Preview: South Carolina at Kentucky - October 11, 2008

By Nevada Sharpshooter

The South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Kentucky to square off against the Wildcats.  South Carolina will rely on QB Chris Smelley, who had 327 yards passing and 3 TDs at a good Mississippi team last week.  The win was the first in conference for the Gamecocks and brings there SEC record to 1-2.  The Gamecock defense is also playing well and was ranked #1 in the country going into last weeks game vs Miss.

The Wildcats will be looking for a couple of firsts in this match up vs South Carolina.  They will be looking for their first SEC win and also their first win in 17 attempts vs a Steve Spurrier coached team.  The Cats came up just short last week in a 14-17 loss to #2 Alabama and will try to learn from their mistakes.  QB Mike Hartline will have to play error free for the Wildcat’s to come away with a win here.

I like South Carolina here, the Gamecock defense has basically had one bad half all season.  It also seems like S. C. QB Smelley is gaining coach Spurrier’s confidence.  Kentucky on the other hand is not as good as its 4-1 record.  The only big time school they have beaten is Louisville in the first game of the season, and Louisville is a shadow of its former self.  As far as the close loss to Alabama goes, they fell behind 14-0 right away and gave up over 200 yards rushing to the Tide.  Take South Carolina in a Pick’em over Kentucky.