South Carolina-Kentucky: 5 Keys To a Gamecocks Victory

After South Carolina's HUGE win against Alabama last weekend, this game has "trap" written all over it.

The Kentucky Wildcats are getting better each week and gave an Auburn team that beat Carolina a scare.

Carolina must come into this game with the right mindset to continue the winning.

Position	South Carolina Advantage	Even	Kentucky Advantage
Quarterback	X
Running Backs/Fullbacks		X
Wide Receivers	X
Offensive Line		X
Defensive Line	X
Linebackers	X
Defensive Backs	X
Special Teams		X
Coaching	X

The only one I struggled with here is the quarterback position. I almost put it at even, as Mike Hartline has had a fine season. However, Stephen Garcia has more physical tools and is finally becoming the quarterback people thought he could be.

Here are the keys to a Carolina victory.

1. Give Marcus Lattimore and Brian Maddox the ball...often

Kentucky has the worst rushing defense in the SEC and one of the worst in the country. This bodes well for a Gamecock team that runs very well. Marcus Lattimore, of course, is a stud, but Brian Maddox has emerged as a threat as the backup.

Maddox is a stout runner—a bruiser who is capable of continuing the bruising that Lattimore gives. Dual bruisers.

2. Use play action to feed the beast...Alshon Jeffery.

As the team grinds down the terrible run defense of Kentucky, take deep shots to Alshon—on first down, second down and third down. Kentucky is an offensive-minded team, and South Carolina will need points to win. If South Carolina utilizes the run to set up the pass, look for an unstoppable offense.

3. Contain Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke (if he plays).

The Wildcat offense will be used a great deal in this game, according to head coach Joker Phillips. South Carolina has struggled against this offense in the past, and that doesn't bode well for this game. It will take a disciplined effort from the linebackers...

Or Kentucky can win this game.

4. Continue to play more man-to-man coverage.

Randall Cobb and Mike Hartline have played very well together. However, South Carolina has the players capable of shutting down an opposing passing game.

For whatever reason, it hasn't happened yet. They have an NFL prospect in Chris Culliver and one of the best young cover guys in college football in Stephon Gilmore...but it hasn't come together.

It better in this game.

5. Don't dwell on the past...Kentucky can play, and the Alabama game is over.

Carolina has the potential to have a truly magical season. However, Steve Spurrier said that this Kentucky game is season-defining. I tend to agree with him.

The last coach to say that was Nick Saban about the Carolina game for his Tide...and we all know how that turned out.

If Carolina comes unprepared, cocky or just plain unemotional...the Cats have the guns to win.

I predict a barn burner. Carolina's offense has been good this year, and the defense is much better than Kentucky's.

South Carolina wins, 42-28.

Maybe.