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
ISAIAH WHO?????
October 1st, 2012
9:02 am
CAN WAIT FOR THOSE VISOR THROWS!!!!!!!!
SO FREAKING HILARIOUS!!!!
What happens to the rest
October 1st, 2012
9:04 am
If UGA can learn to wrap up a tackle, the D will be as good as advertised. Enough of this shoulder and arm tackling. Stick somebody!
Wild Dog`
October 1st, 2012
9:06 am
greeville cock and fire You are sick go back and read your blog. If you mean what you say you are a sad and sick person.
Eutaw Kid
October 1st, 2012
9:09 am
You must not remember Lattimore getting over 200 yards on you or the great fake punt return or Clowney dominating your offensive line last year!!! Losers blame losses on their mistakes or what they claim as a bad call, not the other team that is better! GO COCKS, KICK ASS!!
Chicken Fever
October 1st, 2012
9:14 am
Clowney and Taylor are gonna have their way with Murray like an old whore! Cocks Rock and Roll the Dawgs in this one boys! You all can stop dreaming now.
Matthew
October 1st, 2012
9:22 am
I said it about Tennessee and I’ve said it about South Carolina, don’t count them out! Especially the Gamecocks! Our bulldogs maybe getting better and stronger, but come off last Saturday’s defensive flop and an offense that didn’t seem to have their head on tight until the second half, more importantly the 4th quarter, it’s gonna be a tough day for Team Red & Black at William Bryce Stadium! It’s a hostile environment and to add to the drama and heat, ESPN Gameday will be on location, so the entire nation will be watching this game! It’s important for our Georgia team to win this, going into South Carolina 5th ranked in the nation and undefeated 5-0(3-0 SEC) vs the 6th ranked in the nation also 5-0(3-0 SEC) someone will walk away with an L for the first time, someone will walk away with the East almost clinched. Let’s not forget about the LSU/Florida game either , Florida needs to win this game also to take the top of the SEC East or tie for 1st. These two games are the biggest games for week 6. Scenario: If Georgia upsets South Carolina and Florida upsets LSU then the Cocktail party in Jacksonville will be even more crucial for Georgia to win. 2012 has proved to be an interesting season for the underdog side of the SEC! Who said the east is weak? East has the big 3 this year! Georgia has to want this and more importantly they need to win this! In order for Georgia to remain SEC champion hopefuls with National Title shot, they must remain undefeated the rest of regular season and beat the SEC west team, which more than likely will be Alabama. Realistically, probably not going to happen, idealy though i can very well be the year of the Dawgs! Go Dawgs Sic’em woof woof woof! Beat South Carolina!
Wild Dog`
October 1st, 2012
9:22 am
Greenville cock and fire–
I hope that all South Carilonian are not. like you. You are a sad person to be a turncoat as you say you are. By the way– you haven’t seen much have you.
Dawg Fud
October 1st, 2012
9:25 am
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.”
Um, we have never done this. It has been a consistent problem since 2001. At least he recognizes it. That’s the first step to solving the problem.
Gator Mike
October 1st, 2012
9:26 am
Good luck to the Dawgs this week. I want to see UGA beat SoCar. Hopefully both UF and UGA will be undefeated when we meet in Jax this year. Both teams have a way to go, but tha would be an epic matchup under those circumstances. If that happens, regardless of what the political correctness jokers say, “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” will be back for everyone to see.
graphite
October 1st, 2012
9:31 am
@JB….You compare SC_GA game to LSU_AL???….You could put the two together and not beat either LSU OR AL……RollOn
Craig
October 1st, 2012
9:43 am
Well this is it……Time for Murray, CMR and Bobo to show the world this team and things at UGA are different. If we have turnovers like last week – we lose. Last week looked a whole lot like SC game last year. It tells me Murray still has his habit of giving points away when we play decent teams. We will see after Sat. My guy tells me Murray gives points and the D cant stop Latimore (they didnt last year either)……Carolina 24 UGA 14…….after this last week, I just dont have faith in Murray or our D to stop the run
nobody
October 1st, 2012
9:44 am
You can bet the farm that those gigantic S.C. defensive ends and LBs will bring the house against our QB because he has a very worrisome and troublesome hx of being very loose with the football in the face of a fierce rush….
Blue
October 1st, 2012
9:47 am
JB…if you are still on here…I think the reason the QB holds the ball with two hands, extended away from his body when he is then handing it off, is that this is what guys typically do on a play action pass. So I think he is trying to initially “sell” that it is a play action pass, then handing it off.
glory between the hedges
October 1st, 2012
10:01 am
Nobody, You can bet UGA knows this and will set some RB Screens for Gurshall to offset it. It is almost unreal to have two true freshmen that good. With that said, they are only freshmen and will have to handle a decent environment and not fumble the football. Turnovers are the only way SC has a chance to beat us. Last year they were better to me and we should of beat them by 3 tds. Alshon Jeffries is who worried me last year. He is gone now so just stop Lattimore and spy Shaw.
Alphare
October 1st, 2012
10:11 am
Well, it seems most dawgie fans are from confident to arrogant.
1. Does Vegas bet on SC with a reason?
2. SC hasn’t lost an East game for 2 years
3. Dawgies haven’t beaten a top 25 team in 3 years
Why cannot you guys be wise like me, believe it when you see it?
Chicken Fever
October 1st, 2012
10:14 am
You GA fans have a bunch of candy canes going thru your little dawg heads. SC is the better team here. Our defense is going to prove to be too much for GA and Aaron Murray. On the offense Shaw and Lattihorse will continue to run it down your throats just as TN did last weekend. Like I said in my earlier post, you all can STOP dreaming now! GO COCKS!
Vampire Bill
October 1st, 2012
10:14 am
Don’t over play Gurley. Use all the running backs and keep everyone fresh and injury free.
docdawg
October 1st, 2012
10:18 am
Interesting game last Sat, D way too slow looked lethargic and a step late much of the game. Nice to see Ogletree and Rambo back but they were rusty. 1 game under belt for carolina a plus no doubt. Lattimore smart, a load and stats don`t tell the story there. UT hit TG low in 2nd half, couldn`t tackle him otherwise unless loaded front box late in game. That`s how most defenders must approach Lattimore as well. o line provided good protection the majority of game, Murray could have bailed and avoided that sack, he saw LB coming, but overall fine day for him, Wooten couple drops costly. SC at home tough but very beatable but GA has to focus and avoid foolish plays like Mitchell and TG on kick coverage. Must play smart for 60 minutes if so will win. Jarvis should cause problems but Dline must improve over effort from UT,
Alabama Dog
October 1st, 2012
10:22 am
Georgia loses, IF Murray is a turnover machine again, like he was Saturday, and agianst SC last year! Murray has the talent, there’s no doubt about that. THIS is the game that will define him probably forever as a Georgia QB. He may not ever play in a game with such huge ramifications, and so much riding on it’s outcome for this point in his career, and this season. Aaron Murray, it’s time to man up & be the QB we all believe you can be. GO DAWGS!!!!!
UGA Insider
October 1st, 2012
10:26 am
Spurrier is licking his chops to play against our special teams. That is why we aren’t favored in this game and that is fine.
Here are the facts as I predicted last summer. However homers like Altamaha Dawgs don’t like facts.
1.) Freshman PC. Missing way too many extra points but field goals are good. I close my eyes every time we kick an EP.
2.) Punts- freshman nerves. Cannot kick the ball inside the 25. Even when we have the ball on the 50. USCe is going to pressure him immensley Saturday.
3.) Punt return team. We obviously have no one who has been coached on what to do. Do I catch the punt? Do I fair catch? or do I let the ball hit on our 20 and roll down to our 1? We look lost and CMR should be embarrassed.
4.) Kickoff team. Can you tell me that there is not one person who attends UGA that can kick the damn ball in the endzone? Terrible. USCe is some dangerous returners.
5.) Kick Return team- Get Gurley off that immediately. Not only was there a bad mental error but it’s just not a good idea.
Tenn was allowed to stay in the game by special teams last Saturday and I hope it doesn’t get us beat this Saturday.
I stand by what i said this summer… UGA has the worst ST unit in the country.
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
October 1st, 2012
10:27 am
If Richt Looses this game. I HOPE HE IS FIRED IMMEDIATELY…This will be the offense and defense TALE OF THE TAPE.. MAN UP..With the soft O-Line we have it may just be a long day.. Better jump on them early and hope to hold on. You see how they can screw up a game (Tennessee). Need I say More.
UGA Insider
October 1st, 2012
10:31 am
Tenn was allowed back in the game by us letting a punt roll down to our 6 inch line and by us returning a kickoff to our 1. That was what happened. Special Teams mistakes. The team looks clueless there. UGA does not practice situational ST and you can tell.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
10:36 am
Somebody needs to slip a Valium in Murray’s water bottle before the game, cause you know he will be amped up.
Do we not have somebody on this team who can make good decisions when fielding punts and KOs? I can’t remember any team with so many mistakes in this area for this long. Man, I love Malcolm Mitchell, but he ain’t the guy for this job.
I hope Grantham figures out how to pressure the QB again, because we sucked at that vs UT. You better believe SOS will be trying that same tactic.
RxDawg
October 1st, 2012
10:40 am
“I think Theus is going to have a very challenging time stopping Taylor at DE….he better get some help…and that would take a TE out of the passing game.”
I think your exactly right Tampa. That could be a big problem, and I’m thinking it’s going to be Theus/Lynch double team all night long.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
10:40 am
“Defense wins Championships! Just ask Bama.”
************************************
Actually, you just have to outscore you opponent in each game.
Just ask Auburn ‘10.
reebok
October 1st, 2012
10:41 am
Big big game. This Tech fan is looking forward to watching…good luck!
General Mills
October 1st, 2012
10:46 am
Chicken Little,(oops ) I mean Chicken fever, you sound like this old retired boat capt. I know.Delusional. uSCe hasnt beat UGA 3 years in a row ever.Don’t count on it happening now.The old whore you’re talking about is probably your sister or old girlfriend which is probably one in the same.Hope your fever goes down before kickoff because afterwards you gonna need some acid reflux meds from all that crow.HBTD > Woodchucks sux
Joey
October 1st, 2012
10:46 am
Damn. A techie on here reminding who we have and have not beaten.
Alphare, do need a reminder of who your team has lost to lately?
Y’all suck!
dawgfan
October 1st, 2012
10:47 am
Since Georgia has taken so much flak for its schedule I think its only appropriate that we review South Carolina’s first 5 games of the season:
@Vandy
East Carolina
UAB
Missouri
@Kentucky
A real murderer’s row there for sure. Do we really know how good this South Carolina team is? Georgia Tech could probably be 5-0 on that schedule.
UGA Insider
October 1st, 2012
10:51 am
dawgfan, Great point! I was thinking about the USCe schedule the other day myself. Let’s add up their opponents win/loss record. I bet it is terrible.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Dang Insider – you still tweaking AltamahaDawg? You must enjoy being humiliated.
How many predictions you gonna make this week?
Three – like last week?
Insider my ass . . .
Alphare
October 1st, 2012
10:53 am
Tech sux. But they are a good match to most GA high school teams, though.
One thing I learned about UGA football, when you think they are world beater, they crumple like a pile of domino. Remember 08? or last year against LSU? So I learned my lesson predicting dawg wins.
But some dawg fans haven’t learned their lesson.
Alphare
October 1st, 2012
10:58 am
Talent-wise, dawgs can beat Boise State, Colorado, Arizona State, just saying…
dawgfan
October 1st, 2012
11:01 am
“Let’s add up their opponents win/loss record. I bet it is terrible.”
8-15.
I remember in the Vandy game the announcers remarked that their defense looked like they were sucking a little bit of wind in the second half. This is the first game of the year against Vandy and they are sucking wind? I dunno. That doesnt’ sound that great to me.
Anyway, we’ve got our own problems to worry about for sure. Defense, turnover, etc. Just thought I would throw all that out there. I’m sure the way people will talk about this game you would think we were playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Thanks.
I bought my UGA gear at WalMart
October 1st, 2012
11:09 am
Richt had better find someone who won’t screw up kick returns and someone to kick extra points or it’s gonna cost them a game before the season’s up. It almost did Saturday.
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
October 1st, 2012
11:11 am
I have a good feeling about this week and think the Dawgs come outta Columbia with a win.
As vulnerable as the D seemed against TN, Carolina doesn’t have near the offense that UT has. UT has a terrific O-line that was able to contain our pass rush and open up running lanes, whereas I think Carolina’s line is a little suspect. Carolina also doesn’t have receivers that are anywhere near as good as Patterson and Hunter. So I think the D will focus on clamping down on Lattimore and Shaw’s zone read like they did against Mizzou. You could also tell there was a little rust on Ogletree and Rambo. Either way, Grantham will run them all ragged this week in prep.
On the offensive side of the ball, what can you say? Except for that bonkers end to the 2nd quarter against TN, we’re pretty much running on all cylinders. Remember, we put 40+ points on Carolina last year, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t do the same this year.
Do I expect a blowout? No way, but I do think Georgia comes out on top by about 4-7 points.
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
11:11 am
I’m just happy we are undefeated and playing the number 6 team in the country this weekend. Look, we don’t know how well either team will play. They both have a lot of talent, and both are very well coached. SC has the home field. I think one mistake some are making is counting our D out of the picture. These guys proved they can play well last year. I think they will continue to improve. Bray made some amazing throws. There were several that Ogeltree was inches away from. As he sharpens, and you get QBs that don’t throw lasers, he gets some picks I think. CTG does adjust well, too. TN did some fancy stuff to neutralize Jones, so hopefully CTG can learn a few new tricks. SC has a great defensive line. Believe it or not, we could have a defensive match. Bottom line is that anything is possible on this game. I would hate to bet on it. We have to wait till Saturday night. I do like this team’s character a lot. Go Dawgs.
Atlantasaurus
October 1st, 2012
11:21 am
As a UGA fan, I am getting extremely tired of fair weather UGA fans complaining about Bobo’s play calling. Since Bobo took the helm as OC, UGA has consistently had one of the best offenses in the SEC.
At some point, you have to support your team and coaches. Not every play is going to result in a first down.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
11:22 am
Where are the UGA fans saying we are “world beaters” on here, Alphare?
Arizona St?
And ‘08 has as little to do with this team as your ‘08 Tech team has to do with this year’s Tech team.
UGA Insider
October 1st, 2012
11:22 am
Joey,
This one is for you on Monday…
UGA 39
USCe- 28
Book it.
joe jenkins
October 1st, 2012
11:24 am
I think we should move corn back too OLB…replace him with garrison smith. Start commings and swann and corner…put branden smith at 3rd string behind malcom mitchell. I don’t know who is the worst devin bowman or b smith…Our back up corners are just not very talented or just not ready…the dawson kid jhc i think are just not ready. I hope we can win in crack town…but i just don’t see it. i hope im wrong…because i hate the chickens worse than any football team i the world.
HairyDawg73
October 1st, 2012
11:26 am
I am a time-traveler. I have been to the future and know who wins. Lucky me.
azdawg
October 1st, 2012
11:34 am
Biggest test yet for the dawgs D and their O. If GA is to win the Gurshell twins have to get over 100 yds each and the D hold Lattimore, et al, to under 100 yds. Cannot allow SC special teams to break the long punts or KO returns. Murray can’t fumble or allow a pick. Last year it cost GA the game. This young Offensive line can prove their greatness if they can open the running lanes and keep SC book ends off Murray long enuf to complete passes to these sure handed GA receivers. The D simply must have the best game of ther season thus far. With few exceptions, They have not looked as advertised. Getting gashed and giving up lots of yards to TN w/limited sacks vs TN can’t work against SC. Thery really have to play lights out for GA to have any chance in winning this game. Allow Spurrier to get the upper hand and its all over.
General Mills
October 1st, 2012
11:36 am
Defense wins Championships. So how many have you won?
tell me again
October 1st, 2012
11:40 am
If Murray protects the ball. We win.
USC True To Thee
October 1st, 2012
11:40 am
Neither team has played a ranked team, so it will be interesting to see how each team maps out. SC needs to watch the helmet pulls and general penalties. Murray may be a great qb in your world, but I see a lot of incomplete passes. TN almost won. KY surprised us first half. Weaknesses were exposed for both teams. This is a good thing going into the BIG game this weekend. The Willie B will be rocking and not be kind to the dawgs. It’s gonna be Carolina all night! Our boys need to play their best game yet, play clean and win anyway. Dawgs limp home, Cocks 24 – dawgs 20. Btw, jawga bloggers, where did you learn to write? Bad grammar and punctuation on the blog…proofread your work
GO COCKS!
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
11:42 am
Defense wins, I don’t think people were saying SC has a weak schedule this year, just that it hasn’t been any harder (if as hard) as Georgia’s so far. Consequently, we don’t really know how good SC is this year. And, yes, there are several teams that face tougher opponents. To name just one, TN has UF, Akron, UGA, Miss ST., Alabama, SC! Your schedule is a walk in the park compared to Dooley’s.
UGA Insider
October 1st, 2012
11:44 am
Defense wins Championships,
If you are an USCe fan what do you know about championships? I guess from baseball.
Also, do not talk about scheduling. Your first 5 opponents have a combined win total of 8! You play 3 tough games and that is it. Stop crying. Why are you not upset your not playing Auburn? They kicked your azz last year and we beat them 45-7.
David Granger
October 1st, 2012
11:55 am
Good! Going into the game as the underdog is the best thing that could happen for us. When we’re favored, too many people…both fans and players…actually start BELIEVING it makes a difference. Let’s go into the game with a little chip on our shoulder…
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
11:58 am
USC true to thee writes, “bad grammar and punctuation…proofread your work.” And, “Cocks 24-dawgs 20.” First, you really should have capitalized Dawgs; and second, you are obviously a dreamer who writes fiction for a living! Naturally a novelist will have better syntax than the masses over in Georgia! Go Dawgs.