Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks Prediction, 10/3/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC

TV: SEC Network

Odds/Point Spread: Gamecocks (-2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 53

Williams-Brice Stadium is where the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2) will play the Kentucky Wildcats (3-1) on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Kentucky opens as 2.5-point underdogs. The over/under has been set at 53.

The Kentucky Wildcats step onto the field holding a record of 3-1 for this season. In their last matchup, the Wildcats took the field against the South Alabama Jaguars and took home the win by a score of 45-21. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 68 plays which gave them a total of 567 yds. The Kentucky Wildcats ended up rushing 42 times and totaled 390 yds, earning them an average of 9.3 yards per tote. When it came to stopping the run, the Wildcats conceded 88 yds on 31 tries, which averages out to 2.8 yards per run allowed. Kentucky relinquished 23 completions on 43 tries for a total of 266 yds, and a completion rate of 53.5%.

Concerning scoring, the Kentucky Wildcats are sitting at 34.5 PPG. As a unit they average 203.5 yards on the ground giving them a rank of 31st in college football. The Wildcats have earned 1,690 yards in total for the year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Kentucky has compiled 8 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns on the ground. Kentucky has compiled 82 first downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 23 penalties for 221 yds. They have surrendered the ball 5 different times.

Regarding yards through the air, the Wildcats have conceded 936 yards which puts them in 103rd in Division 1. They have surrendered 234.0 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 58.2%. Overall, they have allowed 356.3 yards/game which has them ranked 77th in the nation. They have yielded 5 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 7 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing 3.6 yards per rushing attempt and 122.3 rushing yards per game this year. In total, they have allowed 489 rushing yards through 4 outings. The Wildcats are ranked 88th in the country in terms of team defense, allowing 25.0 points per game.

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The Gamecocks come into this matchup with a record of 2-2 for this season. In their last game, the Gamecocks took a loss by a final score of 49-18 when they faced the Alabama Crimson Tide. South Carolina gave up 30 running attempts for 124 yards (4.1 yds per carry). The Gamecocks passing defense conceded a completion rate of 77.8%, relinquishing 365 yards on 21 out of 27 through the air. The Gamecocks finished the contest with 419 yards and they ran 73 plays (5.7 yds per play). South Carolina rushed the football for 5.4 yards per tote, totaling 216 yds on 40 carries.

The South Carolina Gamecocks maintain an average of 499.3 yards per outing, which ranks them 14th in the nation. The South Carolina offense has compiled 238 yards of penalties on 25 infractions, which has them ranked 76th in the nation in terms of helping out the other team. They maintain an average of 262.0 run yards per game and have run for 1,048 yards overall. They have tossed 4 picks while allowing opponents to recover 2 fumbles and they have recorded 100 first downs. When it comes to the points being put on the board, the Gamecocks sit 30th in D-1 averaging 38.5 points per game. During the season thus far, the Gamecocks have compiled 949 passing yards as well as an average of 237.3 throwing yards per contest, ranking them 65th in the nation.

South Carolina has yielded a total of 380 yards on the ground (95.0 yards per game) in addition to 2 touchdowns by way of the ground game on the year. They have conceded 10 touchdowns from the passing game and 221.0 yards/game, which puts them in 87th in the country. In total, they have allowed 99 pts. They have no fumbles recovered and 2 picks on the year. The Gamecocks defense has participated in 229 plays, which has them ranked 23rd in Division 1. The Gamecocks are surrendering 24.8 points per contest, which has them ranked 85th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Gamecocks college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats +2.5

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