Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 27, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Kentucky Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 SEC) were able to play well on Sept. 13 after being off last week with a 48-23 home win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Freshman quarterback Cutter Boley was not asked to do too much as he completed 12-of-21 passes for 240 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and a 16-yard rushing attempt.
The South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2) are looking to snap their two-game losing streak as they begin SEC action and are coming off Saturday’s 29-20 road loss to the Missouri Tigers. Sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers had a strong game as he completed 18-of-28 passes for 302 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Before kickoff: NCAAF predictions for Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks in one clean snapshot.
Wildcats Looking for Momentum
The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a 48-23 win at home against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 13. Kentucky was able to step up on the offensive side of things as they recorded 48 points on 492 total yards of offense (240 passing, 252 rushing). The team was able to run the football efficiently as the team averaged 5.5 yards per attempt on 46 carries throughout the game.
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The defense was able to have a respectable showing as the Wildcats held the Eagles to 23 points on 461 total yards (330 passing, 131 rushing). Kentucky was able to force an interception, the game’s only turnover. Eastern Michigan struggled to extend drives as they were held to 4-for-14 on third downs and 1-for-4 on fourth downs as well. If the defense can put up that type of effort, it is going to be difficult to win games against them.
Kentucky’s offense has been putting up points regularly as they are 65th in the NCAA with 31.7 points per game heading into this matchup. The defense has also been holding their own as they are tied for 70th with 23.0 opposing points per game.
QB Cutter Boley threw for 249 yards in his second start against the Eagles two weeks ago. With starter Zach Calzada still injured, it appears that Boley will get the start against the Gamecocks.
Injury Report for Kentucky
- Quarterback Zach Calzada: Shoulder (Questionable)
- Wide receiver DJ Miller: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Cole Lanter: Leg (OUT)
Gamecocks Searching for First SEC Win of 2025
The South Carolina Gamecocks are looking to get back on track after they lost on the road against the Missouri Tigers 29-20. The offense was able to score 20 points on just 293 total yards of offense (302 passing, -9 rushing). The team could not sustain drives as they recorded just 15 total first downs by going 3-for-11 on third downs and failing to convert their only fourth-down opportunity. South Carolina could not establish any sense of a running game as they averaged -0.4 yards per rushing attempt.
The defense looked better than expected as they were able to stay in the game and even held a lead going into the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks finished with 29 points for 456 yards (171 passing, 285 rushing). They nearly doubled up South Carolina with 29 total first downs and completely controlled possession, having the football for 35:17. South Carolina was able to force the game’s only turnover as Gerald Kilgore caught an interception.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have been struggling to put points on the board as they are tied for 104th in college football with 22.3 points per game scored. Their defense has been the strong suit of the program thus far as they are allowing 20.3 points per game, which is tied for 53rd in the nation. QB LaNorris Sellers (head) returned to face Missouri last week and completed 18 of 28 for 302 yards with two touchdowns in the loss.
Injury Report for South Carolina
- Wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Judge Collier: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Lex Cyrus: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Jordon Gidron: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Jayden Sellers: Concussion (Questionable)
- Tight end Michael Smith: Undisclosed (Questionable)
Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Pick
Spread Pick for Kentucky vs. South Carolina
- South Carolina Gamecocks -5.5 (4 units)
South Carolina is in a great position to win at home and get their first Southeastern Conference victory as LaNorris Sellers looks to have shaken off his injury, while Kentucky is in a different boat. Starting quarterback Zach Calzada missed the last game with a shoulder injury and appears to be trending towards being inactive once again. Cutler Boley did not look too strong under center last week, and that is going to be a concern when South Carolina can just sell out for the run. When these programs played last season in Kentucky, the Gamecocks were able to dominate 31-6 to extend their winning streak against the Wildcats to three games.
Over/Under Pick for Kentucky vs. South Carolina
- UNDER 46.5 (4 units)
Having a backup quarterback projected to start for Kentucky means their offense could be a bit of a letdown here, so most numbers outside of their last game, where Boley played, do not really give a clear picture. When looking at the third-down attempts this season for the Gamecocks, they are 14-of-47 (29.79%) so far. Neither team as a whole has been passing the football too well as the Wildcats have thrown for just two touchdowns in their first three games, while the Gamecocks have four passing touchdowns through four games. The under has hit in the last four meetings between these teams, so go with UNDER 46.5 POINTS in this game here.
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