UGA vs USC
3:30 p.m.
Williams-Brice Stadium
CBS-TV
GEORGIA OFFENSE
Georgia’s offensive explosion against Central Michigan should be noted as the Bulldogs have proven it has big play capability at any time. In fact, Georgia’s offense is as balanced as it’s been since, maybe, ever. Against the Chippewas the Bulldogs ran the ball 36 times and threw 33 passing attempts. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn’t made many mistakes yet, running back Knowshon Moreno added jumping over defenders to his résumé and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has had strong outings in both games. However, Georgia will face a tougher defense in South Carolina and it will be tough to put up 45 or 56 points this time.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEFENSE
The Gamecocks have one of the best defenses in the SEC, led by linebacker Jasper Brinkley. In its loss against Vanderbilt last Thursday, the Gamecocks limited Vanderbilt’s offense to 225 total yards and only 90 passing. South Carolina likes to play a press man-to-man coverage, and it has physical corners that do this well in Captain Munnerlyn and Stoney Woodson. The defense has to carry the Gamecocks if they want to find some success and force Georgia into kicking field goals – much like it did last year in Athens.
EDGE: GEORGIA
Georgia’s offense is too powerful and strong this time around for South Carolina. Last year the game was marred by missed opportunities for the Bulldogs, something still fresh in the mind of the offense. The Georgia offense is rolling with the young offensive line having early success, only giving up only one sack in two games. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said if he could change something about last year’s game, it would be getting the ball in the hands of his playmakers more. Look for Georgia to do that this year.
GEORGIA DEFENSE
Focus is the key for the Bulldogs as Asher Allen and C.J. Byrd said Georgia lost it at times against Central Michigan. Georgia will need to stop the Gamecocks’ running attack and limit the damage Mike Davis can potentially do on the ground. Davis doesn’t go down easy and it will be up to Georgia to not miss many tackles and not allow Davis to penetrate into the secondary. With Georgia not defending a Georgia Southern or Central Michigan type of spread offense this week, Georgia will look to stop the run early and make whichever South Carolina quarterback beat the Bulldogs with his arm.
SOUTH CAROLINA OFFENSE
With receiver Kenny McKinley doubtful, the Gamecocks need someone to step up and be a go-to guy. That may be tight end Jared Cook, who has 10 receptions, 130 yards and a touchdown so far this season. The only problem is who is going to get him the ball? Tommy Beecher was awful against N.C. State and Chris Smelley hasn’t proved he can take command of this offense. Stephen Garcia was back at practice this week and received a lot of snaps. Head coach Steve Spurrier said he will play two quarterbacks in this contest but South Carolina’s success will lie in the legs of running back Mike Davis, who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
EDGE: GEORGIA
South Carolina won’t throw for 250 yards like Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour did. Georgia held former South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell to 174 in the air last year and Smelley, Garcia and Beecher may not reach that number in a combined effort. Up front, Georgia has what it takes to stop the South Carolina ground game, as South Carolina’s offense should struggle against the Georgia defense.
GEORGIA SPECIAL TEAMS
At this point of the season, the kicking game is a hard one to analyze for Georgia. Kicker Blair Walsh only has two attempts this year – one being a 52-yarder he nailed against Georgia Southern and the other being a 56-yarder he missed to the right against Central Michigan. What we do know is Walsh has a heck of a leg. What we don’t know is does he have the accuracy and consistency to hit field goals in the 40-45 yard range when the pressure is on, especially on the road.
SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Ryan Succop struggled mightily against Vanderbilt, getting one field goal blocked in the third quarter and missing a 48-yarder in the fourth quarter. However, Succop, a junior, is a veteran kicker and should bounce back this week. The Gamecocks have Captain Munnerlyn returning punts and he’s a quick, agile guy who has big play potential.
EDGE: EVEN
There’s no decisive edge on special teams based on what we don’t know about Georgia and what we do know about South Carolina. Georgia’s punt return situation is still somewhat in the air, although Asher Allen will probably end up taking the job full time. The edge will come down to this: If the game is on the line, who do you want kicking a last second field goal? Walsh or Succop?
GEORGIA INTANGIBLES
Georgia has revenge on its mind after losing 16-12 to the Gamecocks in Athens last year. And think about it: If Georgia pulls out that heartbreaker, it wins the SEC East, has a chance at winning the SEC Championship and if it wins that, it goes to the national championship. There were a lot of miscues, and Georgia will try and stay focused early and throughout.
SOUTH CAROLINA INTANGIBLES
South Carolina has nothing to lose at this point in the SEC race, even though it’s still early. The Gamecocks just lost to Vanderbilt for the second straight year and a loss against Georgia ends all chances South Carolina has at making a run for the East crown. For South Carolina, Georgia is its second biggest rival and it helps to have this game at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina also has Steve Spurrier on the sideline, who coaches his best games against Georgia. It doesn’t help that history is on South Carolina’s side as the last few contests have been low scoring affairs – which South Carolina will need to have if it wants to win this year.
EDGE: S. CAROLINA
Steve Spurrier would love to ruin Georgia’s season for the second straight year. He knows his chances of winning the SEC East ride solely on this game, so the Bulldogs should expect the kitchen sink as well as the refrigerator thrown at them. Maybe even a wrench too. Georgia has the better team on offense and defense, but sometimes the better team doesn’t always win when the other team has great coaching.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
Georgia’s offense gets on South Carolina early in the first quarter with a touchdown and a field goal.
South Carolina’s offense struggles and by the time it can put together a couple of drives, it’s too late.
