Kentucky @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2012 ) South Carolina 38, Kentucky 17

South Carolina has only one home game in October, so the No. 12 Gamecocks know they need to get a win over visiting Kentucky on Saturday to make their hopes for a Southeastern Conference Eastern Division crown easier. The Gamecocks struggled a bit against Central Florida last week, thanks in part to a shoulder injury to starting quarterback Connor Shaw, who may be back against the Wildcats. Kentucky faces its third straight nationally ranked foe after losses to Louisville and Florida.

South Carolina has been difficult to beat at home under Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks' 15-game home winning streak is two shy of the school record and the third-longest active streak in the country. South Carolina's defense has had its troubles this season, allowing an average of 25.3 points, two more than Kentucky. The Wildcats' problem has been their offense, which is producing 21.8 points.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN, ESPN3. LINE: South Carolina -21

ABOUT KENTUCKY (1-3, 0-1 SEC East): The Wildcats have been juggling quarterback duties between Maxwell Smith and Jalen Whitlow, with both showing varying degrees of effectiveness. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops would like to go with one signal caller, but is not in a rush to make that call. “We've got to make a decision,” Stoops said on a teleconference. “But I'm not going to panic and just name one just because we're all frustrated and not getting consistent play out of the quarterbacks.”

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1, 1-1 SEC East): Junior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is still trying to live up to the hype he had coming into the season. Clowney has 12 tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in the first four games of the season, but South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier isn't worried. “He's playing as hard as he can,” Spurrier told The State newspaper. “He's had two guys hanging out on him there. He's doing fine.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kentucky LB Avery Williamson ranks second in the SEC and 14th nationally with 10.5 tackles per game.

2. Gamecocks WR Shaq Roland will miss the Kentucky game and next week's contest against Arkansas because of a three-game suspension for a violation of university policy.

3. South Carolina leads the series 16-7-1, including victories in 12 of the last 13 meetings.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 35, Kentucky 14