Kentucky vs. South Carolina: Game time, TV info, odds, expert picks & HYPE video

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Kentucky Wildcats

• Game Time: 7:30 pm EST
• Date: Saturday, September 28
• Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South carolina
• TV Channel: SEC Network
• Announcers: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, and Cole Cubelic will be on the call for the SEC Network.
• Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro will have the UK radio network call on 630 AM, 98.1 FM in Lexington, and on the UK Sports Network.
• Online radio: TuneIn broadcast or UKAthletics.com.
• Online Stream: WatchESPN
• Odds: South Carolina is favored by 3 points as of Saturday morning.
• Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
• Rosters: UK | SC
• Tickets
• Weekend Weather Report
• Live Stats
• Uniform:

While we wait for the game, here UK’s hype video for tonight’s action:

And here is a look at the first win Kentucky scored under Mark Stoops vs. the Gamecocks:

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There are so many storylines leading into the Kentucky’s clash with South Carolina.

Probably the biggest at this point is that each team is desperate for a win. Both the Wildcats and Gamecocks are coming off of back-to-back losses, and both have their individual reasons that make this a huge game for both programs.

For South Carolina, their next two games after Kentucky are against Georgia and Florida, both probably losses. So a loss to Kentucky would put the Gamecocks in a situation where they are likely to be at 1-6 going to play Tennessee in Knoxville at the end of October. Many believe that dropping the game this Saturday could lead to the end of the Will Muschamp era in Columbia.

Much like the Wildcats, South Carolina is working with a backup quarterback in Ryan Hilinski. Hilinski was named the SEC Freshman of the Week in leading his offense to score 23 points against Alabama. However, he seemed to make a major step back against Missouri last week, completing only 43% of his passes in a back-breaking 34-14 loss.

Kentucky is also being led by a backup passes, Sawyer Smith. Like Hilinski, Smith looked very suspect after he got banged up last week against Mississippi State. He completed only 36% of his passes, and seemed to make several mental mistakes in addition to his physical struggles. Smith is expected to be ready to play and be at 90% this weekend. Kentucky hopes that is good enough to lead the team to a victory.

Playing behind Sawyer Smith right now is Walker Wood, a Lexington native in his redshirt sophomore season. If Smith goes down, Walker would be coming in as the fourth string signal caller (behind Terry Wilson, Smith, and injured Nik Scalzo). However, the coaching staff seems to have enough faith in the offensive line and other skill positions to believe the Wildcats can win with either Smith or Wood.

Another recent development for South Carolina is the departure of veteran defensive back Jamyest Williams. He was one of the top players on the Gamecocks defense, and has decided to redshirt this season to retain two years of eligibility before transferring. That is a huge blow to the defense, and to the program as a whole.

Kentucky has beaten South Carolina five times in a row, and both teams really need a win on Saturday. Despite two losses in a row, Mark Stoops is still confident in his team. More importantly, he still has job security. Will the hot seat cause Will Muschamp to elevate the play of his team, or will the pressure be enough to cause the Gamecocks to continue their downward spiral?

Betting Trends (via OddsShark)

Kentucky

Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kentucky’s last 7 games.

Kentucky is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.

Kentucky is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games against South Carolina.

Kentucky is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against South Carolina.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kentucky’s last 6 games on the road.

Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against South Carolina.

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kentucky’s last 10 games against an opponent in the SEC.

Kentucky is 12-3 SU in their last 15 games played in September.

Kentucky is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played in Week 5.

South Carolina

South Carolina is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 6 games.

South Carolina is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games against Kentucky.

South Carolina is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home.

South Carolina is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the SEC

The total has gone UNDER in 11 of South Carolina’s last 16 games played in September.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of South Carolina’s last 6 games played in Week 5.

South Carolina is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games played on a Saturday.

Expert Picks & Predictions

TeamRankings is going with a 27-25 win for the Gamecocks, while numberFire went with a 27-26 win for the Wildcats.

Bill Connelly’s S&P projection has South Carolina winning 30-26.

College Football News is going with South Carolina to win at home.

Sports Chat Place has Kentucky beating South Carolina for a sixth-straight year.

Stat Salt is predicting South Carolina to win and cover the spread.

Free Picks is projecting a 28-27 win for the Wildcats.

You can’t get any closer than OddsShark’s prediction, as their computers project a 25.5-25.4 win for the Wildcats. But hey, a win is a win.