The moment we have been waiting for is finally here almost here. The SEC’s new 16-team era begins when Kentucky hosts South Carolina at Kroger Field. Before the action kicks off at 3:45 p.m. EST on ABC, check out a few final stats, facts and figures you need to know about this highly anticipated matchup.

-6 – Kentucky’s turnover margin in three games against Shane Beamer.

0 – Kentucky’s defense allowed three of nine third- and fourth-down attempts after Southern Miss’ second drive. The Golden Eagles converted just 3 of 9 third- and fourth-down attempts, a year after ranking 100th in third-down defense.

2 — True freshmen were given starting spots for South Carolina’s offense in the first week, including left tackle Josiah Thompson.

3 — Years in a row in which Barion Brown scored a touchdown in the season opener. He is the first Kentucky Wildcat to do so since Marc Logan in the 1985/86 season.

4 — Various coaching stints for Eric Wolford at South Carolina and Kentucky. Spent one season with Steve Spurrier in 2009. He was offensive line coach at South Carolina from 2017-2020 before joining Mark Stoops’ staff in 2021. He returned to Lexington this spring after two years at Alabama.

5 – South Carolina sacks in week one. Kyle Kennard and former Five Star candidate Dylan Stewart Summarized for four bags.

6 — Straight loss for South Carolina in SEC openers. Kentucky has won five of its last six SEC openers.

9 — LaNorris Sellers’ passes completed in Week 1. He passed seven times and was sacked four times while reaching his receivers on 43% of his attempts.

10 – Kentucky has converted interceptions into touchdowns since 2020, the most of any FBS program. Maxwell Hairston had two in a game against Vanderbilt last fall. The cornerback and Jordan Lovett Each of them has five career picks, the most of any active Wildcat.

11.1 – Projected win for Kentucky according to ESPN’s SP+.

14 – Runs by Kentucky’s running backs in week one. The QB and WRs combined for 10 runs in the shortened game.

18 — The most points have been scored by the team that has lost the last eight meetings in this series. In the last nine meetings between Kentucky and South Carolina, the record is 8-1. The total point total this week is 42.5.

19 – Kentucky managed first downs in just 44 snaps against Southern Miss. The Wildcats changed chains once every 2.3 games.

27 – Direct games with a reception for Barion Brown of Kentucky.

51 — Career games by Zion Childressmore than any active Kentucky Wildcat, even more than the seventh-year senior OL Marques Cox.

56 – South Carolina’s rushing attempts in its 23-19 Week 1 win over Old Dominion, the most rushing attempts in a game for the Gamecocks since 2016.

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