Kentucky Travels to South Carolina for Week 5 SEC Game at Williams‑Brice

A Kentucky win would extend momentum under first‑year coach Will Stein after the road upset of Texas A&M and increase pressure on South Carolina's staff.

Overview

The game is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, and will air nationally on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb in the booth and Michella Chester on the sideline.
No. 24 Kentucky enters 3-1 (1-1 SEC) riding momentum from its Sept. 19 road upset of top‑10 Texas A&M and is led by first‑year head coach Will Stein.
South Carolina is 2-2 (0-2 SEC) with a seven‑game SEC losing streak that has intensified scrutiny of coach Shane Beamer and the program's direction.
The Gamecocks will be without defensive starter Dylan Stewart due to a suspension and Kentucky will be missing receiver D.J. Miller, both absences that could affect matchups and game plans.
BetMGM listed South Carolina as about a 2.5‑point favorite with Kentucky around +115 on the moneyline, and the rivalry carries added context because Kentucky's 2021 win over South Carolina was later vacated by the NCAA.