BLAIR WALSH VS. SPENCER LANNING

Georgia-South Carolina always comes down to the wire with low scores – and odd ones. Both offenses always have trouble finding the end zone. In the last five games, neither team has scored over 20 points, and neither the Bulldogs nor the Gamecocks have scored more than one touchdown since 2006.

Georgia’s Blair Walsh has one hell of a leg (evidenced by a career-best 53-yarder against Oklahoma State), but has been inconsistent at times. Carolina’s Spencer Lanning, a former walk-on, has never successfully attempted a field goal after two botched tries last week against N.C. State. The game could come down to a small handful of points and these kickers will be in some pressure situations and will have to come up big if either team wants to win.

A.J. GREEN VS. SPRING CHICKENS

An experienced Oklahoma State secondary limited A.J. Green’s catches last week, but guess what? The Gamecocks don’t have any seasoned vets at corner back. The ‘Cocks No. 1s, sophomore Akeem Auguste and freshman Stephon Gilmore, have a combined two starts – both coming last week. With South Carolina’s stout run defense, the passing game will be key for the Bulldogs. Carolina will obviously give added attention to Green, but with the Gamecock’s youth at corner, Green has the potential for a huge game Saturday.

GEORGIA’S OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CAROLINA’S TWO CLIFFS

South Carolina has a trench-dominating defensive line, led by junior ends Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers.

Matthews has a non-stop motor and, as a former linebacker and tight end, is very athletic. Geathers, the brother of freshman Bulldog Kwame Geathers, at 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, has a huge wingspan and is truly a force on the end.

Saturday will be Geathers’ first game of the season after he served a one-game suspension for getting in a bar fight (he also broke his orbital bone).

Georgia’s Vince Vance will get the start at left tackle Saturday, replacing Trinton Sturdivant, who tore his ACL for the second straight season against OK State. How well he does protecting Joe Cox’s blind side from South Carolina’s dominating D-ends will help dictate how Georgia’s offense is able to perform.

JOE COX VS. COCKS (AND COX)

Fifth-year Georgia quarterback Joe Cox completed just 50 percent of his passes in his first start in three years last week, and reacted defensively this week, saying that people who have never played football shouldn’t criticize him.

Cox’s performance may not make or break the Bulldogs’ chances against South Carolina, as it typically comes down to who can be more physical and have a better running game. Cox will be trying to prove doubters wrong Saturday, but can’t try to do everything against a tough Gamecock defense.

ERIC NORWOOD VS. THE WORLD

Eric Norwood, South Carolina’s do-everything defensive hybrid, is a game-changer and is on pace to rewrite the Gamecock record book. The Acworth native has started 25 games in his career – and has 22 sacks and 43 tackles for loss.

Georgia needs to know where he is at all times pre-snap and make sure they limit his chances to make a play on the ball. He’ll make an impact. Georgia just has to hope it doesn’t come in the form of turnovers.

SOUTH CAROLINA’S OFFENSE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA’S OFFENSE

Futility at its finest.

The Gamecocks couldn’t run or pass the ball against N.C. State in Week 1. The offensive gameplan was a conservative, un-Spurrier like one, and the Head Ball Coach himself has said that may be what the ‘Cocks have to do to let the defense win games for him.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia was inconsistent last season, and had trouble staying in the pocket and making throws last week.

Don’t look for much out of the Gamecock offense.