Kentucky at South Carolina - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Williams-Brice Stadium - Columbia, SC  (SEC)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Will Stein (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 26 (11 - 32 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.9 - 8.1 (#81)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 6) (Good: 4) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
SC is playing their 5th straight game
UK is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: South Carolina -7.5  (SP+ SC -4)
Projected Score: UK: 19 - SC: 27 (46)
SC Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
UK Travel: 341 miles
Gamecocks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Shane Beamer (33 - 30)
Avg Score : 23 - 22 (25 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 6 (#59)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)
 
Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Kentucky vs Youngstown State-27.5
Sat 9/12 Kentucky vs Alabama+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kentucky at Texas A&M+22.5
Sat 9/26 Kentucky vs South Alabama-19.5
Sat 10/3 Kentucky at South Carolina+7.5
Sat 10/10 Kentucky vs LSU+12.5
Sat 10/17 Kentucky at Oklahoma+21
Sat 10/24 Kentucky vs Vanderbilt+9.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Kentucky at Tennessee+17
Sat 11/14 Kentucky vs Florida+3
Sat 11/21 Kentucky at Missouri+17
Sat 11/28 Kentucky vs Louisville+6.5

Total: Elite: 6, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
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 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 South Carolina vs Kent State-28.5
Sat 9/12 South Carolina vs Towson-32.5
Sat 9/19 South Carolina vs Mississippi State-7
Sat 9/26 South Carolina at Alabama+12.5
Sat 10/3 South Carolina vs Kentucky-7.5
Sat 10/10 South Carolina at Florida+3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 South Carolina vs Tennessee+7
Sat 10/31 South Carolina at Oklahoma+16
Sat 11/7 South Carolina vs Texas A&M+12.5
Sat 11/14 South Carolina at Arkansas-1.5
Sat 11/21 South Carolina vs Georgia+15
Sat 11/28 South Carolina at Clemson+5

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
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 (2025)
 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#115 (.08)42% (81)2345% (53)3.05 (51)13940% (96)2023.84 (57)#85 (.18)44% (97)26.444% (84)45% (112)3.98 (99)411.81.2
SC#109 (.1)37% (118)22.739% (107)2.89 (77)11236% (120)2252.61 (134)#30 (.09)42% (67)22.139% (39)44% (106)3.15 (29)57.31.51.8
 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 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Offense122310.841.6%3.841.8203411392023.951%47%45%40%18%.08
SC Defense1222.120.641.6%3.151.8 - - - - - 51%47%39%44%16%.09
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Defense1226.431.843.7%3.981.2 - - - - - 52%46%44%45%15%.18
SC Offense1222.724.937.2%2.611.5183371122253.349%50%39%36%20%.1

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kentucky1230:3819.740%52%4.9411.81.25.82.1029.6
South Carolina1227:5817.732%50%7.357.31.51.85.31.8426.6
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1251% (52)45% (53)35.9139.33.919 (70).06 (98)3.05 (51)70% (84)11% (111)0.82 (124)
SC Defense1251% (86)39% (39) - - - - -.06 (8)2.7 (31)68% (42)10% (49)0.88 (24)
 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 Defense1252% (94)44% (84) - - - - .09 (63)2.89 (71)68% (44)10% (57)0.9 (41)
SC Offense1249% (73)39% (107)34111.63.314 (107).09 (81)2.89 (77)62% (124)14% (132)1.07 (30)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Offense1247% (85)40% (96)19.130.6201.96.610.615 (128)14 (60).19 (101)1.6 (59)31% (62)26% (113).02 (134)7% (95)1.7 (131)
SC Defense1247% (54)44% (106) - - - - - - 12 (22).25 (72)1.5 (40)31% (83)29% (68).14 (14)6% (69)1.9 (39)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Defense1246% (37)45% (112) - - - - - - 12 (38).31 (99)1.5 (64)30% (91)31% (85).31 (76)5% (110)2 (53)
SC Offense1250% (63)36% (120)17.428.5225.37.912.913 (121)11 (60).17 (109)1.7 (30)36% (131)24% (127).14 (125)6% (81)1.8 (119)

Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 6.14  #53
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 15.36  #49
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 14.22  #58
2026 Talent Rating: 836.00  #50
Blue Chip Ratio: 19%  #25
Kentucky's 2026 Expected Record: 3.9 - 8.1
Kentucky's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #66
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #80
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #48

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 996.13
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 6.14   South Carolina: 11.485

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 1.8   South Carolina: 5.9




South Carolina's Power Ratings
South Carolina's Power Rating: 11.485  #30
South Carolina's Offense Rating: 15.17  #55
South Carolina's Defense Rating: 8.10  #23
2026 Talent Rating: 968.00  #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 32  #18
South Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0
South Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.9  #49
South Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.6  #86
South Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.2  #31

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 996.13
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense on Road: 10.8
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 31.8

Kentucky's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
South Carolina 27
Kentucky 19

Projected Total Points: 46
South Carolina Scoring
Offense: 22.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.9
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

South Carolina's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/27South Carolina35Kentucky13South Carolina -5.5South Carolina46.5Over
202409/07Kentucky6South Carolina31Kentucky -9.5South Carolina41.5Under
202311/18South Carolina17Kentucky14South Carolina -2.5South Carolina52.5Under
202210/08Kentucky14South Carolina24Kentucky -4South Carolina45.0Under
202109/25South Carolina10Kentucky16Kentucky -4.5Kentucky49.0Under
202012/05Kentucky41South Carolina18Kentucky -12Kentucky46.0Over
201909/28South Carolina24Kentucky7South Carolina -3.5South Carolina54.0Under
201809/29Kentucky24South Carolina10South Carolina -1Kentucky52.0Under
201709/16South Carolina13Kentucky23South Carolina -6Kentucky48.5Under
201609/24Kentucky17South Carolina10Kentucky -1.5Kentucky57.5Under
201509/12South Carolina22Kentucky26South Carolina -7.5Kentucky56.0Under
201410/04Kentucky45South Carolina38South Carolina -7.5Kentucky0
201310/05South Carolina35Kentucky28South Carolina -21Kentucky0
201209/29Kentucky17South Carolina38
201110/08South Carolina54Kentucky3
201010/16Kentucky31South Carolina28
200910/10South Carolina28Kentucky26
200810/11Kentucky17South Carolina24
200710/04South Carolina38Kentucky23
200610/07Kentucky17South Carolina24
200510/08South Carolina44Kentucky16
200410/16Kentucky7South Carolina12
200310/09South Carolina27Kentucky21
200210/12Kentucky12South Carolina16
200110/06South Carolina42Kentucky6
200010/06Kentucky17South Carolina20
TeamWinsCoversO/U
South Carolina1852 Overs
Kentucky889 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams15 - 117 - 65 - 52 - 1
Road Teams11 - 156 - 71 - 25 - 5

(#53) UK at (#30) SC
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUKSC
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #53 #30
SP+SP+ #66 #49
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #50 #19
Blue ChipsBC% #25 #18
Kentucky Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Excited for Stein/Off. Big portal class
(3/3) 15 portals on offense will be tremendous boost
(2/2) New HC Stein fresh air, but OC/DC are ? hires
(2/2) QB Minchey is exciting. Could excel w/ Stein
(2/2) RBs have a lot of promise over prod. Could see it
(2/2) WR rebuild w 6 portals. Need some surprise hits
(2/2) OL mix of 2 really great adds with lots of projects
(2/2) DL parts to build, mix of 9 exp'd guys (5 adds)
(2/2) LBs need work. Lot of projecting success here
(2/2) DBs were awful LY. 6 portals, Bryant (S) good one
Kentucky Injury Report
South Carolina Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Low, Beamer era shaky, '25 was bummer
(3/3) OT Peak has sig knee inj, may be ready for fall
(3/3) OT Josiah Thompson out for season (surgery LB)
(2/6) OL allowed pressure on 52% of drop backs LY
(1/29) New OC Briles is an upgrade, but how much?
(1/29) QB Sellers back. Regressed LY & ran a lot less
(1/29) RB1 unclear. 3 portals, Clark (Tex) best option?
(1/29) WR big boost w/ Tuggle, Harbor back. Have depth
(1/29) OL added portal 7 starters + 2 return. Big upgrade
(1/29) Most OL snaps played in CFB w all the adds
South Carolina Injury Report
Kentucky on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffSC Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #81 #67
ExplosiveExp #128 #36
PPAPPA #115 #30
PowerPwr #49 #23
SP+SP+ #80 #31
Pts POPPO #57 #29
HavocHav #110 #61
Kentucky Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffSC Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #53 #39
Run ExplRExp #124 #24
PPAExp #98 #8
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #51 #31
Stuff RateStuff #51 #26
TackleTak - NR
Kentucky Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffSC Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #96 #106
Pass ExplPExl #59 #40
PPAExp #101 #72
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #111 #49
DB HavocDB #95 #69
South Carolina on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatSC OffUK Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #118 #97
ExplosiveExp #19 #57
PPAPPA #109 #85
PowerPwr #55 #58
SP+SP+ #86 #48
Pts POPPO #134 #99
HavocHav #130 #93
South Carolina Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
SC OffUK Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #107 #84
Run ExplRExp #30 #41
PPAExp #81 #63
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #77 #71
Stuff RateStuff #44 #53
TackleTak - NR
South Carolina Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatSC OffUK Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #120 #112
Pass ExplPExl #30 #64
PPAExp #109 #99
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #132 #57
DB HavocDB #81 #110
Program Comparison
SC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

UK 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Williams-Brice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
South Carolina beat Kentucky last year (35-13)
South Carolina beat Kentucky in 2024 (31-6)
South Carolina beat Kentucky in 2023 (17-14)

  
UK's OC Joe Sloan (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kenny Minchey (Tr)202677%196007.5
JacQai Long (Tr)61833%31001.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jason Patterson5722513.929
CJ Baxter Jr.5419603.618
Kenny Minchey (Tr)784112.034
Jovantae Barnes (Tr)194512.410
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Shane Carr (Tr)47655313.944
Willie Rodriguez23310113.553
Xavier Daisy (Tr)1817719.821
DJ Miller13175213.556

View Kentucky's Full Roster

UK's DC Jay Bateman (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Bryant762001
Jordan Castell (Tr)540020
Grant Godfrey342110
Mi'Quise Grace317462
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mi'Quise Grace317462
Lorenzo Cowan135300
Tavion Gadson284330
Jamarrion Harkless (Tr)132340
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terhyon Nichols181024
Grant Grayton160003
Mi'Quise Grace317462

SC's OC Kendal Briles (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Lanorris Sellers17829361%24371388.3
Lucian Anderson III (Tr)264163%245236.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Lanorris Sellers14927051.826
Matthew Fuller7226023.672
Christian Clark (Tr)5523624.322
Lucian Anderson III (Tr)3013814.675
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyck Harbor30618620.680
Nitro Tuggle (Tr)34505414.936
Jayden Sellers22337115.375
DJ Black (Tr)22273212.482

View South Carolina's Full Roster

SC's DC Clayton White (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Justin Okoronkwo634021
Fred Johnson624143
Peyton Williams502102
Shawn Murphy494011
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Herring (Tr)156462
Dylan Stewart3112462
Drew Collins (Tr)64320
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)165231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Vicari Swain281105
Fred Johnson624143
Peyton Williams502102