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
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Finer. Georgia runs a few pure running plays to the outside, but really not that many, so even IF you shut down “all those sweeps” it would hardly be much of blow to the game plan. Also, it’s your LBs and DBs that defend that, more so than a DE.
Personally, I’ll take (Clowney and Taylor) trying to sniff out a sweep play and going wide ALL DAY LONG.
Now, this isn’t going to be one of those weeks where we just have to put up with you not really knowing anything about the strategy, but you just repeat a couple of players names that you have heard about, is it? . ie. Alshon Jeffreys this, and Alshon jeffrey that.
GimmeAbreak
October 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm
Avery, Coach Richt is a classy coach who, unlike several other coaches, would NEVER go after a knee, a shoulder or any other “bounty”! When we beat SC it will be because we have the better team.
7576, you are right! Run, Run, Pass = disaster for Dawgs (see 4th quarter against Tenn and many others). If you dance with the one that brung you for ALL 60 minutes you will leave happy!
rocky mount
October 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
GEORGIA BULLDOGS 49
SC GAMECOCKS 14 Final
Player Of The Game: Jarvis Jones (3 sacks, 1 INT (for TD), 2 FUM RECV)
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 2nd, 2012
1:55 pm
LOL @ Altahomer Dog
Here’s some strategy for ya, give the ball to Lattimore because the dogs can’t tackle him.
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
…….proving my point once again.
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 2nd, 2012
2:31 pm
And Lattimore will prove my point for the third straight year….
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
IF UGA dont give them gifts like last year and last week…UGA wins easily. If the defense plays like they are capable of playing AND UGA does not give them gifts or make huge blunders, UGA WILL BLOW THEM OUT….Id like to see a complete game Saturday night by the Bulldogs for the first time this year…..Go Dawgs. Be serious. Be focused. Dont panic. Be confident and KNOW you are the better team when you walk on that field and take it to them. WIN!
azdawg
October 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Lattimore will get his yardage. GA has not been able to stop him for past 2 years. Key is to keep him out of the end zone. He can get all his yards between the 20’s who cares. As long as he doesn’t score. Shaw is the key to stopping SC. His ability to run for 1st downs and lots of yards keeps SC in the game. Shuit his running down and make him pass the ball and I’ll take that scenario any day. Clowny and the other DE on SC created havoc for the dawgs in last seasons game. GA’s OL will have their biggest test to date, maybe the season, with that duo. Murray has been fortunate thus far this season w/the protection he’s been getting with few exceptions. Giving him time to find his receivers will be key to GA’s success. I doubt Gurshell twins will have the great success they’ve experienced thus far against this SC D front four. The dawgs OL will have to work OT to open the holes for the twins. Spurrier really does have the weapons to beat anyone this year plus he’s the evil genious. If he gets the upper hand and early lead it will be tough for the dawgs to overcome. Just have to hope we have the bounces go our way and don’t give them any points. D has to play lights out. And please Lord, bless the dawgs kickers and special team players.
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
azdog,
Lattimore has scored 8 td’s and he will score especially since the dogs’ red zone defense is not very good (allowing 8 rushing TD’s).
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Lattimore wont be doing nothing like he has done against UGA in the past. Especially n the 2nd half. Bet it up…
UGA’s coming out party is Saturdy night in front of the entire nation. Look for UGA to be #2 in the nation Sunday. I told you all 2 years ago….”The Dawg Has Turned” when you were all wanting Richt gone. WELL….look how far we have come and how wrong you are. NOTHING is going to stop UGA’s destiny. It started 2-3 years ago. We hit bottom and ummm….UGA is RISING and not gonna be stopped. If you still dont believe, how many bricks you need to drop on your head?
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Lattimore wont be doing nothing like he has done against UGA in the past. Especially n the 2nd half.
—————————
Laughable.
Everyone knows that Lattimore gets stronger as the game goes on, especially against a dog defense that ranks No. 57 in the country against the rush.
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
UGA has not shown their run defense for a reason….didnt want the run-oriented South Carolina offense to be able to prepare for what they will get Saturday night. We knew this game was going to be key and didnt want to give up our scheme. Thats been the plan before the season started and it worked because UGA is undefeated and NOW have that advantage to unleash on the
“Not gonna be able to score ENOUGH! even if Lattimore rushes for 200 yards” Gamecocks!
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
On the rise and the Bulldog Nation and Bulldog Country WILL RISE UP ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY AND IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE DECLARE:
“WE ARE THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS AND WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME TO PUT YOU ALL ON NOTICE THAT “THE BIG DAWG WILL NOW EAT!”………AND WE ARE STAKING CLAIM TO THE 2012 SEC AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS”!
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Ahhhhh Ms. Ashon Jeffreys has discovered college football stats.com now. How lovely.
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
The problem with that is: SC is #57 in the country in rushing offense.
BTW, Georgia is #11, if that matters.
What else ya got?
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
On the rise and the Bulldog Nation and Bulldog Country WILL RISE UP ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY AND IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE TO DECLARE:
“WE ARE THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS AND WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME TO PUT YOU ALL ON NOTICE THAT THE BIG DAWG WILL NOW EAT………AND WE ARE STAKING CLAIM TO THE 2012 SEC AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS”!
Columbus
October 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
Yeah…..SC running game is not too good against not so good competition.
UGA is NO Kentucky or Vandy and South Carolina fans KNOW it baby!
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
The problem with that is: SC is #57 in the country in rushing offense.
BTW, Georgia is #11, if that matters.
What else ya got?
—————————————
More like, who else you got?
Lattimore.
And the dogs can’t stop him.
AltamahaDawg
October 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
That’s ok. I remember when I first discovered stats, too. Fun till they bite you in your hinny, aren’t they?
But sure, lets go with: Lattimore is going to run all over ONLY Georgia, not the other 5 teams he has played against.
florida gamecock
October 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
As far as Latti’s stats, he basically took the 2nd half off vs. ecu and uab. In the other 3 games, he had 110, 85 and 120 and has averaged over 5 per carry. Latti’s just fine, don’t worry . . .
FloridaDawg
October 3rd, 2012
6:15 am
I agree with the poster who said Murray holds the ball out to hand off and everyone in the stadium knows what’s going on.
He needs to look at film on David Greene.
Swampdawg
October 3rd, 2012
9:41 am
To Win! All the Dawgs need to do is stop No. 14 and No. 21. Dawgs have to play with the intensity like they did in 2007 when they sacked Teebow 6 times and beat Florida 42-30. They have to get to No. 14 and sack his butt!. They have to stop No. 21 (Gang tackle his a**). Just 2 players! Just 2 players to stop! Stop’em and Win!
William fraser
October 4th, 2012
2:25 pm
Charles Lord Cornwallis and banastre Tarleton labelled Francis Marion, the South Carolina insurgent leader, the Fighting Gamecock. The following battles were fought in South carolina during the revolution, Charleston 1777, Charleston 1780, savannah 1779, Stono Ferry 1779, Waxhaws 1779, Camden 1778, Ninety six , Kings Mountain, Mocks Corner, Cowpens. Blackstocks and multiple smaller battles occurred in South Caroina as well, or along its border with North Carolina.
Why is this important when discussing football. First, its news to legions of Georgia fans who have become used to disparaging South Carolina, something the Gamecocks always find amusing. Second, its an indication of the state’s character and combativeness when confronting adversity. Third its something Georgia fans should try to remember when they come to Columbia with their Chik Fil A sandwiches. Carolina is hallowed ground, an historic university and city. We will treat you with respect, becuase we are gentlemen and ladies. Feel free to come in bragging and beating your chests about how great your fottball team is . We like that in an opponent. I know, we’re totally outclassed by you guys. We’re overrated too. Thats all true So, bring the moonshine and come ready to laugh at us.
Cornwallis and Tarleton did too. We like that. And thanks to all the UGa expertes who are predicting the big win. Its nic to see so many experts out there, deeply intellectual, non partisan and totally impartial. We like that too. So was ferguson at Kings Mountain. Oops, he dayud.
Canus lupus familiaris—-its on the menu South Carolina this week,,,,hitch up the mules and swing on by…:)
William fraser
October 4th, 2012
2:28 pm
Dawg 1, thanks for sharing your learned and impartial opinion.
Chicken Fever
October 7th, 2012
1:16 pm
Lets hear some of all that smack talk now Dawgs. We put the muzzle on all of you! Its a great day in Gameock Nation!
icon collection
October 7th, 2012
7:12 pm
Excuse for that I interfere … I understand this question. Let’s discuss. Write here or in PM.