The Kentucky Wildcats travel down to Columbia for their second road game of the season, and they will be facing a South Carolina team that is desperate for a win. We have previewed the South Carolina offense and defense, and now we will take a look at some individual players that can make an impact in this football game. Turnovers have decided this series as of late, and which defense can make the opposing quarterback more uncomfortable can decide this matchup. Here are defensive X factors that can have great performances this weekend.
LB Bo Barnes
Bo Barnes has come along well in the first month of the season, we have seen him fly sideline-to-sideline and make plays in multiple situations. Barnes has shown the ability to win as a pass rusher as a blitzer
or in simulated pressure looks. He will be a key in slowing down this rushing attack from the Gamecocks and has to be sound in his run fits. Another area Barnes can be a massive help is playing as a spy on quarterback LaNorris Sellers when Jay Bateman calls up man coverage looks.
ED Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace
Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace has probably been the most consistent player on the Wildcats defense through the first month of the season. Humphrey-Grace has certainly benefitted from the scheme change and has consistently been winning on the edge. He has also been great against RPO and screen plays at getting his hand up to created batted passes at the line of scrimmage, two which led directly to turnovers for the Kentucky defense. Humphrey-Grace has to continue playing at a high level and get pressure on Sellers in this football game.
ED Sam Greene
Sam Greene plays with relentless effort and has made big plays in the first month of the season. He had a couple of game defining plays on the road at Texas A&M, including an interception on a simulated pressure look as well as a massive fourth down stop against the run. Greene has to win on the edge to slow down this rushing attack and help make Sellers uncomfortable in the pocket. Greene and this Kentucky defensive line has to win at the point of attack and get consistent pressure on Sellers.
DB Vicari Swain
Vicari Swain is one of the best players on this South Carolina team. Swain leads the Gamecocks with two pass breakups in coverage, he also has a tackle for loss and a sack on the season. The real way Swain affects the game is as a punt returner, and Kentucky has struggled in the punt game so far this season. Swain has returned two punts for touchdowns already this season and is averaging 18 yards per punt return.
DT Tomiwa Durojaiye
Tomika Durojaiye started his career at Kentucky, if you find his name familiar. He has been hard to keep track of since as South Carolina is his fifth school in five season. After transferring from Kentucky, he has made stops at West Virginia, Florida State and Illinois before ultimately deciding to return to the SEC to play his final season for the Gamecocks. Durojaiye leads South Carolina with three tackles for loss and also has two sack on the season; he will be extra important with the edge threat of Dylan Stewart.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky at South Carolina: Defensive x-factors
