Rattler Leads the Way

The results don’t necessarily reflect it, but Spencer Rattler has been a very productive quarterback this season. He is eighth nationally in completion percentage at 70.6% while tossing it nearly 35 times per game. His 8.4 yards per attempt, 43.3% success rate, and 20% explosive rate are all impressive as well. Rattler is closing in on another 3,000 yard season having completed 240 of 340 passes for 2,867 yard and 17 touchdowns. In his time in Columbia the former five-star recruit is sitting at 75 touchdown passes and over 10,000 yards.

For the South Carolina Gamecocks to put points up not he board they need a big game from their quarterback. He has delivered five games of 300 yards or more, but only two of those performances came against Southeastern Conference competition. Rattler has dominated the last two weeks and was nearly perfect back when the Gamecocks defeated Mississippi State. However, he has also really struggled in contests against Texas A&M, Missouri, and Tennessee. Kentucky must be ready to tackle as South Carolina relies on a lot of short, quick passes. Coach Stoops’ bend, don’t break style could lead to this game being decided in the red zone.

Gamecocks Game-Changer at Wide Receiver

When Spencer Rattler drops back to pass you can rest assured he is giving a good, hard look at Xavier Legette. The 6’3″ super senior leads the South Carolina Gamecocks in just about every relevant receiving category. He is tops in receptions (59), targets (78), receiving yards (1,093), receiving touchdowns (5), and explosive receptions (27). A pretty clear formula has emerged for opponents as well. If you can hold Legette to under 75 yards you will win. The Gamecocks are 0-4 when that happens. However, it is very difficult to slow down the explosive pass-catcher. He is going to be the focal point of South Carolina’s passing attack on Saturday night.

Struggling Rushing Attack

If the South Carolina Gamecocks can’t get it going through the air it will be tough sledding on the ground. Mario Anderson, a Division II transfer, has been productive this season. The 5’9″ redshirt senior is posting 5.5 yards per carry accumulating 645 yards and three touchdowns. However, there is absolutely no help around him. Spencer Rattler has been the Gamecocks second best ground threat gaining 322 yards and finding the end zone four times. Other ball carriers such as Dakereon Joyner and Juju McDowell simply haven’t found any success. Kentucky should be able to really focus on the passing game in Columbia on Saturday night.

South Carolina’s Very Weak Pass Defense

This might be the final year in Columbia for defensive coordinator Clayton White. His unit simply hasn’t been very good over the last three years and it led to an overall scheme change heading into last week’s game. The South Carolina Gamecocks defense went from a 4-2-5 scheme to a 3-3-5 and it worked at least well enough to beat Vanderbilt handily. Will it be enough to slow down Devin Leary and the Wildcats? We will find out under the lights at Williams Brice Stadium.

On the season, the Gamecocks are allowing 28.6 points per game (92nd nationally), 7.9 yards per pass (105th), and a quarterback rating of 138.81 (92nd). Vanderbilt put up just six point last week, but every other opponent had scored at least 21 against South Carolina before that. An inexperienced secondary has led to opponents finding success through the air. They have been able to produce some pass breakups, but it has been somewhat feast or famine. Aside from their best cornerback Marcellas Dial who is a redshirt senior, the Gamecocks will feature two sophomores and a freshman primarily in the secondary. Devin Leary and company will have some opportunities in the air attack on Saturday night.

Reliant on Stopping the Run

We know the South Carolina Gamecocks aren’t overly effective running the ball on offense. They also aren’t very good at defending the passing game defensively. However, they have found some success at stuffing the run. They are 41st nationally allowing just 3.73 yards per rush. A lot of that strength against the run comes right up the middle of the Gamecocks defense as they feature Tonka Hemingway and T.J. Sanders on the line along with Debo Williams at linebacker. All three have been highly productive and can create some havoc in the backfield as well. Kentucky should be able to sling the ball around the field, but finding some running lanes for Ray Davis could be harder to come by.