CHRONICLE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The University of South Carolina’s 2019 football season has taken more turns than a NASCAR road course.

After last week’s loss to Missouri, one that I’ve described as inexplicable and unacceptable, Will Muschamp’s Gamecocks are licking their wounds ahead of the most important game of his tenure.

South Carolina has a 5-game losing streak to Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats. It’s a stat of which no Gamecock fan needs to be reminded. The Gamecocks and Wildcats are both on their backup quarterbacks after season-ending injuries to Jake Bentley and Terry Wilson, respectively.

Both teams are coming off of road conference losses and looking for their first SEC win of the season.

South Carolina has to find an identity on offense. There doesn’t seem to be a rhythm to Bryan McClendon’s offensive approach and only amassing 26 yards rushing in Week 4 is not a recipe for success.

Ryan Hilinski looked like a true freshman in Missouri, perhaps quieting some of the optimism after his first two starts. I don’t believe that loss is pinned on him, as the offense had absolutely no identity and seemed wayward for much of the day.

Defensively, the Gamecocks played their best half of football in the first half, keeping the Tigers offense in check and Kelly Bryant off rhythm. Unfortunately,with the offense’s inability to move the ball consistently, the defense tired quickly in the second half.

South Carolina has to find the running game Saturday night in Williams-Brice. Run Rico Dowdle and Tavien Feaster at least a combined 50 times against the Wildcats. If Hilinski’s elbow is still sore, the running game will have to be the main attraction against Kentucky.

South Carolina’s defense is statistically the worst in allowing opposing offenses to gain 10+ yards per play. Limiting the big plays will be the most important emphasis for the Gamecock defense.

It is the most important game of the Mus-champ era and fans are hoping the team is actually prepared to perform in a big game. The game can be seen on the SEC Network starting at 7:30 pm and heard on WNKT

(107.5 FM) and the TuneIn Radio Phone App.

Justin Hall is the director of media/broacasting for the Lexington County Blowfish. He’s also the co-host of the ‘Fifth Quarter Post-Game Show’ on WVOC (560 AM) with former Gamecock Tim Frisby.