[SIZE=14.0pt]GAMECOCKFANATICS OFFICIAL PREVIEW & PREDICTION THREAD:[/SIZE]
South Carolina vs #3 Georgia
Who: South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2) vs Georgia Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0)
When: Saturday October 12th, 2019
Kick-off: 12:00 pm ET
Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
TV: ESPN
The Gamecocks come off their bye week rested, and travel south to Athens to challenge SEC Divisional rivals and undefeated Georgia this Saturday in a noon game, and look to extend their conference success after defeating Kentucky for their first SEC win of 2019.
The Series Match-up
South Carolina holds the longest series history with Georgia of any SEC member rival, with a total of 72 games played: UGA hold the series advantage 52-18-2. Since joining the SEC beginning in 1992, USC has been more competitive at 9-18, and is 5-7 against UGA over the past 12 games. This series is generally a more competitive series as both program often compete for the same prospects in the same regions, and often have multiple players from each opposing state, raising the competitive emotions to their highest levels. Currently UGA has seen a resurgence within its program, which has resulted in a four-game win streak that the Gamecocks will try to end this Saturday.
The Coaches
USC Gamecocks
Head Coach: Will Muschamp (age 48), 4th year, 24-18 (52-39 as Head Coach)
Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers: Bryan McClendon
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs: Travaris Robinson
Quarterbacks: Dan Werner
Running Backs: Thomas Brown
Offensive Line: Eric Wolford
Tight Ends: Bobby Bentley
Defensive Line: John Scott Jr.
Special Teams/Linebackers: Coleman Hutzler
Special Teams/Nickle Backs/Sam Linebackers: Kyle Krantz
Outside Linebackers: Mike Peterson
Georgia Bulldogs
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (age 43), 4th year, 37-10
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line: Sam Pittman
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: James Coley
Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers: Dan Lanning
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers: Cortez Hankton
Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs: Dell McGee
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers: Glenn Schumann
Tight Ends: Todd Hartley
Defensive Line: Tray Scott
Defensive Backs: Charlton Warren
Special Teams: Scott Fountain
The Series Match-up
South Carolina holds the longest series history with Georgia of any SEC member rival, with a total of 72 games played: UGA hold the series advantage 52-18-2. Since joining the SEC beginning in 1992, USC has been more competitive at 9-18, and is 5-7 against UGA over the past 12 games. This series is generally a more competitive series as both program often compete for the same prospects in the same regions, and often have multiple players from each opposing state, raising the competitive emotions to their highest levels. Currently UGA has seen a resurgence within its program, which has resulted in a four-game win streak that the Gamecocks will try to end this Saturday.
Key Match-ups For The Game
This will be a struggle for the Gamecocks, as UGA is in the top 10-15 in most offensive and defensive statistical categories while USC is in the top 50 for most. South Carolina’s defense is going to have to play at their best level of the season to contain the Georgia offense, while our own offense will need to do the same in a hostile environment.
Key Players
Ryan Hilinski performed very well earlier in the season against top-ranked Alabama. He struggled a bit in his first road SEC game against Missouri. This week he’ll go to a very hostile road SEC environment against an opponent every bit as dominant as Bama was. Hopefully the extra week of rest and preparation will have him ready to play against the weakest part of UGA’s defense: their pass defense. WRs Bryan Edwards, Shi Smith, and company will also play huge roles here. Also the run game of Dowdle, Feaster, and Denson will also help to keep the Bulldog defense balanced, but UGA has yet to allow a single rushing touchdown thus far this season – the last FBS team to do so.
On defense, USC’s DL will have their work cut out against a very strong UGA OL that has led a FBS-leading 1 sack on the season, and only 15 tackles for loss – 2nd in FBS – thus far. Hopefully we’ll find a way to at least fluster UGA QB Jake Fromm – Fromm doesn’t throw a ton of passes nor for a ton of yards, but he’s very accurate and efficient, with 8 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions thus far, thanks in large part to that UGA OL. Wonnum, Kinlaw, Sterling, and crew must find a way into the Bulldog backfield.
South Carolina Will Win If
The team comes into Sanford with lots of energy and is able to block out the crowd noise. Some strong play and a fortunate break or two early on in the game will definitely help in that regard.If the team can stay close to UGA on the scoreboard, it will cause UGA to get tight and USC to gain confidence. Playmakers on both sides of the ball will have to bring their top games Saturday. Very few mistakes, turnovers, and good discipline all around will be key, which should not be too unfair to expect with two weeks of game preparation.
Georgia Will Win If
If the Gamecock defense are not able to contain UGA’s offense, and UGA pulls away early in the game, it will force USC’s own offense to become more one-dimensional, which would then play right into UGA’s defense’s hands. If the passing offense is unable to connect from QB to WR, or turnovers shut down offensive drives or give UGA’s offense more field time, it would allow Georgia to put the game into a strangle-hold.
Gamecock Fanatics Prediction
South Carolina 21 Georgia 35
Last edited by a moderator:
