Pregame update: USC has just one more obstacle, Kentucky, before big game vs. Georgia

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Just one obstacle remains for South Carolina to enter next week’s showdown with Georgia undefeated. And it doesn’t seem like a big obstacle at all. Sixth-ranked USC plays at 7 tonight at Kentucky, which is perhaps the Southeastern Conference’s worst team.

This is just USC’s fifth game ever when ranked No. 6 or higher and first since 2007, when the Gamecocks lost to Vanderbilt when they were No. 6.

The Gamecocks beat Kentucky 54-3 last season and lost 31-28 in 2010 in Lexington. Fifth-ranked Georgia is hosting Tennessee today – and winning 21-10 at the end of the first quarter – as the Bulldogs also try to enter next Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at USC undefeated.

If USC and Georgia both win today, they would both enter next Saturday 5-0 and 3-0 in the SEC. All of USC’s conference wins would have been over East Division opponents. Georgia-USC could end up being the de facto SEC East championship game. USC won the East in 2010 and Georgia won it last season, despite losing to the Gamecocks.

Tonight’s game will air on ESPN2. Georgia-USC will air on ESPN. Kentucky is 1-3 this season and 0-1 in SEC play.