5 Predictions for Gamecocks-Kentucky
South Carolina travels to Kentucky for the third SEC road game of the 2016 season for the Gamecocks. What will happen when the Gamecocks and Wildcats lock horns? Here are five predictions.
1. Brandon McIlwain will throw for 200 yards and rush for 100 yards: The legend of McIlwain will continue to grow as the true freshman follows up his solid outing against ECU (16-28, 195 yards + 34 yds rushing) with the best numbers of his young career against the porous Kentucky defense. McIlwain’s passing numbers are trending upwards – 35 yards at Vanderbilt, 122 at Miss. State and 195 vs. ECU. He keeps the momentum going on Saturday.
2. Kentucky QB Stephen Johnson will quickly discover he’s not facing New Mexico State anymore: OK, the Gamecocks defense hasn’t set the work on fire in the first three games, but they held Vanderbilt to 10 points, Mississippi State to 3 points in the second half and the prolific ECU offense to 15 points. The Gamecocks are fourth in the SEC in scoring defense (17.3 ppg). ECU moved the ball well between the 20s, but the Gamecocks defense dominated in the red zone. Except for a brief stint in the second half against Florida, Johnson has yet to face a SEC defense for an entire 60-minute game.
3. Elliot Fry will move into the Top 20 on the SEC’s all-time scoring list: Fry is currently second on USC’s all-time scoring list with 308 points. Only Collin Mackie (330) has scored more points for the Gamecocks. Fry is also on the verge of cracking the Top 20 on SEC’s all-time scoring list. Former Georgia RB Herschel Walker and Former Tennessee kicker Fuad Reveiz are tied for 20th on the list with 314 points (Note: Mackie is not on the list since USC wasn’t in the SEC when he kicked for the Gamecocks). Fry needs 45 points to reach the Top 10.
4. Bryan Edwards will reach 100 receiving yards for the second time this season: Despite possessing a pair of cornerbacks that stand 6-foot-3 or taller, Kentucky’s pass defense has been horrendous as the Wildcats have given up far too many explosive plays. They are last in the SEC in passing defense (285.0 ypg). Edwards started his career with a bang, catching 8 passes for 101 yards at Vanderbilt. He disappeared at Miss. State, but bounced back with 5 receptions for 68 yards in the win over East Carolina. After three games, Edwards is currently the lone freshman in the SEC to rank among the league leaders in in receptions (5.0 per game) and receiving yards (69.0 per game). UK’s problems defending the pass are the just the opening Edwards need for a big night.
5. John Calipari will be announced as Kentucky’s new football coach immediately after the game: Calipari is Kentucky’s immensely popular men’s basketball coach and, arguably, the most important and best known figure in the Commonwealth outside the city of Louisville. Right now, the Wildcats have numerous problems in football. A loss Saturday night drops them to 1-3 overall with Alabama on deck. As a result, the guess here is the Kentucky administration cuts their losses by dumping Stoops - and paying him an eight-figure buyout – and hiring Calipari, who will then coach two sports for the Wildcats. Not enough hours in the day? Nonsense. This is all about selling tickets and filling up the ‘New CWS’), and hiring Calipari promises to accomplish just that.
