Kentucky is 3-1 and now ranked in the AP top 25 at No. 24. That distinction is extremely difficult to keep, and this weekend’s test proves just how difficult it is to keep winning week over week. The Cats head to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on the 2-2 Gamecocks who are desperate to turn their season around. Head coach Shane Beamer is now in danger of getting fired and their schedule is brutal. They will come in desperate for a victory.

Key Absences:

Dylan Stewart (South Carolina defensive end): Stewart punched an Alabama player last weekend, and is serving what will be at least a 1 game suspension.

Keys to the Game:

Take Care of the Ball: It’s going to be wet all day Saturday in Columbia. Quarterback Kenny Minchey and the running backs will need to take extra care of the ball, and the wide receivers will need to take that extra millisecond to secure the ball before moving.

Contain the Run Game: The Gamecocks average 5.4 yards per rushing attempt, good for No. 16 in the country. They also rush it at the 26th highest rate in the nation (39 per game). This combination leads to 214.3 yards per game (17th nationally). Kentucky’s front 7 needs to disrupt and slow the rushing attack down, especially with the weather likely playing a factor.

Start fast: Last weekend, Kentucky let South Alabama hang around in the first half before blowing them out in the second half. South Carolina is going to stay around if given the opportunity. The Cats have to keep the crowd out of it and get out to a quick start on the road.

Hold the Gamecocks to field goals: South Carolina is a solid offense, and even if they can contain the rushing attack, South Carolina is going to get opportunities on their side of the field to score, UK needs to hold them out of the end zone, even when giving up points.

Prediction: Kentucky 21, South Carolina 17