FACTS & STATS: Site: Commonwealth Stadium (67,530) -- Lexington, Kentucky. Television: Local. Home Record: S. Carolina 3-1, Kentucky 3-0. Away Record: S. Carolina 1-1, Kentucky 1-1. Neutral Record: S. Carolina 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Conference Record: S. Carolina 1-2, Kentucky 0-1. Series Record: South Carolina leads, 12-6-1.

GAME NOTES: SEC foes collide in Lexington this weekend, as the Kentucky Wildcats play host to the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina is 4-2 overall this season, but the team is just 1-2 in conference. The only league victory came last weekend by a 31-24 final over Ole Miss, marking the third consecutive victory for the Gamecocks. Their only two losses came against highly-ranked SEC foes Vanderbilt and Georgia, both by seven points. As for Kentucky, it opened the season with four consecutive double-digit victories over non-conference opponents, including three blowouts. The Wildcats faced second-ranked Alabama last weekend to open the SEC campaign, and despite a tremendous effort in Tuscaloosa, the result of that game was a heart-breaking 17-14 defeat. Kentucky needs only two wins to become bowl eligible once again under Rich Brooks, who has revived the program over the last few years. South Carolina owns a 12-6-1 series lead over Kentucky. The Gamecocks have won the last eight times they have met the Wildcats, and USC head coach Steve Spurrier puts a personal 15-game win streak over Kentucky on the line this weekend.

Spurrier is quick to change his quarterback if things aren't going well or even on a hunch. Two weeks ago, freshman Stephen Garcia led the Gamecocks to victory and played quite well. Despite that fact, Chris Smelley was named the surprise starter against Ole Miss last weekend, and he responded with a terrific effort. Smelley completed 22-of-32 passes for 327 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Jason Barnes came through with seven catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Davis ran for 73 yards. The Gamecocks racked up 405 total yards in what was an impressive offensive showing. South Carolina is averaging 23.0 ppg and 352.8 total ypg this season, and the offense can best be described as mediocre. Of the 14 touchdowns that the offense has managed, 10 have been passing scores. Smelley has thrown nine of those touchdowns to go along with 1,171 passing yards, but he does have seven interceptions. Kenny McKinley has been out of action or slowed with injury for much of the season, but he can be a game-changer if he can line up at receiver this weekend.

Defensively, South Carolina permitted 361 yards to Ole Miss last weekend and did not play its best game. The Rebels were able to score three offensive touchdowns, including a pair on the ground. Still, the Gamecocks were able to come up with three takeaways and a pair of sacks that proved key to the victory. Through the first six games of this campaign, South Carolina is surrendering 14.7 ppg and 244.7 total ypg. The Gamecocks are holding foes to 116.7 rushing ypg on an average of 3.3 ypc. As for the pass defense, it has come up with seven interceptions while permitting a mere two touchdown passes in 24 quarters of football. Emanuel Cook has been all over the field for South Carolina and leads the club with 51 total tackles, 23 more than his closest teammate.

Kentucky was shut out in the first half by Alabama last weekend, but the offense did manage a pair of scores in the second half. In the third quarter, Mike Hartline tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons. Then, in the closing seconds of the clash, Hartline connected with DeMoreo Ford for a 48- yard touchdown. The Wildcats were unable to run the ball successfully against one of the nation's premier defenses, as they finished with just 35 yards on 20 attempts. Hartline completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes, but there was clearly no quit in the offense. Kentucky is averaging 28.0 ppg and 336.8 total ypg this season. Hartline has completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 874 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. Dicky Lyons leads the club with 31 catches, more than twice the total of his closest teammate. Keep an eye on Derrick Locke, the club's top tailback, as he is a receiving threat as well.

There is no question that the Kentucky defense played well enough to win the game against Alabama. The Wildcats only allowed one touchdown to the Crimson Tide, and that score came early in the first quarter. After that two-play, 76- yard drive, Kentucky tightened tremendously. Sure, Alabama finished with a tremendously high total of 282 rushing yards on an average of 5.8 ypc, but the Wildcats had three takeaways and limited the Tide to 5-of-16 success on third down conversion attempts. Only once in three trips to the red zone did 'Bama come away with points. Opponents are generating only 7.8 ppg against Kentucky, which is allowing a mere 259.4 total ypg. Clearly, coach Brooks has one of the nation's more dominant defensive units. The effort against the pass has limited opposing quarterbacks to 63-of-135 passing with six interceptions and only two scores. With 12 takeaways and 12 sacks, there has been no shortage of big plays. Braxton Kelley leads the team with 34 total tackles, and he has posted three sacks and one fumble recovery.

The Wildcats get the nod in this contest, as they will do a much better job of containing the South Carolina passing attack than Ole Miss did last weekend. Expect Hartline and the offense to make enough plays to win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kentucky 20, South Carolina 13

Saturday, October 11th, 12:30 p.m. (et).