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
DAWGRX
October 1st, 2012
12:01 pm
All I have to say is that we had better be playing lights out on both sides of the ball. In fact BOTH teams will need to play lights out if they want to win. Both teams have tons of talent and different strengths. It’s going to be a slugfest and I don’t expect there to be a blowout. I would think somewhere in the neighborhood of 35-31….only I don’t know which one will have the 35. GO DAWGS!
Joey
October 1st, 2012
12:03 pm
“Murray may be a great qb in your world, but I see a lot of incomplete passes.”
*************************************
Yeah, he’s only the 3rd ranked QB in the NCAA. Not great at all . . .
jalex49
October 1st, 2012
12:03 pm
Georgia better be prepared or they will lose. I also wonder why Murray holds the ball so high when handing off to the backs? He should take a page from Stafford and be more creative.
The defense is just not playing up to their expectations and need to come together or Shaw and Lattimore will run wild. Theus and the offensive line will need help on the ends.
Georgia needs to stay focus, be prepared and calculated in the execution and protect the ball to win.
I like Georgia chances unlike all the college experts and don’t be surprise if the hat dawn by the “Gameday crew” is South Carolina! Ignore it and play georgia ball and everything will be ok.
Please Georgia play lights out! Somebody has to step up and get to Conner and Lattimore! What happened to T.J.Stripling?
Abry Jones has got to step up more than he has. He is a force when he wants to be. This team has the potential to one of the best every at Georgia and have an outstanding season! They bring the perception the media and experts have of them and it will not change until they prove they are for real and live up tp or exceeds expectations.
P B
October 1st, 2012
12:05 pm
Ray drew has done
Absolutely nothing. Garrison smith gets pushed 5 yards down the field every run play. Time to show up!
DK Rodgers
October 1st, 2012
12:19 pm
GO GAMECOCKS! I attended with a good friend of mine, the Georgia/Tennessee game. Congrads to Georgia for the win, we had a good time. I believe both our teams are very good, regardless of who wins i hope the East will beat the West in the SEC this year! Sick of hearing the east is no good and its all about Alabama, and LSU. Its been a hundred years as a South Carolina Fan that we have a chance of doing something special, and we are long overdue. We have been a doormat for the SEC for too long. It feels good when you are considered as a top team in the country, and teams do not want to play you.
Cockyx3
October 1st, 2012
12:19 pm
This should be an awesome game! Good luck dawgs, but I hope my gamecocks can hand you a loss!
Joey
October 1st, 2012
12:29 pm
How about the Vandy “comparison” of this month, RE:? 4-point win (SC) and 45-point win (UGA)?
Oh that doesn’t suit your meme, huh?
The truth is it will only matter how SC and UGA match up, and it especially won’t matter what happened 3 or 4 years ago . . .
munsondawg
October 1st, 2012
12:30 pm
@ RE: UGA Insider.
When is the last time your team won an SEC championship?? Just curious.
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
12:41 pm
Uh-oh, Joey, he is sounding like a hater who couldn’t find the Willeb without a guide. BTW, Georgia beat two ranked opponents last year.
Italian_29
October 1st, 2012
12:43 pm
DK Roger and Cockyx3, thanks guys for some classy comments. Best of luck to you guys too, except I am hoping for a different outcome. We are going to find out if either of our teams are for real on Saturday, given that up til now, we have played a similar schedule. Go Dawgs! GATA!
Fair n Balanced
October 1st, 2012
12:44 pm
Ga needs to play well on both sides of the ball in 4th qtr. offense barely got a first down in 4th vs TN. Defense didn’t do much til 4th qtr. if both sides step up for 4 qtrs we can win vs SC. Defense has been a disappointment this yr and it shouldn’t be.
7576DAWG
October 1st, 2012
12:44 pm
Having a balanced offense is important to Richt and Bobo. I agree. The main purpose is so your opponent will not bring their Linebackers and corners into the middle and completely shut down the run. We are going on two years now that everybody at Georgia and on the other team knows that if Georgia is leading after 3 quarters all you have to do is bring your Corner and Linebackers into the middle , bunch things up , and you will stop Georgia because chances are they will run on first and second . Stop that cold then move the corners back out and blitz the Linebackers. There is a reason why we are having 3 and out’s so much in the fourth quarter for two years now.
I can’t stand how stubborn Richt and Bobo are concerning this fact. If they would play the same ball game as they do the other 3 quarters the clock and score will take care of itself.
UA Grad
October 1st, 2012
12:47 pm
I think Ga wins a close one. SC drops 3 out of the next 4 games.
Derek Dooley's Orange Pants
October 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
SC fans better enjoy the pre-game hype because Gamecocks will not win against Georgia.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
12:55 pm
Nice, Cockyx3.
It should be a slobberknocker, especially when our O and your D are gettin after it.
JDBCOCK
October 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
I can honestly say I have no idea how this game will go. I do have a few comments:
Lattimore is not 100% but he is getting better each week. His production is lower because we have had mostly lopsided games. Last year he carried 40 times or so against Navy due to a close game. Only getiing about 20 touches and he is not that break away threat as much as your guys.
I do think as usual whoever controls the game with the run will likely win as that would mean if the team got a lead they can grind out the clock. More important for us to do that as we don’t have an explosive passing game.
Our special teams scare me but I think Georgia have concerns as well. We do have some returners but like last year special teams could help decide it.
I have no idea how our DB’s will perform and that is a concern but I can tell you they don’t have to cover for long as there is no better pass rushing team in the country than ours. Clowney is a once in a lifetime lineman for us and several more will play at the next level. You will not see a faster first step.
As Georgia fans know our history South Carolina hasn’t had many good years in football and for me I am enjoying the moment as it can disappear easily. I will also say that 10 years ago if you told me that one day Georgia fans would explain a lackluster performance against Tennessee a result of looking ahead to USC, I would have felt obligated to take you in to the doctor for a checkup. And for that reason I am going to enjoy every bit of success we have.
The game may dissapoint but the buildup this week has never been bigger.
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
7576, I was pleased to see that CMR did comment on that problem after the game. Here is what I think. I think players can read their coaches like kids can read their parents. And somehow, our staff communicates that we are pulling the foot off of the pedal on O. It could be as simple as what you described–1st and 2nd down runs up the gut. I think they have to communicate a willingness to keep the foot on the gas to keep 8-9 guys out of the box. They could run reverses, high percentage quick throws, a number of innovations to take advantage of the other team loading the box.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
12:59 pm
RE:,
If you read my post, my point is wouldn’t what happened 3 weeks ago matter a little more than ‘11, ‘10?
And even 3 weeks ago doesn’t matter. Even head to head in the same season doesn’t matter – see LSU vs Bama last year.
SC very well may win Saturday, but it won’t have a think to do with last year, nor how many ranked teams we have beaten lately . . .
Chip Towers
October 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
RE: Joey: I’ll answer. The last time Georgia beat a ranked opponent was twice last year. They haven’t played a ranked opponent this season. They’ve beaten ranked opponents 30 times under coach Mark Richt.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
Minus that, we’re in the same boat…believe it or not.”
******************************************
Um……”same boat” – minus the 12 SEC Titles.
SEC BOYZ
October 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
My thing is why ppl think SC is that good.. We both played a similar schedule the first 4-5 games .. They struggled with vandy which when we r focus like that we kill damn it … The difference why we r betta is bc we r balance & far as defense goes we r totally betta than them
They have clowney & Taylor.. But where is there secondary swearinger.. That’s it !! We have all Americans & a bunch of first rounders really?? Your QB is unproven & your offensive line is a joke..
Georgia will big bc of the offense..
CHDawg
October 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
Dearest Hater, but that isn’t what you said! Auburn was #20 when we crushed them, and GT was #23. So, UGA has beaten ranked teams recently. Get a life. Everybody knows you aren’t a Gamecock fan outside of this week. It doesn’t matter, anyway. College talent changes dramatically every year. GT lost to MTSU this week! Anything can happen. UGA is ranked 5, and Murray is at the top of the charts right now, so your comments reflect nothing but your obsession.
Derek Dooley's Orange Pants
October 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Now Joey,
Take it easy on RE:. He probably has small pee-pee syndrome…LOL!!!!!!!!
Italian_29
October 1st, 2012
1:11 pm
JDBCOCK, it is nice to see that there are reasonable fans on both sides of this rivalry, you DK Rodgers, and Cockyx3 are fans that reflect well on your team. I know there are some rabid Dawg fans that talk cram, but they aren’t the majority and they don’t represent all of us. It is going to be a good game, I am hoping for a Dawg victory, as I am sure you are hoping for the opposite, but it will be a good game and the winner, along with Fl, needs to stop the West’s dominance and squash all the, “the East is weak” talk. Go Dawgs and GATA!
Italian_29
October 1st, 2012
1:12 pm
Crap, not cram, stupid auto fill.
gwh
October 1st, 2012
1:17 pm
this is the week of coaching, if ga. plays USC this week, they should win. SHOULD!!!!!!!!!!!! but, if the old fox spurrier has anything to say…watchout. Spurrier is the king of tricks and picks…… look for it.
If there is not plan in place to win by the coaching staff at Ga., they will lose. USC has an abundance of talent and fortituded..this is a great match. There are chinks in USC’s armor which U of Ga better take advantage of. This week against Tenn. Ga. showed its weaknesses and allowed to other team to take advantage….it was glaring. If Ga repeats this same mistake then the outcome in the game is certain…Ga. loses.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
1:24 pm
Enter your comments here
Joey
October 1st, 2012
1:33 pm
Oh I am, Orange Pants. Imagine that – “we’re in the same boat” with SC.
It almost makes you feel sorry for the doofus.
UGA was winning 9 and 10 games with 10-game schedules, SEC Titles, Orange, Rose, Sugar, Cotton Bowls from the 40’s into the 2000’s. SC finally won more than 9 games . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . last year. And still didn’t win the East.
Boat wise – SC is a john boat, UGA is a Ranger Bass Boat.
Joey
October 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
Chip (1:02), you may have hurt that rooster’s feelings – he obviously didn’t expect any actual facts to to spoil his theme . . .
john
October 1st, 2012
1:51 pm
PLAY CALLING SECOND HALF WAS A JOKE
WE NEED A KNOCKOUT PUNCH AND WITH BOO BOO IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
IS THERE A HIHGSCHOOL TEAM IN IDAHO LOOKING FOR A HEADCOACH.
PLEASE CALL BOO BOO. RUN THE DRAW TEN STRAIGHT TIMES.
lynnb
October 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
dont understand why the band isnt coming We need them
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:31 pm
Georgia will dominate this game…not even close. SC has not faced anyone like GA yet. UGA has a great team balance this year.
Hear it hear first….GEORGIA WILL ROLL OVER SC, FLORIDA AND ALABAMA….I GUARENTEE IT.
THERE IS NO WAY GEORGIA CAN LOSE A GAME THIS YEAR. NO WAY POSSIBLE.
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:32 pm
CONNER SHAW…IF YOU READING THIS…….KNOW THIS………YOU ARE GONNA GET ROCKED BY MY FRIEND JARVIS.
dobearsbare
October 1st, 2012
2:34 pm
Those of you griping about play-calling just need to stop. It’s just ridiculous, and you reveal that you know nothing about football. The things that caused the Tennessee game to be close were turnovers and two ill-advised player decisions on special teams. And they still scored 51 points. They’re averaging 48 points a game, plus, late in the game Saturday, that pass Murray threw that Wooten dropped would have been a touchdown. Nothing wrong with that play call. So seriously, just shut the hell up about the play-calling. Find something else to bitch about. We know you can.
Ga Dawg81
October 1st, 2012
2:37 pm
Lot of negative comments here. I much rather be 5-0 than 4-1. If we play like we are capable of then we can win any game. Adjustments need to be made on the return game. Mitchell can not return kicks of any sort. We need to block the DE’s and the offense should move comfortably. Bobo can not let off the gas at any time. When you are ahead 14-20 points keep doing what you have been doing. Don’t let up. We have one of the best offensive teams in the country and Bobo needs to turn them lose. Use our speed and our size. The wr’s are as good as any team. The TE’s can catch and run with the ball. This team has not even reached its’ potential yet. I am sure Grantham will work on the defense. We need to to wrap up our blocks better. Someone needs to be on Connor Shaw every play. We have to pressure him. He is very accurate but what scares me is his running ability. If we can stop Lattimore and pressure Shaw then we win easy. If not then it might be a long game.
Go Dawgs!!!
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
Listen up “dobearebare”……Mike Bobo is the worst offensive playcaller in the history of football period. The only reason that Bobo bum has a job is because he went to school there. EVERBODY knows his play calling wreaks.
He needs to stick with coaching pee-wee leagues or powder puff football.
The truth stings my friend……..it stings. Ouch.
Florida Gamecock
October 1st, 2012
2:43 pm
Sorry to tell you guys, but wins over No. 20 and 23 is all you have to claim? Not that impressive . . .
Florida Gamecock
October 1st, 2012
2:45 pm
Well, Rocky Mount guarantees it? Guess the Gamecocks might as well not even show up.
WDE
October 1st, 2012
2:46 pm
@Florida Gamecock we did manage to rock Vandy pretty good… your bunch not so much.
Florida Gamecock
October 1st, 2012
2:48 pm
I agree, we had first-game kinks to work out and Shaw missed a third of the game. But we dominated Mizzou from the start, and you guys struggled for three quarters. And what happened in Week 1 has absolutely no bearing on Sat. night. It should be a great game.
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:48 pm
GURLY (3) + MARSHALL (4) = HERSCHEL (34)
THESE BOYS ARE GONNA ROCK COLUMBIA SC INTO A GREAT BIG DEPRESSION
GURLY PUTS UP 230 ON THE GROUND AND MARSHALL PUTS UP 157 ON THE GROUND SATURY NIGHT.
dobearsbare
October 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
And on what, dear rocky mount, do you base what is clearly an informed opinion? Bring something other than vitriol, something other than “everybody knows”.
GT
October 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
Florida has a great chance to beat LSU next weekend.
Spurrier is one of the greatest college coaches ever. He will beat Georgia which if LSU loses sets the table for a national championship run. They got to beat Alabama but they done that before, and this team may be better than that one. This could be another Spurrier year.
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:52 pm
FLORIDA OVER LSU BIG. ZACH NOT GETTING JOB DONE.
FLORIDA WORRIES ME……………NEVER KNOW WHO IS GONNA SHOW UP.
SORRY SOUTH CAROLINA……GEORGIA JUST HAS TOO MUCH DEPTH THIS YEAR. WE WOULD DESTROY ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.
WDE
October 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
@Florida Gamecock 21 points is 21 points playing Mizzou, we “struggled” and beat them by the same 21 points your bunch “manhandled” them by??? Please….but your right this should be a great game Saturday .
WDE
October 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
@GT I think Middle Tenn State just scored again…
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
Nobody can Georgia right now. Our offense is the most potent in the country. Murray, Gurley, Marshall, Mitchell, Wooten, Bennett, Rambo, Jarvis, Commings, ………..dude………this is sick! Georgia is LOADED. It’s like Murray’s determination to win is unstoppable. He will not play in the NFL so his time is NOW and he nows it.
rocky mount
October 1st, 2012
3:01 pm
@ entirenation……….just give Georgia the BCS NC trophy now………it will save teams alotof $$$ on travel.
RainDog
October 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
Mark this down—if Ga doesn’t beat usc by 13+, I’ll give up beer for a week. I’m not worried.
Countdown begins to SEC East showdown – Georgia – Dawg News
October 1st, 2012
3:23 pm
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