Kentucky vs South Carolina: Last Minute Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Kentucky is no stranger to facing an uphill battle. Being in the SEC, they know all too well the dangers posed by the conference giants. They take on South Carolina this week in a game that has all the makings of a blowout.

South Carolina is 4-1 after narrowly losing to Auburn last week. Kentucky? Not so much. The Wildcats are 2-3 and have dropped three straight coming into this game.

It's clear who the favorite is in this one, but is all lost for Kentucky? Let's dive in for a closer look.

Where: Williams-Price Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 12:21 p.m. ET

Watch: SEC Network, ESPN3

Spread: Kentucky +21, South Carolina -21

Note: Spread According to Bodog

Go with South Carolina in this one. Twenty one points is a huge spread, but Kentucky is prone to getting roasted. They lost by 38 to Florida at home and 28 on the road last week to LSU.

South Carolina hasn't beaten a team by this spread all season long, but Steve Spurrier could easily try to turn up the heat to get Marcus Lattimore back at the forefront of the Heisman race.

Over/Under: 43

Take the under. Kentucky only averages 15 PPG, and even in a blowout victory, there is no guarantee South Carolina will be able to score enough to hit the over. Usually if you are taking the favorite with a spread as drastic as this one, taking the under almost seems contradictory. Not in this case.

Key Injuries: 

Note: Injuries According to USA Today

Kentucky:

Martavius Neloms, S (Concussion): Probable
E.J. Fields, WR (Undisclosed): Questionable
Mark Crawford, DT (Undisclosed): Questionable
Gene McCaskill, WR (Back): Questionable
Raymons Sanders, RB (Knee): Questionable
Collins Ukwu, DE, (Knee): Doubtful
Daryl Collins, WR, (Knee): Out for Season

South Carolina:

Melvin Griffin, DE (Foot): Questionable
Jacob Baker, RB (Knee): Questionable
Kenny Miles, RB (Wrist): Questionable
Akeem Auguste, CB, (Foot): Questionable
Kyle Nunn, T (Back): Doubtful
Andrew Clifford, QB (Concussion): Out

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications:

South Carolina can't afford to turn one loss into a string of losses. An embarrassing loss this week would crush their hopes of ever climbing back up the rankings. Even a narrow victory would force voters to have reservations about the Gamecocks.

Keys to Kentucky Win:

If this turns into the Marcus Lattimore show, it's all over for Kentucky. They have to make him a priority even though Stephen Garcia is going to torch them when they do. Allowing South Carolina's best player to beat them is obviously the worst case scenario for Kentucky.

Offensively, they need more out of junior Morgan Newton. Completing 50 percent of his passes and throwing as many picks as touchdowns is going to equate to a mediocre season. The Wildcats aren't scoring points, and he's got to step his game up to give them a shot at this one.

Keys to South Carolina Win:

Let Marcus Lattimore break Kentucky's spirit. He's had a couple duds for games in a row, and this could easily be the game where he turns it back around. The Gamecocks need to get their superstar back going once more.

Capitalize on Kentucky's mistakes. Newton is going to throw South Carolina the ball. They just need to be ready for it when he does. Kentucky can't score points, so as long as this game doesn't turn into a defensive struggle, South Carolina should be a lock.

Prediction:

South Carolina 31, Kentucky 10

Kentucky is outmatched. South Carolina suffered a setback last week, but losing isn't going to become a habit for the Gamecocks. They can use this as an opportunity to get Lattimore back on track and reassert themselves as an SEC powerhouse.