Kentucky @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) South Carolina 28, Kentucky 31

THE STORY: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was quick to point out that his team's stumble last week against Auburn need not mark the end of its SEC title hopes. After all, the Gamecocks lost to Kentucky a year ago and still won the SEC East. No. 14 South Carolina cannot afford another misstep when the Wildcats visit Williams-Brice Stadium in search of their first conference win. Kentucky has lost its last five trips to Columbia, S.C., dating back to 1999. Sophomore QB Connor Shaw will start for the Gamecocks in place of senior Stephen Garcia, who has thrown nine interceptions and only four touchdown passes.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: South Carolina -21

ABOUT KENTUCKY (2-3, 0-2 SEC): The Wildcats have lost three straight, including back-to-back blowouts to Florida and LSU. South Carolina is Kentucky's third consecutive ranked opponent, marking the eighth time the Wildcats have faced three consecutive ranked teams and the third time since 2007. The Wildcats are averaging only 15 points per game. Kentucky does boast the No. 11 pass defense in the country, allowing 163.6 passing yards per game, but with Shaw starting at quarterback, the Wildcats will need to be more focused on RB Marcus Lattimore, who ranks fifth in the nation with 135.4 rushing yards per game.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (4-1, 2-1 SEC): The Gamecocks need some a spark on offense after scoring a season-low 13 points in last week's loss to Auburn. The loss dropped the Gamecocks into a tie atop the SEC East with Florida and Georgia. The good news for South Carolina, though, is it still controls its own fate in the division, thanks to wins over division foes Georgia and Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks could be without defensive lineman Melvin Ingram (sprained foot). Ingram has been the SEC defensive player of the week the past two weeks and has scored three touchdowns — two on fumble returns and one on a fake punt run.

EXTRA POINTS

1. South Carolina has won 10 of the past 11 meetings, with Kentucky's lone win coming last season in Lexington. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 14-7-1.

2. Spurrier is 17-1 against Kentucky, tied for his most wins against any opponent. He is 17-2 against Vanderbilt.

3. Kentucky's last win over a ranked team on the road was in 2002 at No. 17 Louisville. The Wildcats' last road win against a ranked SEC team was at No. 21 LSU in 1998.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 23, Kentucky 10 — Shaw might not be the answer to the Gamecocks' offensive woes, but the Wildcats don't have an answer for South Carolina's nasty defense.