College Football Preview: Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Preview

The Kentucky Wildcats football team will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in a Southeastern Conference (SEC) East Division matchup on Saturday, September 16th. The Wildcats are coming off of a 10-3 season in 2022, while the Gamecocks are looking to improve on their 8-5 record from last year.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats are led by head coach Mark Stoops, who is entering his 11th season at the helm. Stoops has led Kentucky to four bowl games, including the Citrus Bowl in 2022. The Wildcats return several key players from last season, including quarterback Will Levis, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Levis is a preseason All-SEC selection and is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Rodriguez is one of the most productive running backs in the SEC, and Robinson is a dynamic playmaker who can make big plays in the passing game.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks are led by head coach Shane Beamer, who is entering his third season at South Carolina. Beamer has led the Gamecocks to a bowl game in each of his first two seasons, including the Duke's Mayo Bowl in 2022. The Gamecocks return several key players from last season, including quarterback Spencer Rattler, running back Marshawn Lloyd, and wide receiver Dakereon Joyner. Rattler is a transfer from Oklahoma who is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC this season. Lloyd is a talented running back who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and Joyner is a big-play threat who can stretch the field.

Matchup

The matchup between Kentucky and South Carolina is a key one in the SEC East Division. Both teams are looking to challenge Georgia for the division title, and a win in this game would be a big step in that direction. Kentucky has won the last two meetings between the two teams, but South Carolina has a 17-16-1 overall record in the series. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, September 16th, and will be televised on ESPN.