The Kentucky Wildcats, carrying a 2-1 record, head into Week 5 of the 2025 Regular Season without any road games under their belt yet. They will meet the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium for a highly anticipated night game. Currently, the Wildcats hold a conference record of 0-1 within the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina Gamecocks, sitting at 2-2 for the season, are looking to shake off two recent conference losses. They will play on their home turf under the Saturday night lights, aiming to improve their 1-1 home record. The Gamecocks face the challenge of overcoming a recent defeat to Missouri, where they struggled with their rushing game. Odds-makers have positioned the Gamecocks as the favorites with a moneyline of -243. Meanwhile, Kentucky comes in with a moneyline of +199, indicating potential value for bettors. The spread is set at 6.5 in favor of South Carolina, with the total points over/under listed at 46.5.
South Carolina vs Kentucky At a Glance
- Game Details: Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 7:45 PM.
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC.
- TV Coverage: Watch the game on SECN.
- Weather: Outdoor field at Williams-Brice Stadium; check local forecasts for game day conditions.
- Records: Kentucky Wildcats hold a 2-1 record, while South Carolina Gamecocks are at 2-2 this season.
- Odds: South Carolina is favored with a moneyline of -243, while Kentucky’s moneyline is +199.
South Carolina Gamecocks Gear Up for a Home Challenge
Offensive Overview
The South Carolina Gamecocks have accumulated 89 points this season, placing them 60th in the rankings. They have managed 893 passing yards, ranking 58th. However, their ground game has been less effective, with only 328 rushing yards, putting them at 122nd.
In their last game, South Carolina’s passing attack was strong, recording 302 yards. Despite their efforts through the air, their rushing attack was virtually nonexistent, with a shocking -9 yards against Missouri. This imbalance may require attention as they approach their next game.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, South Carolina has allowed 81 points, ranking them 54th in the nation. Their ability to pressure the quarterback is noteworthy, with 9 sacks, placing them in the top 10. They also have a knack for creating turnovers, with 2 interceptions, ranking 3rd overall.
South Carolina’s defensive line has been effective in recovering fumbles, with 1 recovery putting them 5th in that category. This defensive prowess will be essential in their upcoming game to offset any offensive deficiencies. Ensuring that they maintain pressure on the opposing quarterback could prove decisive.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been a focal point of the Gamecocks’ offense, accumulating 733 passing yards and 4 touchdowns over four games. His ability to protect the ball, with just one interception, has been critical to the team’s performance.
On the ground, Rahsul Faison leads the rushing effort with 140 yards and one touchdown. His contributions, although modest, are vital for South Carolina to establish a balanced offense. Additionally, wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs stands out with 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns in just three games.
Recent Game Performances
In their recent matchup against Missouri, South Carolina fell short with a 29-20 loss. They struggled to keep pace with Missouri’s 287 rushing yards, which highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities against the run. The Gamecocks’ offense relied heavily on the passing game, which ultimately was not enough.
Prior to that, South Carolina faced Vanderbilt at home and suffered a 31-7 defeat. Their inability to convert opportunities into points has been a recurring theme, as reflected by their recent performances. This upcoming game offers a chance to rectify these issues and get back on track.
Team Betting Trends
- As Favorite: 22-4 SU in last 26 games
- As Underdog: 4-0 ATS in last 4 games
- After Loss: 4-0 ATS in last 4 games
- After Loss: 4-0 O/U in last 4 games
- Home Games: 20-8 SU in last 28 games
Kentucky Wildcats: A Look Ahead to the Game Against the South Carolina Gamecocks
Offensive Performance
The Kentucky Wildcats have accumulated a total of 95 points this season, ranking them 56th in the nation. Their passing game has not been as strong, with only 512 passing yards, placing them at 125th. However, their rushing attack shows promise with 646 yards, landing them in the 55th spot.
The Wildcats have been effective in securing first downs, achieving 60 so far this season, which ranks them 46th. This balance in their offensive strategy has allowed them to put up significant numbers on the scoreboard in previous games. Despite their overall performance, they will need to improve their passing game to challenge stronger defenses.
Defensive Statistics
Kentucky’s defense has been relatively solid, allowing 69 points against them, ranking 44th. They have been particularly effective in applying pressure, recording 5 sacks, which ranks them 13th. Additionally, their ability to intercept the ball has been noteworthy, with 4 interceptions, placing them 5th.
However, the Wildcats have yet to recover any fumbles, which could be an area to improve upon. Their defensive prowess will be put to the test against teams with high-powered offenses. Maintaining their defensive integrity will be crucial in upcoming games.
Recent Game Highlights
In their recent outing, the Wildcats secured a 48-23 victory over Eastern Michigan, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Their rushing game was a standout, amassing 253 yards against the Eagles. The defense also held strong, limiting Eastern Michigan’s rushing attack to just 131 yards.
However, in a previous game against Ole Miss, Kentucky fell short with a 30-23 loss. The Wildcats’ rushing defense struggled, allowing 222 yards, which was a significant factor in the game’s outcome. Learning from these games will be essential as they prepare for tougher competition.
Player Performances
Quarterback Cutter Boley has shown flashes of potential with 278 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Seth McGowan has been a key player with 275 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, ranking him 54th in rushing yards.
On the receiving end, Ja’Mori Maclin leads with 103 receiving yards across 4 receptions. Tight end Josh Kattus has also been a vital contributor with 112 receiving yards and a touchdown, ranking 366th in receiving yards.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 30 Games (2020–2025) → 23-7 (76.7%)
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: Last 4 Games (2024–2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – As Underdog: Last 7 Games (2023–2025) → 6-1 (85.7%)
- ATS – After Win: Last 29 Games (2021–2025) → 20-9 (69.0%)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: Last 23 Games (2021–2025) → 16-7 (69.6%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 14 Games (2021–2024) → 10-4 (71.4%)
South Carolina vs Kentucky Prediction: Over 46.5
The total for this game is set at 46.5, and given the offensive capabilities of both teams, the over looks promising. South Carolina’s offense has put up 89 points in their four games, averaging over 22 points per game. Meanwhile, Kentucky has scored 95 points in three games, averaging over 31 points per game.
Despite both teams having relatively strong defenses, their scoring abilities and recent trends suggest that they can surpass the set total. South Carolina’s betting trends also indicate a tendency to go over following a loss, which they experienced against Missouri. Additionally, playing at home could provide an extra boost for the Gamecocks to contribute to the total score.
Historically, these two teams have often gone under in their head-to-head matchups, but the offensive stats this season tell a different story. With Kentucky’s strong road offense and South Carolina’s home advantage, expect both teams to find the end zone frequently. The Gamecocks’ ability to score at home and Wildcats’ offensive capabilities should result in a game that exceeds the total.
Considering these factors, a final score of South Carolina 28 – Kentucky 24 is projected. This score not only covers the spread for South Carolina but also comfortably clears the total of 46.5.
- South Carolina vs Kentucky Prediction: Over 46.5
- South Carolina vs Kentucky Score: South Carolina 28 – Kentucky 24
