Kentucky at South Carolina - 2025 Matchup Preview
Kentucky logo Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina GamecocksSouth Carolina logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Williams-Brice Stadium - Columbia, SC  (SEC)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Stoops (77 - 73)
Avg Score : 21 - 22 (18 - 31 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.5 - 7.5 (#108)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 6) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
UK coming off BYE
SC is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: South Carolina -13.5   (SP+ SC -11)
Projected Score: UK: 17 - SC: 31 (45)
SC Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
UK Travel: 341 miles
Gamecocks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Shane Beamer (29 - 21)
Avg Score : 31 - 18 (35 - 22 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.8 - 5.2 (#61)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 6) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 2)
 
Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kentucky vs Toledo-10.548.5
Sat 9/6 Kentucky vs Ole Miss+10.5
Sat 9/13 Kentucky vs Eastern Michigan-22
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Kentucky at South Carolina+13.5
Sat 10/4 Kentucky at Georgia+25
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Kentucky vs Texas+21
Sat 10/25 Kentucky vs Tennessee+10
Sat 11/1 Kentucky at Auburn+14.5
Sat 11/8 Kentucky vs Florida+12
Sat 11/15 Kentucky vs Tennessee Tech-28.5
Sat 11/22 Kentucky at Vanderbilt+3
Sat 11/29 Kentucky at Louisville+9.5

Total: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kentucky's Schedule
South Carolina's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 8/31 South Carolina vs Virginia Tech-9.545.5
Sat 9/6 South Carolina vs South Carolina State-39.5
Sat 9/13 South Carolina vs Vanderbilt-13
Sat 9/20 South Carolina at Missouri-0.5
Sat 9/27 South Carolina vs Kentucky-13.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 South Carolina at LSU+12.5
Sat 10/18 South Carolina vs Oklahoma+0.5
Sat 10/25 South Carolina vs Alabama+11.5
Sat 11/1 South Carolina at Ole Miss+4.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 South Carolina at Texas A&M+8.5
Sat 11/22 South Carolina vs Coastal Carolina-30
Sat 11/29 South Carolina vs Clemson+7

Total: Elite: 6, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for South Carolina's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UK#118 (.09)41% (89)20.647% (31)3.02 (71)14635% (123)1853.49 (104)#62 (.16)46% (111)22.149% (122)42% (75)3.44 (31)52.11.91.3
SC#48 (.22)44% (58)30.544% (74)3.01 (73)17544% (42)2033.97 (62)#15 (.08)42% (73)18.145% (93)40% (61)3.19 (16)53.81.51.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UK0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
SC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Offense1220.61841.5%3.491.919331146185454%46%47%35%19%.09
SC Defense1318.121.642.1%3.191.7 - - - - - 49%50%45%40%19%.08
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Defense1222.13146%3.441.3 - - - - - 58%42%49%42%17%.16
SC Offense1330.534.743.7%3.971.5203781752034.458%41%44%44%17%.22

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kentucky1229:3219.434%44%6.352.11.91.35.61.8227
South Carolina1328:442042%50%6.253.81.51.76.53.1230.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UK Offense1254% (37)47% (31)36.7146.4411 (116).05 (107)3.02 (71)73% (71)13% (120)0.73 (133)
SC Defense1349% (52)45% (93) - - - - .03 (23)2.87 (46)69% (43)13% (10)0.73 (4)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UK Defense1258% (129)49% (122) - - - - .14 (75)3 (67)78% (101)12% (32)0.88 (24)
SC Offense1358% (15)44% (74)39.5175.24.425 (41).13 (70)3.01 (73)79% (29)13% (121)0.95 (79)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Offense1246% (97)35% (123)13.926184.87.113.315 (98)17 (127).13 (117)1.9 (10)33% (92)28% (104).18 (114)7% (103)2.1 (46)
SC Defense1350% (74)40% (61) - - - - - - 13 (31).15 (31)1.5 (35)30% (104)29% (49).26 (45)6% (76)2.1 (76)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Defense1242% (7)42% (75) - - - - - - 10 (66).19 (46)1.5 (27)29% (109)31% (83).3 (68)5% (95)2 (61)
SC Offense1341% (118)44% (42)15.523.6202.88.613.120 (58)7 (26).37 (23)1.8 (14)30% (45)32% (61).35 (63)4% (17)2.1 (47)

Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 5.28 #51
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 15.78 #55
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 10.50 #40
2025 Talent Rating: 876.00 #23
Blue Chip Ratio: 26% #22
Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 4.5 - 7.5
Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.7 #43
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.8 #79
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0 #31

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 945
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31

Power Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 5.28   South Carolina: 18.55

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 4.7   South Carolina: 16.1




South Carolina's Power Ratings
South Carolina's Power Rating: 18.55 #19
South Carolina's Offense Rating: 22.32 #22
South Carolina's Defense Rating: 6.32 #22
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00 #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 33 #20
South Carolina's 2025 Expected Record: 6.8 - 5.2
South Carolina's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 16.1 #17
South Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3 #24
South Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.2 #15

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 945
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31


Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 20.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 18
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 31

Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
South Carolina 31
Kentucky 17

Projected Total Points: 45
South Carolina Scoring
Offense: 30.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 34.7
Defense: 18.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 21.6

South Carolina's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202409/07Kentucky6South Carolina31South CarolinaKentucky -9.5South Carolina41.5Under
202311/18South Carolina17Kentucky14South CarolinaSouth Carolina -2.5South Carolina52.5Under
202210/08Kentucky14South Carolina24South CarolinaKentucky -4South Carolina45.0Under
202109/25South Carolina10Kentucky16KentuckyKentucky -4.5Kentucky49.0Under
202012/05Kentucky41South Carolina18KentuckyKentucky -12Kentucky46.0Over
201909/28South Carolina24Kentucky7South CarolinaSouth Carolina -3.5South Carolina54.0Under
201809/29Kentucky24South Carolina10KentuckySouth Carolina -1Kentucky52.0Under
201709/16South Carolina13Kentucky23KentuckySouth Carolina -6Kentucky48.5Under
201609/24Kentucky17South Carolina10KentuckyKentucky -1.5Kentucky57.5Under
201509/12South Carolina22Kentucky26KentuckySouth Carolina -7.5Kentucky56.0Under
201410/04Kentucky45South Carolina38KentuckySouth Carolina -7.5Kentucky0
201310/05South Carolina35Kentucky28South CarolinaSouth Carolina -21Kentucky0
201209/29Kentucky17South Carolina38South Carolina
201110/08South Carolina54Kentucky3South Carolina
201010/16Kentucky31South Carolina28Kentucky
200910/10South Carolina28Kentucky26South Carolina
200810/11Kentucky17South Carolina24South Carolina
200710/04South Carolina38Kentucky23South Carolina
200610/07Kentucky17South Carolina24South Carolina
200510/08South Carolina44Kentucky16South Carolina
200410/16Kentucky7South Carolina12South Carolina
200310/09South Carolina27Kentucky21South Carolina
200210/12Kentucky12South Carolina16South Carolina
200110/06South Carolina42Kentucky6South Carolina
200010/06Kentucky17South Carolina20South Carolina
TeamWinsCoversO/U
South Carolina1741 Overs
Kentucky889 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams14 - 116 - 64 - 52 - 1
Road Teams11 - 146 - 61 - 25 - 4

(#51) Kentucky Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 5.28 #51
Offense Rating: 15.78 #55
Defense Rating: 10.50 #40
Overall SP+ Rating: 4.7 #43
Offense SP+ Rating: 25.8 #79
Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0 #31
Talent Rating: 876.00 #23
Blue Chip Ratio: 26% #22
Expected Record: 4.5 - 7.5

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 41%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.49 PPO
Good Run Success 47%
Awful Pass Success 35%
Bad OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Good in Scoring Position 3.44 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 49%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Kentucky Notes
(6/9) Stoops had a great run, but this looks over
(6/8) 6 Def starters from 9 portals, all DL starters
(6/8) 14 proj starters from portal, 8 Off & 6 Def
(6/8) RBs Wilcox good, Dowdell(Neb) + McGowen(NMSU)
(6/8) OL 1/5 back, 7 portal adds. 5 clear starters
(5/11) OL has a lot of exp but 66% comes from portals
(5/5) UK 2-10 run in SEC home games & 0-7 streak
(4/4) OG Joshua Braun a top G via PFF
(3/24) Portal DL Gusta (WSU)/Grace (S Dak) big
(3/22) Added 13 players that started LY via portal
Kentucky     Ratings Matchup     South Carolina
Power #51
#19
Off #55
#22
Def #40
#22
Talent #23
#26
SP+ #43
#17
SP+ Off #79
#24
SP+ Def #31
#15

Previous Matchups
South Carolina beat Kentucky last year (31-6)
South Carolina beat Kentucky in 2023 (17-14)
South Carolina beat Kentucky in 2022 (24-14)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Williams-Brice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: UK | SC
Depth Chart: UK | SC
Rosters: UK | SC
(#19) South Carolina Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 18.55 #19
Offense Rating: 22.32 #22
Defense Rating: 6.32 #22
Overall SP+ Rating: 16.1 #17
Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3 #24
Defense SP+ Rating: 17.2 #15
Talent Rating: 864.00 #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 33 #20
Expected Record: 6.8 - 5.2

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 41%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 44%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 3.97 PPO
Bad Run Success 44%
Good Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 42%
Great in Scoring Position 3.19 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 45%
Avg Pass Def Success 40%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


South Carolina Notes
(5/7) RB Faison (USU) needs NCAA waiver to play TY
(5/3) ST's lost K, P, holder and LS. Could be notable
(5/1) Fr WR Malik Clark has flashed early, will play
(4/19) WR Harbor huge talent. Lots of talent, incl Fr
(4/4) DE Dylan Stewart a top 10 DE via PFF
(3/19) QB Sellers exciting, lotta hype/promise.
(3/19) RB rebuild, Faison (USU) big sign. Depth?
(3/19) OL returns 2/5, both T's. 3 portals in middle
(3/19) Def good LY, F7 rebuild but DE Stewart a star
(3/19) Shula now OC w/ Loggains now HC @ App


  
Kentucky's OC Bush Hamdan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Zach Calzada (Tr)31247166%34323297.3
Cutter Boley265349%338246.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Seth McGowan (Tr)15381335.338
Dante Dowdell (Tr)143614124.338
Jamarion Wilcox9259026.450
Zach Calzada (Tr)8323052.833
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javian Hester14315122.590
Jay Maclin13313424.183
Seth McGowan (Tr)23277312.043
Troy Stellato (Tr)26266110.234

View Kentucky's Full Roster
Kentucky's DC Brad White
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Landyn Watson (Tr)664030
Jordan Lovett631001
Alex Afari Jr.6211211
Mi'Quise Grace (Tr)5810970
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mi'Quise Grace (Tr)5810970
Kameron Olds (Tr)427621
Alex Afari Jr.6211211
David Gusta (Tr)203163
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terhyon Nichols100005
J.Q. Hardaway470003
David Gusta (Tr)203163

South Carolina's OC Mike Shula
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Lanorris Sellers19730066%25271878.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Rahsul Faison (Tr)198110985.637
Lanorris Sellers16568174.175
Isaiah Augustave (Tr)8538444.537
Jawarn Howell1912326.527
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyck Harbor26376314.543
Mazeo Bennett30337311.236
Jared Brown15244116.351
Vandrevious Jacobs12181015.141

View South Carolina's Full Roster
South Carolina's DC Clayton White
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jalon Kilgore483035
Myles Norwood (Tr)382005
DQ Smith370003
Brandon Cisse (Tr)282005
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Stewart2311731
Bryan Thomas Jr.237520
Demon Clowney (Tr)235210
Jatius Geer81100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Judge Collier283008
Jalon Kilgore483035
Brandon Cisse (Tr)282005