South Carolina football vs. Kentucky Wildcats: Score prediction, scouting report

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football aims to remain above .500 in its return to SEC competition this week off of back-to-back victories.

The Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) travel to Kroger Field to face Kentucky (4-1, 1-1 SEC) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., SEC Network), looking for their first win over the Wildcats since 2019. South Carolina leads the all-time series 18-14-1, but Kentucky has won four of the last five meetings, including a 16-10 victory in Columbia last year.

Here's everything you need to know about the matchup:

Rattler vs. Levis — or not

What could have been one of the most interesting quarterback battles of the season is now a huge question mark amid reports that Kentucky's Will Levis is questionable for Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury. If Levis isn't 100%, the Gamecocks' odds to win will skyrocket.

Levis, a second-year starter for the Wildcats, is 97-for-141 passing for 1,405 yards through the first five games. In Kentucky's 2021 win over the Gamecocks, Levis had a mediocre performance with 102 passing yards and an interception, but South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White both said Levis has improved significantly this year.

The Kentucky quarterback is outpacing Gamecocks QB Spencer Rattler in nearly every statistical category. He has the No. 2 quarterback rating in the SEC while Rattler is last, 12 passing touchdowns to Rattler's four, and a 69% completion percentage to Rattler's 64%. Levis's biggest issue is his protection — he has taken 19 sacks, while South Carolina has given up 10.

Chris Rodriguez's return

Kentucky's star running back had a slightly underwhelming debut with 72 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, but coach Mark Stoops said Rodriguez is still getting back up to speed after missing the first four games. Rodriguez is believed to have been serving a suspension related to an NCAA inquiry into player eligibility that was reported by Sports Illustrated, but Kentucky has not confirmed the reason for his absence.

Rodriguez averaged more than 100 yards per game in 2021, and South Carolina is allowing 185 rushing yards per game. Against SEC opponents, the Gamecocks have given up an average 251 rushing yards. Especially if Levis is dealing with an injury, controlling Rodriguez will be the No. 1 concern for the South Carolina defense.

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Gamecocks on the road

Since Beamer took over the program in 2021, South Carolina is 1-4 in regular season games on the road, including a loss at Arkansas this season. If the team hopes to gain bowl eligibility, they'll need to break the streak at some point, and South Carolina is 9-8 all-time at Kentucky's Kroger Field.

Beamer said the Arkansas game was encouraging for South Carolina's ability to handle pressure on the road. After trailing 21-9 at halftime, the Gamecocks rebounded to get within five points of the Razorbacks despite ultimately losing 44-30. The key against the Wildcats will be a stronger start, though South Carolina has struggled in the first half all season and scored its first first-quarter touchdown of the year against South Carolina State.

Winning the turnover battle

Turnovers have been an issue for the South Carolina offense since Week 1, and it gave up two interceptions and a fumble to S.C. State last week. Between Rattler and backup QB Luke Doty this season, the Gamecocks are up to four lost fumbles and nine interceptions.

However, Kentucky has had similar struggles, with four lost fumbles and four interceptions. The Wildcats lost to Ole Miss 19-22 last week after fumbling on their last two drives. A turnover-prone offense bodes well for the Gamecocks' defense, which leads the SEC in interceptions with seven, though it has yet to force a fumble.

Prediction

South Carolina 24, Kentucky 21: Will Levis's injury status could change everything. The Gamecocks' defense shines against the Wildcats, while the offense continues to find its rhythm in the run game. Mitch Jeter hits a walk-off field goal for the win.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football vs. Kentucky: Scouting report, score prediction