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South Carolina Football: Weekly Mailbag and Kentucky Preview

By Kyle Zartman

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: The mascot for the South Carolina Gamecocks runs onto the field against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs before their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: The mascot for the South Carolina Gamecocks runs onto the field against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs before their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Gamecocks have a tough challenge this week as South Carolina football faces off against Kentucky.

The South Carolina Gamecocks head to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday. In what is a somewhat role reversal, it is the Wildcats who are ranked, 17th in both the AP and Coaches poll. South Carolina football will need to be hitting on all cylinders if they hope to pull out a win this weekend.

The main goal on Saturday, stop Benny Snell Jr. The junior running back is averaging over six yards a carry and has rushed for over 500 yards so far this season. He is an absolute force as he is a combination of both speed and power. He has been fantastic in his previous two games against the Gamecocks, both of which were wins for the Wildcats.

Amazingly, for as down as Kentucky has been as a program overall, having not won more than seven games since 2007, South Carolina has not beaten them since 2013.  Lets hope that the Gamecocks can end the four-year drought, and in doing so, knock off a top 25 team.

Mailbag

This weeks mailbag question comes to us via Facebook from Doug Henry. Doug asks:

"Any chance we see Joyner in some Wildcat option plays? Need some wrinkles down in the Red zone.Any chance we see Joyner in some Wildcat option plays? Need some wrinkles down in the Red zone."

First, let me say thank you to Doug. We appreciate the engagement and the question. It is a great question, especially with the new NCAA red shirt rules. Dakereon Joyner could play in up to four games this year and still red shirt. This allows for players to get great playing experience and not lose a year of eligibility.

Having Joyner available for red zone situations or certain packages makes all the sense in the world. Not only would it throw a new wrinkle into the offense, it would allow for him to gain some great experience as well. What better time to do it then on the road against a top 25 team?

I am not sure if the coaching staff will do it this week, but because of the new rules, there is no reason to not allow Dakereon Joyner to play in a handful of games. It can only benefit him and South Carolina football going forward.

The lights will be bright Saturday night in Lexington. I hope the stars that shine are the ones wearing white and garnet of South Carolina football.

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