Kentucky vs South Carolina: 5 Halftime Adjustments the Gamecocks Must Make

It's halftime in Columbia, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are on the verge of blowing out the Kentucky Wildcats. Both offenses have been inconsistent in the first half, but USC really began to turn up the heat in the second quarter and it's showing on the scoreboard. The game's not over yet, but Spurrier's boys have to be feeling very good at the break.

Here are five ways the Gamecocks can pull away in the second half.

5. Run the Offense Through Lattimore

Marcus Lattimore is an all-world talent, but he's being hopelessly underused today. With a lead to protect in the second half, it's time for the Gamecocks to feed the ball to Lattimore and let him do his thing. It'll run some clock and wear down the defense, which is the sensible way to hold on to the lead.

4. Go For the Big play

That said, you can't run the ball every play. And when Kentucky starts to react to Lattimore and stacks the box, USC needs to take advantage with the long ball. The Cats haven't been able to successfully cover Alshon Jeffery or Damiere Byrd on deep routes so far, and Shaw will be able to rack up some yardage on big plays in the second half.

3. Protect the Ball

Kentucky has been incapable of moving the ball at all in the first part of this game against the USC defense. That probably won't change dramatically. As long as the Gamecocks don't make any big mistakes and gift the Wildcats points, a comeback will be effectively impossible.

2. Bring Pressure

Morgan Newton has been erratic to begin with, and South Carolina has the personnel to keep him that way. The normally dominant D-Line has been quiet so far, but expect guys like Jadeveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram (if he's healthy enough) to make some noise in the second half as Kentucky gets more one-dimensional on offense.

1. Don't Get Complacent

Yes, USC has a big lead. And yes, the Gamecocks are at home. And no, Kentucky isn't very good. But this game is still in reach, and all it takes is a little momentum from a big play to completely shift the entire dynamic. Spurrier needs to keep his team hungry and hard-working and the result will take care of itself.