Kentucky vs South Carolina head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 5, Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The Breakdown
Kentucky edges South Carolina 63-61 on composite — nearly a coin flip, decided by the quarterback star gap.
When Kentucky has the ball: The 3.6★ O-line (3.4 years) meets South Carolina's 3.8★ D-line and 5★ Dylan Stewart — even.
When South Carolina has the ball: 5★ Nyck Harbor headlines a 4★ receiving corps against Kentucky's 3.5★ secondary — a half-star edge.
Swing factor: Kenny Minchey, a 4★ portal arrival with three years, outranks Lanorris Sellers' 3★ at identical experience.
X-factor: Kentucky heads to Columbia for a Week 5 SEC Saturday in October — Gamecocks own the crowd.