Kentucky at South Carolina: Offensive x-factors

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The Kentucky Wildcats are heading to Columbia to face a South Carolina team with their backs against the wall. Shane Beamer is on a scorching hot seat and is likely coaching for his job on Saturday. We have previewed the South Carolina offense and defense, now we will take a look at players that can make a big impact in this game. Here are offensive X factors for both teams that could have great performances this weekend.

QB Kenny Minchey

Kenny Minchey has looked comfortable in this offense, he has been efficient as the signal caller but a little inconsistent when pushing the ball vertically down the field. Minchey had his breakout performance in his first SEC road start at Texas A&M in week three against a Mike Elko defense, which is an encouraging sign. He needs to have a similar performance this weekend. South Carolina's defense ranks dead last in the SEC in EPA/dropback allowed and have given up a ton of explosive passes over the last two weeks; this could be a massive performance for Minchey.

WR Kenny Darby

Kenny Darby has been Kentucky's most lethal weapon in the passing game despite being a true freshman. Darby could give this defense fits on Saturday. As we mentioned, this is a South Carolina defense that will have coverage busts and allow offenses opportunities to create explosives in the passing game. DJ Miller and Nic Anderson have been inconsistent, but Darby has been the go-to wide receiver early. Darby could have another great performance on Saturday, and the Wildcats need him to exploit a leaky South Carolina secondary.

TE Willie Rodriguez

Kentucky is arguably the top team in the country at utilizing their tight ends and creating mismatches in two or three tight end sets. Willie Rodriguez is the main guy to keep an eye on, though we have seen Henry Boyer and Mikkel Skinner make plays this season as well. Rodriguez continues to be a mismatch for defenses and they may have opportunities to push the ball down the field to him this weekend. I think Rodriguez could see a lot of targets in Columbia and he can be really tough to defend for this South Carolina defense.

HB Matt Fuller

Running back Matt Fuller has been one of the few bright spots on this South Carolina offense as they try to get the passing game going. Fuller ranks fourth in the SEC with 384 rushing yards and averaging 96 yards per game. Fuller also leads the Gamecocks in receptions with 13 on the season. Kentucky has to slow down the rushing attack in this spread offensive scheme from offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.

QB LaNorris Sellers

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is on his third season for South Carolina and we have seen him takeover games over his career. The scheme change under Kendal Briles has not gone well for Sellers, which is mainly because the Gamecocks lack weapons in the passing game. This is an issue that might not get fixed as the Kentucky secondary has performed very well against the pass. Sellers has to play better than he has in the first month of the season for South Carolina to win this football game.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky at South Carolina: Offensive x-factors

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