Countdown begins to Georgia-South Carolina showdown; Gamecocks favored
It has all the trappings of a mega-game: two undefeated teams that are among the nation’s top half-dozen in the polls, a team that has scored 48.2 points per game vs. a team that has allowed 11.2, the early lead in the SEC East at stake.
The countdown is on for No. 5 Georgia, the offensive juggernaut, vs. No. 6 South Carolina, the defensive juggernaut, Saturday night in Columbia, S.C. Both teams are 5-0 (3-0 SEC).
“It’s a huge game,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Sunday. “We all know it.”
“It’s a big, big game,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said, “when you’re playing this deep into the conference season and you’ve got two undefeateds.”
Validating the game’s marquee status, ESPN announced that its “College GameDay” show – the popular three-hour preview program – will air from the South Carolina campus Saturday morning.
“The last time they were here [was when] we played Alabama two years ago,” Spurrier said. “Obviously that was one of the best days in Carolina football history, first time we had ever beat a No. 1 team.
“So [the show] adds to the importance of the game. It sort of lets the world know, the country know, ‘Hey, South Carolina football is pretty good.’ We’re not quite where we want to be yet, but we’re up there amongst them, and hopefully we can keep pushing on.”
Depending on the outcome of Saturday’s Florida-LSU game, the Georgia-South Carolina winner will lead the SEC East outright or be tied with the Gators for first place.
The Gamecocks opened as a 2 1/2-point favorite, according to vegasinsider.com.
Defensively, the game will feature two of the SEC’s more acclaimed players, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones and South Carolina end Jadeveon Clowney. Offensively, it will feature three of the SEC’s top seven rushers: Georgia freshman Todd Gurley, who leads the league with 107.2 yards per game; South Carolina junior Marcus Lattimore, sixth in the league at 88 yards per game; and Georgia freshman Keith Marshall, seventh at 85.6.
Lattimore has gained 358 yards on 64 carries against Georgia the past two seasons – 182 yards on 37 carries as a freshman in 2010, 176 yards on 27 carries last season. Lattimore returned this season after missing the final six games last year with a knee injury.
Asked Sunday if Lattimore is back to pre-injury form, Spurrier said: “I hope he’s where he was when he ran against Georgia two years ago. That’s where I hope he is because that was sort of his coming-out day here at Williams-Brice [Stadium]. … I think he’s close to being just as good as he has ever been. I think he tells people, ‘Not quite where I was, but I’ll get there real soon.’”
Georgia is coming off a wild 51-44 victory over Tennessee. The Bulldogs’ offense piled up 560 yards but committed three turnovers, while their defense gave up 478 yards but forced four turnovers, including three in the final six minutes. Spurrier’s impression after watching highlights of the game: “A lot of long runs by those Bulldog freshmen.”
South Carolina, meanwhile, is coming off a 38-17 victory at Kentucky. The Gamecocks trailed 17-7 at halftime but dominated the second half behind stellar defense and Lattimore’s running.
“They’ve beaten us the last two years,” Richt said, “so we’ve got something to prove.”
Etc.
On his Sunday evening teleconference, Richt said he was happy with the defensive plays the Bulldogs made near the end of the Tennessee game but unhappy about the offense’s inability to “knock out a first down when we needed it the most to try to take [the] drama out of it at the very end.” Said Richt: “One thing we’ve got to improve on is our ability to get a couple of first downs at the end of a ballgame, force people to use some timeouts and run some clock. We just really haven’t done a good job of that in recent memory.” … Richt on Lattimore: “He does seem to play even better as the game wears on.” … Richt on South Carolina defensive ends Clowney and Devin Taylor: “They’re super tall [6-6 and 6-8, respectively] and athletic; they have outstanding technique; they are much more physical against the run than they were a year ago. They’re really complete players now, and there are two of them.” … This is the first season since South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992 that the Gamecocks were not the Bulldogs’ opening league opponent. “I think the biggest difference [in facing the Gamecocks later] is that we’ll be watching this year’s film instead of last year’s film,” Richt said.
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276 comments Add your comment
redandblack
September 30th, 2012
9:59 pm
This game really concerns me……There can be zero turnovers, zero mental mistakes and zero stupid penalties.
Do this and maybe, just maybe we escape with a win.
Clowney & Co. are for real…..
I don’t like Game Day being there. They are a jinx for us….especially that a$$hole Corso. What a fool..
I don’t care if it’s a 1 point win…….I just want a win there and in Jax to get us to the Dome and a shot at Bama…A win there and the rest is just gravy (win or lose) at least we will have gotten to the show
If a trip to Miami is in the cards, then fine…
Avery
September 30th, 2012
10:00 pm
Defenses are measured by the 4th quarter. UGA is holding teams to 4 point sin the 4th quarter.
Just like the 2010 AuBURN National Champs did.
2010 Auburn was 12th in scoring in the SEC, and 8th in yards, Grantham is better in both in 2012.
Also, the UGA offense is scoring more, and gain more yards than the 2010 NaTL cHAMP Aubrn did.
UGA is playing at a National Championship calibre, don’t know why they’re ranked #5, when Auburn was ranekd #1 in 2010 and put up worse numbers on BOTH sides of the ball.
Dog in Nam
September 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
Whatts up Tampa gater…don’t let the Hator bother you…he doesn’t apparently know that you are a classy, well mannered poster who contributes in a positive way to the conversation…I also don’t like the sound of Gurshall, and think it a bit silly…mainly it just doesn’t sound so good..the tone or something would maybe be phonetically disruptive to the tonetic ears of the rhymist, BUT, the kids seemed to like it themselves and felt like it was an honor bestowed on them…so, if they like it, I do too, I guess…anyway good to read your posts as always…and good luck to your Gators and to Coach Muschamp all but one game!
Dog in Nam
September 30th, 2012
10:10 pm
I know your screen name is Tampa Gator, sorry for the typo
Jesper Shanks
September 30th, 2012
10:21 pm
Grantham has proven that he’s an overpaid, overstuffed, foul-mouthed jerk. It’s past time to run him out of Athens on a rail.
flo-ri-duh
September 30th, 2012
10:43 pm
Malcom did not run a single play saturday and he is by far the best pass blocker and is averaging almost 6 yards a carry. Does anyone know why he did not play?
flo-ri-duh
September 30th, 2012
10:48 pm
Run defense has been the most disappointing part of this years team. They were manhandled up front by Tennessee.
Gus Walter Hank Jr.
September 30th, 2012
11:09 pm
What does Georgia’a “GATA” term mean?
Pazian
September 30th, 2012
11:14 pm
@Gus
GATA = Get After That A**
JRW7
September 30th, 2012
11:31 pm
Enter your comments here
JRW7
September 30th, 2012
11:33 pm
Don’t worry about who CORSO picks, he’s been wrong all year, GO DAWGS!!!
Loganville Dawg
September 30th, 2012
11:34 pm
Dawg Fans, we keep saying SC hasn’t faced an offense like ours. We haven’t faced a defense like theirs. This will be another close game. Neither team has dominated the other over the last few years. It’s not about talent, we have talent, they have talent. They are not ranked #6 by accident.
Loganville Dawg
September 30th, 2012
11:36 pm
@Avery “UGA is playing at a National Championship calibre, don’t know why they’re ranked #5, when Auburn was ranekd #1 in 2010 and put up worse numbers on BOTH sides of the ball.” Letting TN come back on us was not championship caliber.
UGA89
September 30th, 2012
11:58 pm
RedandBlack…
I agree. I don’t like College Gameday anywhere near UGA but their in S. Carolina so hopefully it won’t affect our team. I’m actually surprised their coming especially since they dislike the Dawgs so much.
DogDoc
October 1st, 2012
12:29 am
Fans on this blog know it. 91,000 spectators know it. But Coach Richt doesn’t know it: Fourth quarter center plunges lose games. Can any of our very bright bloggers come up with some kind of plan which will penetrate Richt’s uncomprehending skull and unseeing eyes with reference to the futility of fourth quarter center plunges?
Blue Ridge Dawg
October 1st, 2012
1:00 am
Here’s the deal bloggers… UGA is 5-0… We had som major melt downs on ST…. BUT.. If we dont have turnovers.. actually we can have 1 against SC and we WILL win the game. by 3.. by 7??… UGA WILL win!! We are head and shoulders beyond that bunch…
GO DAWGS!!!!!
TGT
October 1st, 2012
1:10 am
It all comes down to turnovers and special teams. Georgia’s defense will need to score at least one TD and special teams may need to score one as well. South Carolina is a formidable opponent, and it should be an absolute war on Saturday. May the best team prevail! Go Dogs!
dbc
October 1st, 2012
2:28 am
No predictions from me except this: If Mark Richt can’t beat SC with this team and this much talent, he’ll never take the DAWGS further. Chastise me and leave me for dead, but if CMR can’t do it with this team and these athletes, he will never take them further. There, it was good to get that off my chest. And before all you “get off the bus” rubes chime in, I’ve been a rabid and loyal fan since “71. I really don’t care at this point. It’s put up or shut up time for Richt, Bobo, Murray, Grantham and the entire UGA D. I do have a life outside of UGA football, but it would be nice to see them break through and reach their potential just once.
dbc
October 1st, 2012
2:36 am
And Tampa, I have never really chatted with you, but if UGA wins, the Florida game will be epic. And I don’t feel good about that either. I live in Arizona, and my neighbor’s son plays on the same Pop Warner team as my son — and his Dad, (the Coach) is a Florida guy. I can’t win… He’s actually a great guy and I’ll enjoy watching the game with him… Funny stuff, but I like the way the SEC East is coming back this year. Once Tenn. recovers, the West is done with their “cycle.”
Lagdawg
October 1st, 2012
3:06 am
If UGA plays like they did against Tenn. from the second Qtr on, it will be a long game. If the offense plays like they did against Vanderbilt, UGA will win. Bobo cannot afford to get conservative in the games the rest of the season. If the offense is clicking, then score. Stop with all the back to back running plays. Too predictable. The D has to play better for the rest of the season. Giving up too many big plays and can’t seem to stop the run and if everybody remembers, Spurrier is an offensive genius. He knows how to break down a defense and to create mismatches.
wdt00
October 1st, 2012
3:36 am
USC has a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, you may want to look at the roster, They are deep all over. SOS also has been holding back a few things. Its going to be a good Game.
Resident Georgia Fan
October 1st, 2012
4:01 am
Dogs light up William-Bryce!
Gurshel Marshley
October 1st, 2012
5:57 am
I cant wait till some fine GA Hotties get together and form the “Gurley-Gurls” group. I like that better than the “Gurley-Man” signage shown the other nite…just sayin! GO DAWGS!!
Marley Gurshall
October 1st, 2012
6:03 am
Ok…this name is phonetically correct….and kewl to boot! Thanks for the idea whoever came up with “Gurshall”.. someone smarter than me will probably profit from it in some way but oh well….- GO DAWGS!!!
Cal22
October 1st, 2012
6:16 am
You Georgie fans sher are good wit yer math. Yer stats are bout as good as it gits. Cept one thing… you haven’t played a good team yet (as there are so few on your schedule), and the only average team you played took it to the wire. Only Georgie fans would see Saturday’s game as a victory. It told the rest of us that hype and drivel still flow from Athens, as it has for the last 30 years.
Here’s a question for ye, what do all Georgie fans collectively have, besides a full set of original teeth??? Give up? Why of course you do.
No idea of how bad they actually are.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
October 1st, 2012
6:44 am
The SC QB is very mobile and also accurate. He will pose problems for the Dawgs all day. I’m not too worried about our offense playing conservative. We were forced to be conservative a number of times being backed up on our 1 yd line. From the 20 and beyond I haven’t seen us playing conservative. We got to run block and make some hole’s for the backs to hit. This won’t be an easy task. I look for UGA to try to grind it out on the ground for the most part to quiet the crowd and throw in a couple big plays to boot. Defence better show up ready to play and I think after being embarassed by UT they will have a chip on their shoulders. It’s gonna be a good one boys!. But I’m not confident enough to predict an outcome. I don’t think any SC fan is confident either.
fan
October 1st, 2012
6:48 am
SC hates Corso, Ga. hates Corso. He is usually wrong. why is he around?
See Rock City
October 1st, 2012
7:09 am
I am pulling for UGA here as I had diarrhea and missed most of my T-times last weekend on Hilton Head after eating in a local SC fan spot restaurant the night before we arrived….
Sic em Russ!
JB
October 1st, 2012
7:20 am
I’m not a coach, just a fan but it appears our weakness for not stopping the run ( and we haven’t) is our lust for getting sacks, thus not following assignment football to stop the run. Just my 2 cents, but Tenn sure was successful running the ball on our great defense. I hope Grantham noticed it also.
old dog
October 1st, 2012
7:23 am
To Hell with Tek, today,tomorrow and every other day!
old dog
October 1st, 2012
7:27 am
Actually Pazian, when Erk penned it, it was Get After Their Ass.
Dawgbreath
October 1st, 2012
7:42 am
We said the same stuff on these blogs last two years. Not sure we can beat them @USC. Shaw is going to be a problem.
Old Dog Class of 80
October 1st, 2012
7:46 am
“Go Dawgs! I want to see three visor throws before halftime.”
By Richt. Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t get emotional.
AlanFalcon
October 1st, 2012
7:46 am
Sir Big Spur and the team will rule and the new puppy will leave Columbia with his tail between his legs which is quite a feat for a Bull Dog !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Dog Class of 80
October 1st, 2012
7:50 am
“UGA is playing at a National Championship calibre, don’t know why they’re ranked #5, when Auburn was ranekd #1 in 2010 and put up worse numbers on BOTH sides of the ball.”
How many turnovers did Cam Newton make?
Knute Rockny
October 1st, 2012
7:52 am
The Ol’ Ball Coach has never had any good things to say about the Dawgs.
He knows this team is mature and disciplined, and he is SKEARED to death.
The Dawgs by 3 in Columbia.
Knute
John McEachern
October 1st, 2012
7:55 am
Not concerned about Lattimore. Concerned about C Shaw running for 3rd down conversions, Murray getting the passes thru the lanes against their two ends and our running the ball on third downs where needed. Theus will have to play lights out. He will be challenged!
georgiadawg70
October 1st, 2012
7:58 am
There is serious problems with the defense and has been all year long. If Grantham can’t fix it fast it’s going to be a long Saturday night. Hey Paul. Love St Auggy. Spend every Dec. in Cresent Beach. Right down the beach from the Ole A-Hole Ball Coach’s house.
Sleepless in Greenville
October 1st, 2012
8:04 am
South Carolina 45, Georgia 34
The Evil Genius takes Three in a row over the hapless dawgs, a clear triumph of good over mediocre.
How much longer will the leghumpers continue to suffer under the 3rd rate coaching of Richt, Bozo, and Grantham?
JB
October 1st, 2012
8:07 am
Sleepless……….If you think this Dawg team is ” hapless”……. you have a surprise coming. SC has beat no one……and looked piss poor against Vandy…..and had to have a wake up call to beat the worst Kentucky team in modern era. I like our “chances”……
Columbus Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:10 am
I for one ain’t losing any SLEEP, Greenville, and I do think the Dawgs win. However, if Richt loses this game the temperature of his seat wil be “Turnt all da way up”!!!!!
JB
October 1st, 2012
8:17 am
Two Dawgs I’m worried about being over sold and Hyped. TE Rome and DE Drew……Although to be fair, Drew has 6 or 7 NFL draft choices playing in front of him.. Thoughts?
JB
October 1st, 2012
8:19 am
Columbus Dawg….you are so right. Richt has not won a big hyped ball game against a top 10 team in 3 or 4 years. He seems to coach ” tight” the last 3-4 years for some reason. He certainly has a big chance to get the monkey off his back this week.
JB
October 1st, 2012
8:21 am
Hope Saturday doesn’t come down to an extra point. What has always been a gimmie for the Dawgs, is a hold your breath moment now.
Ghruten
October 1st, 2012
8:22 am
Rantavious Wooten wilted when it counted most.
Ghruten
October 1st, 2012
8:22 am
But, he wasn’t the only one, just the last one.
DAWGRX
October 1st, 2012
8:47 am
This will be a war and for sure USC’s defense is better than our defense, but UGA’s offense is better than USV’s offense. The trick card will be the UGA line holding their blocks and whether we can corral Shaw from running on third down. Latimore will get his yards, Gurley and Marshall will get their yards. Mistakes, turnovers and penalties…..oh he!!….EVERYTHING comes into play in this game. Nothing can be overlooked. UGA’s offense against their defense. I can see this thing going either way. If our offense can’t find a way to get some first downs in the fourth quarter…THAT may be our Achilles heel. That frustrated me so much in the TN game.
DIT
October 1st, 2012
8:47 am
For the people thinking just because UK was up on SC at half time means that UGA will score much more are crazy. Do y’all really think with the weak team that UK has that in the 1st half they were totally in the game? It was easy to look past them to the following week.
Their coaches got onto them and shut them out during the 2nd half. Our Dawgs are going to half to play with the vigot they did against Vandy if they stand a chance. Latimore is licking his chops right now. I still can’t believe how easy it was for UT to run up the middle on us. Spurrier will be doing that all day until out D can stop them.
And, I just hope that this game does not come down to special teams. Not feeling real good about this game right now. I hope that changes as we get closer to game time.
DAWGRX
October 1st, 2012
8:49 am
@Ghruten…YES!! The dropped pass by Wooten was almost a back breaker. He has GOT to catch that ball this Saturday!
Mark
October 1st, 2012
8:52 am
This is simple. Protect the ball. We win. Go Dawgs.