Top 25 program; and both struggled against teams they should have defeated convincingly.

The Gamecocks battled Georgia to the wire, while the Cats put a scare into Louisville. The Gamecocks were plucked by both Alabama and Auburn, while the Cats were declawed by the Gators. The Gamecocks struggled against both Troy and Central Florida, while the Cats struggled with Idaho State and lost to Indiana.

Statistically, the Gamecocks have an edge in most categories and have played one more game than the Cats. Plus, the Gamecocks have the edge in talent and are the more healthy team.

After four games of looking horrible against the run, the Gamecock run defense played well against Auburn’s ground attack. That should be a plus against Kentucky’s ground game, which is only 10th in the SEC stats. The Gamecock ground game, which has been pathetic, may have some success against a Kentucky run defense that is last in the SEC stats.

Back in 1998, USC and Vanderbilt battled in one of the ugliest football games ever played with the Commodores winning in Nashville 17-14. Based on the way these two teams have played for the most part this season, this game could be just as ugly, if not uglier, than the aforementioned game.

I’ll go with ugly, uglier, ugliest for the play in this game and the Gamecocks winning, 21-17, because they have the home field advantage.