Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 27, 2025
Use Code WWWC A pair of SEC programs collide on the gridiron in the Palmetto State as the Kentucky Wildcats travel to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday night and we have you covered with our Kentucky vs. South Carolina prediction. Kentucky had a bye week last week. The Wildcats downed Eastern Michigan 48-23 at home September 13, though they failed to cover the line as a 26.5-point favorite in that contest. South Carolina was downed 29-20 on the road by #23 Missouri in their previous contest last Saturday, covering the line as a 10-point underdog. In the all-time series between the teams, the Gamecocks own a 24-16-1 advantage and have won the last three meetings, including a 31-6 road win in the most recent matchup on September 7, 2024. Read more about this Kentucky vs. South Carolina prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Wildcats Rested and Ready
Kentucky bounced back from a loss to Ole Miss as they took care of business against Eastern Michigan at home two weeks ago, ahead of the bye. The Wildcats enter this game 2-1 on the season and are 0-1 in SEC play on the year. Against Eastern Michigan, Kentucky took the lead just 49 seconds in the game and didn’t look back the rest of the way. The Wildcats were up 14-0 less than 10 minutes into the game and didn’t let the Eagles closer than 11 the rest of the way. Kentucky held a narrow 492-461 edge in total offense, picked up 25 first downs while allowing 21 and forced the game’s lone turnover to offset a 30:04 to 29:56 disadvantage in time of possession in the game.
The Wildcats finished last season 116th in the FBS in passing offense with an average of 170.7 yards per game. Kentucky was 28th in the nation in rushing offense with an average of 214.7 yards per game on the year. The Wildcats were 62nd in scoring offense as they averaged 31.7 points per contest and stood 71st in scoring defense as they limited the opposition to 23 points per game this season. Cutter Boley is 13 of 24 passing for 278 yards and two scores while adding 38 yards on the ground. Zach Calzada (25 of 52, 234 yards, INT, 23 rush yards, TD) has seen action under center as well. Seth McGowan leads the run game with 51 carries for 275 yards and six scores on the season. Dante Dowdell (36 carries, 214 yards, TD) and Jason Patterson (13 carries, 80 yards, TD) are effective in the run game. Josh Kattus (112 yards, TD) and Kendrick Law (69 yards) each have eight catches to share the team lead. Ja’Mori Maclin (four grabs, 103 yards), Hardley Gilmore IV (six receptions, 97 yards) and Willie Rodriguez (five catches, 68 yards, TD) are valuable options in the passing game. Jacob Kauwe is 11 of 11 on extra point attempts and six of six on field goal attempts with a long of 51 this season.
Dowdell (thigh) and Calzada (shoulder) are both questionable.
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South Carolina Seeking to Get Back in Win Column
South Carolina suffered their second straight loss as they were downed on the road by #23 Missouri last week. The Gamecocks dropped to 2-2 overall on the year and are 0-2 in SEC play on the year. Against Missouri, South Carolina led 14-12 at the half and held a 20-18 advantage after three quarters before running out of gas. The Gamecocks were outscored 11-0 in the final quarter to come up short. South Carolina was outgained 456-293 in total offense, gave up 29 first downs while picking up 15 and lost time of possession by a 35:17 to 24:43 margin. The Gamecocks did force the game’s only turnover, but went three of 11 on third down while taking 14 penalties totaling 98 yards in the loss.
The Gamecocks are tied for 76th in the nation in passing offense with 220.3 yards a contest and 130th in rushing by averaging 80.3 yards per game. South Carolina is 100th in the FBS in scoring offense as they put up 22.3 points a game this season. The Gamecocks are 54th in scoring defense as they allow 20.3 points per game. LaNorris Sellers is 47 of 73 passing for 733 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He is sixth on the team with 17 rushing yards and a score. Luke Doty (18 of 28, 148 yards, INT, 20 rush yards) is the backup quarterback. Rahsul Faison leads the team with 33 carries for 140 yards plus a score. Oscar Adaway III (25 carries, 93 yards, TD) and Jawarn Howell (seven carries, 30 yards) are next in line. Nyck Harbor is second on the team with 10 catches for 210 yards and a score on the year. Donovan Murph (five receptions, 94 yards), Vandrevius Jacobs (13 catches, 215 yards, two TD), Brian Rowe Jr. (seven catches, 67 yards, TD), Brady Hunt (five grabs, 49 yards) and Jordan Dingle (four receptions, 63 yards) are other valuable targets in the passing game. William Joyce has hit all 11 extra point attempts and four of five field goal attempts with a long of 49 on the year.
Tight end Michael Smith (undisclosed) is questionable after missing last week’s game.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina Pick
Spread Pick for Kentucky vs. South Carolina
- South Carolina -5.5 (4 units)
Kentucky has the rest advantage with the bye week last week, but with Dowdell and Calzada both banged up and question marks here, one has to be worriedabout their ability to move the ball. Neither quarterback for the Wildcats (Boley or Calzada) has looked overwhelmingly good under center. South Carolina hung tough on the road against Missouri before fading late. Their passing game was solid as Sellers returned after suffering a head injury against Vanderbilt. He threw for 302 yards plus two scores and we saw Kentucky’s defense surrender 330 yards through the air to Eastern Michigan. If South Carolina can generate any kind of push in the run game, they’ll win comfortably, but even without a ground attack, look for the Gamecocks to prevail at home.
Over/Under Pick for Kentucky vs. South Carolina
- Under 46.5 (4 units)
Kentucky comes into this game having seen the over post a 2-1 mark on the season. The Wildcats opened the season with an under in their season-opening win over Toledo as the teams combined for 40 points against a number of 48.5 points. They posted totals of 53 and 71 points in their games against Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan to go over the total in both games. South Carolina has stayed under the number in three of their four games this year. The Gamecocks opened with totals of 35, 48 and 38 points in their first three games and just squeaked over the number in the Missouri game with a combined 49 points against a number of 48.5 points set by the books. Nine of the last 10 meetings, including the last four, have fallen short of the number. Given the struggles both teams have had, this one finds itself short of the mark as well.
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