Kentucky opens SEC play at home against South Carolina during a full slate of college football action this Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET at Kroger Field in Lexington, with ABC on the broadcast.
The Wildcats opened as touchdown favorites on the point spread and have moved up to double-digit favorites after their season opener. The total is hovering around 45 points, and South Carolina is getting +285 odds or longer on the moneyline.
While both Kentucky and South Carolina have been breaking in new quarterbacks and other key pieces during training camp, the programs had far different results in their respective openers. Kentucky throttled Southern Miss, 31-0, and South Carolina barely got by Old Dominion, 23-19. The loss of quarterback Spencer Rattler and NFL draft pick Xavier Legette seemed to leave the Gamecocks grasping for answers on offense. Kentucky’s offense, meanwhile, was firing on all cylinders with Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff at the controls.
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Kentucky favored on a growing point spread against South Carolina
How Kentucky could cover the spread
Now that the spread has reached double digits, Kentucky will have to dominate to cover. The Wildcats are certainly capable of doing so with Vandagriff leading the offense. The 6-foot-3 junior is the first five-star recruit to start at quarterback for Kentucky, and he’ll have to be sharp this week to get a win before the Wildcats face his old team, No. 1 Georgia, in Week 3.
Kentucky might have the advantage on defense, as well, with Deone Walker anchoring the line. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound junior is a projected first-round NFL pick, and his ability to draw double teams could open everything else up for the Wildcats’ defense.
How South Carolina could cover the spread
There are some emotional factors to consider in this matchup. South Carolina scraped out a win with a poor performance in Week 1 and essentially needs this Week 2 win to salvage its chances at a quality bowl game. While the Gamecocks have been chewed out by their coaches, Kentucky’s players have been the kings of campus for a week, and they might overlook South Carolina with a massive test on tap in Week 3 against Georgia.
South Carolina’s secondary is strong enough to frustrate Vandagriff by taking away his top option, Barion Brown. The Gamecocks could also get pressure from Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart and keep this game in the proverbial mud, allowing them to stay within 10 points and potentially pull off the upset.
