Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up to face South Carolina Gamecocks in their SEC opener after a dominant 31-0 victory over Southern Miss, marking the first shutout in a season opener during Mark Stoops' tenure. The Gamecocks, who narrowly defeated Old Dominion, are 9-point underdogs and have historically struggled at Kentucky's stadium. Both teams are integrating new players, with Kentucky's quarterback Brock Vandagriff and South Carolina's dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers under the spotlight. Kentucky's strong defense and South Carolina's run-heavy offense will be key factors. The outcome of this game is pivotal for South Carolina's bowl aspirations and could set the stage for Kentucky's upcoming clash with top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.