What the Gamecocks need to accomplish in order to defeat Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

Be the better defense

About 15 yards per game separate the South Carolina and Kentucky defenses when it comes to total defense. After Ole Miss pummeled the USC defense in the first half last week, the Gamecocks dropped from the nation’s top defense to No. 6 overall and No. 2 in the SEC. The Wildcats are also a vaunted national defense coming in at No. 12 nationally and No. 4 in the conference. The biggest difference between the two squads comes in the scoring area. Kentucky tops both the nation and SEC in scoring defense allowing just 7.8 points per game. In total, the Wildcats have given up just three touchdowns all season long. Carolina comes in at No. 15 in scoring defense with 14.7 points per game but has given up nine touchdowns already.

The Spurrier effect

It’s almost ironic that in his career Steve Spurrier is a perfect 15-0 against Kentucky but has lost to Vanderbilt each of the last two seasons. When he was at Florida, Spurrier took home wins against Wildcat greats like Tim Couch and Jared Lorenzen. Last season, the Gamecocks and Wildcats hooked up in a top-15 matchup on ESPN’s Thursday night game of the week. What resulted was a 38-23 Carolina victory highlighted by defender Eric Norwood’s two-touchdown game. The Gamecocks do own the last eight games in the series and still lead 12-6-1. But in order to inch closer to bowl eligibility, they’ll need the best play-calling Spurrier has to win.

Balance the attack

If Chris Smelley plays half as well as he did against Ole Miss, the USC passing game will be in good shape. However, the team still needs to find a true identity at running back. Mike Davis is the No. 7 rusher in the SEC with just over 65 yards per game, but he’s only reached the end zone one time all year. Carolina has tried to find a second runner from four different candidates – Bobby Wallace, Taylor Rank, Eric Baker and Brian Maddox – but none have been awe inspiring just yet. Spurrier might stick with Wallace as the No. 2 back with his senior status, but who knows just yet? The Gamecocks will need to find that balance if they plan on making it through the end of season eligible for the postseason.

—Alex Riley