UGA - South Carolina Pregame
September 11, 2008 by Jeff Waters
Filed under NCAA Football, SEC
On paper this game looks to be a near lock for Georgia to come away with the win. The Bulldogs bring the SEC’s top ranked offense to Columbia, scoring an average of 50 points per game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 4 touchdowns and no interceptions in two games, while the running game led by tailback Knowshon Moreno has racked up 475 yards and 8 TDs. South Carolina’s offense ranks 9th out of the 12 SEC teams and has given up a conference and nation leading 6 interceptions. 2008 is Stafford’s 3rd year as Georgia’s QB, the Gamecocks may play 3 quarterbacks on Saturday. It just doesn’t look good for the Ole’ Ball Coach’s team.
But there is a reason why so many of us love college football, ANYTHING can happen. After only 2 games into the season look at what’s already transpired. Ohio took the Buckeyes to brink of disaster, and who would have guessed East Carolina could do what they did not once but twice! The Bulldogs travel to Columbia and a sold out Williams Brice Stadium and if Carolina gets an early turnover or puts points on the board first, I know the Gamecock henhouse will be rocking. South Carolina’s defense is the SEC’s top ranked unit and Steve Spurrier has beaten Georgia 12 out 15 tries while at Florida and USC. Georgia fans will never forget the worst beating we’ve ever taken between the hedges, a 52-17 pasting by Spurrier’s 1995 Gators.
That said, I just don’t think South Carolina can make it happen this year. The Gamecock offense has no stability, and even the best defense will wear down if it is always on the field. Living in the heart of Gamecock country, I’ve come to realize that Gamecock fans are a nation of eternal optimists. It reached an all time high this week when a caller to the local sports radio told me that the Gamecocks would come away with the win because they would score points off interceptions and fumbles. Folks, when you hang your hat on winning a football game with turnovers, your team has some serious problems. The caller got off the line without mentioning his team’s own problem with giving up the football (6 INTs and 1 fumble). Spurrier’s quarterback carousel looks to continue this week as local media reports say Tommy Beecher, Chris Smelley, and Stephen Garcia will all see the field on Saturday. The offensive line is hurting, giving up 9 sacks in 2 games. Carolina’s tailback Mike Davis is a capable runner, but a shaky passing game leaves him no room to run.
I think Georgia will attack Carolina’s defense with a heavy dose of Knowshon Moreno, Richard Samuel, and Caleb King, looking to wear down that D-line. The play action pass game will open up and UGA’s group of receivers will reap the rewards. This could be a coming out party for South Carolina native A.J. Green, Georgia’s talented freshman wideout. Georgia also gets pass rusher Kade Weston back on defense after missing a few games with a knee injury, hopefully beefing up one of the few things missing from a skilled unit.
This game may start out slow, both defenses grinding out some 3 and outs, but I think UGA will score some late unanswered points, cruising to a 3 touchdown victory.
Go Dawgs!
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September 11th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Just in out of Columbia, at least 7 football players were involved in a fight on campus a short time ago. Don’t know much yet, stay tuned.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Interesting! Spurrier has had alot of problems with players off the field the last few years.
As for Saturday, Georgia pulls away and wears down South Carolina. Then the big one next week, Georgia at ASU!
September 12th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I think the ‘old ball coach made a mistake in not going back to the gators when he had the chance.
Georgia should run away literally with this one and move on to prepare for the following week.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
hey jeff, I bet you remember that “half a hundred” in Athens like it was yesterday ! But i agree with you that SC just doesnt look ready to pull the upset. But maybe a couple quick scores early product of a break here or there and all of a sudden things could get interesting.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Agreed! More and more I like Georgia by double digits!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Yeah I definitely remember that day in Athens. We got blown out for sure, but that was some of the craziest tailgating I’ve ever seen on campus. They don’t call it the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for nothing. Funny thing is everyone was so disgusted over the football game, but later that night the Braves won the World Series. Downtown Athens was going bonkers.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
The fight ended up involving 5 Carolina players and some non-students. As of now there are no pending game suspensions.
September 12th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Georgia by 10 says this Irish fan! Cant wait for next week at ASU!
September 13th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Nice piece Jeff, should be a very interesting game. The first SEC challenge of many to see if this Georgia team is for real. (which I believe they are.) This game reminds me a lot of the Gamecocks trip down to LSU which was also an early season CBS showcase. The Tigers took it to them in a competitive game and pulled away in the second half to take it 28-16. I expect a similar result tonight.