South Carolina Football vs. Kentucky Keys to Success:
Gamecock Offensive Line against Wildcat Front-7
Slap a big "DUH" sticker on this one, but the South Carolina offensive line has to perform well for the offense to move the ball on Saturday.
Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker is probably going to be a 1st round pick, and fellow interior lineman Keeshawn Silver will play on Sundays, as well. Wildcat linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson, D'Eryck Jackson, and JJ Weaver have played a lot of football, too. The Gamecock offensive line will have their hands full, especially trying to block in the run game.
Running back Rocket Sanders had 88 yards on the ground against Old Dominion, and according to PFF, he had 88 yards after contact. That meant the blocking up front wasn't good enough. It will have to improve against Kentucky.
Three guards played as Kamaar Bell and Torricelli Simpkins started, and Trovon Baugh got in the rotation. Baugh was probably the best of the three. At tackle, Josiah Thompson and Cason Henry started, and Tree Babalade got a little playing time but struggled. Vershon Lee didn't have his best game at center, but he is a good player who should bounce back this week.
If Lee and the rest of the big uglies up front can keep LaNorris Sellers upright in the passing game and provide some creases for Sellers and Rocket Sanders to squeak through, the Gamecocks will have a chance to score enough to win.