No. 25 South Carolina- Kentucky: Five Keys To a Gamecocks Victory

South Carolina has the chance to have a very special season.  Sitting at 4-1 and 25th in the polls is a great position for this team to be in.

This Saturday, they face a stiff test in Kentucky.  Kentucky is viewed as a poor team by most.  However, it is truly difficult to tell how good they truly are.  They beat two very bad teams, and got destroyed by two of the best the SEC has to offer.  How will they handle a team that is just good? 

This game will say alot about South Carolina.  Will they destroy Kentucky and establish themselves as a potential force?  Will they squeak out another close W and continue to shroud themselves in mystery?  Or will they lose and begin the spiral that South Carolina fans are all too familiar with?

Here are my five keys to a USC victory.

1. Establish dominance early.

Nothing will help this team more on Saturday then to take Kentucky to the woodshed for the first few drives.  An early touchdown, turnover, or three and out would go a long way in not only increasing South Carolina's confidence, but would also serve to demoralize Kentucky's already down team.

If the "here we go again" mindset settles in for Kentucky, South Carolina will win BIG.

2. Pressure Mike Hartline into making poor throws. 

With five interceptions on the season, Hartline has shown an inability to remain calm in the pocket.  He often tries to force throws and create downfield opportunities.  Eric Norwood and co. should live in the backfield this week. 

3. Stuff the potentialy potent running game of the Wildcats.

Kentucky has players that can run well, led by Derrick Locke with a 4.4 ypc average.  South Carolina needs to have big games from all of their interior linemen, and hope that there is enough depth there to compete.  The linebackers will have to be careful in run support.  They need to be discaplined and run the schemes as they are designed.

If there is too much free wheeling by the linebackers, South Carolina could have issues.

4. Continue to establish the running game. 

South Carolina has done a nice job utilizing its quadruple-headed backfield.  Giles and Miles seem like feature backs, and Maddox has done a nice job pounding the ball and getting the tough yards.

Sherman remains a mystery, but he could be a home run threat at the position.

The running game has truly come to life over the past few weeks, and South Carolina must hope that they have the same success against Kentucky.

5.  Play mistake-free football.

Penalties, fumbles, and interceptions can destroy a teams chances to win.  With South Carolina lacking a "big play" offense, the team must keep the errors to a bare minimum. 

Stephen Garcia must continue to play smart.  Tori Gurley must stop dropping balls, and the defense must continue to strive for mental excellence, and not make stupid penalties.

This is a game that USC will be favored to win handily.  It will be closer then most experts will think, but South Carolina should prove its mettle and get one step closer to being an elite team.

Prediction:  USC 31 - Kentucky 21