Cats Illustrated is taking a way-too-early look at Kentucky's 2017 opponents.

To that end, we're taking a look at South Carolina.

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OTHER CATS ILLUSTRATED 2017 OPPONENT PREVIEWS

Southern Miss, the Cats' opening opponent, loses Nick Mullens but can ride Ito Smith

Kentucky has defeated the Gamecocks three consecutive years, but the widespread expectation seems to be that Will Muschamp's second team in Columbia, S.C., will be better than his first. Winning in Williams-Brice Stadium for a second-straight time won't be easy, but it's also far from impossible.

It's commonly said that Kentucky needs to win its fair share (or more than its fair share) against the likes of South Carolina, Missouri and Vanderbilt in the East. Establishing its place in, at least, the middle of the East's pecking order requires that. The Cats have taken care of business against the Gamecocks in recent years. Can they do it again?

In ESPN's initial preseason FPI rankings the Gamecocks actually rank ahead of Kentucky by a couple of spots.

In all likelihood the South Carolina offense that Kentucky faced in 2016 will be very different than the one the Cats see next year in Columbia.

Last year Kentucky's defense played its best game of the season, to that point, against South Carolina. They held the Gamecocks to 10 points and just 268 yards. The Gamecocks were an awful 3-14 on third down, rushed for 2.6 yards per carry and completed just 50-percent of their throws in the passing game.

South Carolina scored just seven points in their regular season finale against Clemson, many weeks later, and averaged less than 21 points per game on the year.

So why the optimism?

Freshman quarterback Jake Bentley didn't see his first action until the UMass game last year, nearly a full month after the Gamecocks' loss to Kentucky. In five of his seven games Bentley completed better than 60-percent of his passes, throwing for nine touchdowns against just four interceptions to finish out the season.

While the Gamecocks couldn't rally for the comeback win against USF in their bowl game, they did score 39 points with Bentley posting a season-high 390 yards through the air.

Bentley's return as South Carolina's second-year starter means Muschamp's offense could improve significantly in 2017.

South Carolina also returns two of its three leading running backs from 2016. Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner and David Williams combined for about 1,500 yards on the ground. Williams is transferring but the Gamecocks also add UNC transfer Ty'Son Williams to their crowded backfield

The Gamecocks' receivers weren't great last year but they return a lot there, too, headlined by the return of leading receiver Deebo Samuel (59 catches, 789 yards, one TD). Hayden Hurst was one of the nation's most productive tight ends last year (48 catches, 616 yards, one TD) and he returns as well. It's expected that South Carolina will play two tight ends frequently as they did last year.

South Carolina returns four starters on their offensive line and only replaces their left tackle.

Considering how much the Gamecocks return, and the fact that they played much better during the second half of last year's schedule (with notable exceptions against Clemson and Florida, teams with significantly better personnel), its reasonable to believe South Carolina's offense will improve. This unit will have better quarterback play, a deep backfield, and plenty of experience on the offensive line, at receiver and tight end with virtually all playmakers returning.

Followers of Kentucky football recruiting might recognize defensive lineman M.J. Webb when he suits up for the Gamecocks this year. He was high on Kentucky before enrolling early at South Carolina. He probably won't start but Webb will be part of their defensive line rotation.

The Gamecocks do have to replace Darius English and his nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss, as well as Marquavius Lewis. Their pass rush is largely unproven with younger players taking the place of those who have since moved on.

Senior defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth is the Gamecocks' best player up front and while he won't put up eye-popping numbers he's very good.

Senior linebacker Skai Moore missed last season but returns for the Gamecocks' 2017 campaign. He was South Carolina's leading tackler in his first three seasons with the program before missing last year. His readiness and return to form will determine a lot about the quality of the linebacker group.

South Carolina will benefit from the return of linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams. His 75 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss were among the team's best in those categories last year. The Gamecocks will have to replace linebackers T.J. Holloman and Jonathan Walton, the team's third and fourth leading tacklers last year.

Muschamp's defense appears strong at cornerback, with senior-to-be Chris Lammons leading the way, and adequate at safety. It won't be an easy secondary to pass on.

In short, the defense has production to replace at defensive end and linebacker. The safety play could improve but the Gamecocks should be strong up the middle and at cornerback, with the linebackers being, potentially, better than many expect.

South Carolina probably did well to reach a bowl game last year because they were 2-4 at one point and not looking very good, so credit Will Muschamp with doing a solid job in his first year there.

With Bentley returning at quarterback, and most of the offense intact, the Gamecocks could put up a lot more points in 2016. The defense is solid in the secondary and should be okay up the middle. If they can find a pass rush and some depth at linebacker, they could be a surprise team in the East. This game will be much more difficult for Kentucky than it was in 2016, especially since it's on the road.

WAY TOO EARLY LINE PROJECTION: South Carolina -5

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