The South Carolina Gamecocks hit the road to Athens where they will face some angry Georgia Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and surely this will be an instant SEC classic as this game has early implications on the SEC East title race.
South Carolina enters the contest with a 1-0 record and ranked No. 12 in the AP polls after getting past East Carolina by the score of 56-37. For the Gamecocks, the game with the Pirates was not pretty but it was a win.
The ball did not bounce the way of the ‘Dawgs, as they went through a rough patch against the Boise State Broncos due to the inability to really get their offense clicking. The efficiency of Kellen Moore proved too much for the Bulldogs and the Broncos won the game 35-21 in the Georgia Dome.
Now week two and a conference game so not much of what happened in the past really matters in this game. This is SEC football and a clash of two teams with a lot riding on the outcome.
For USC, the continued march towards a BCS berth in 2011 and proper defense of their 2010 SEC East crown. For UGa, it is about righting the ship and protecting the job of their Coach Mark Richt.
This game is always close as the last four games between South Carolina and Georgia have been decided by 11 points or less with both teams winning two games apiece. The last time between the hedges, the Gamecocks dropped a shootout losing 41-37 and have not won in Athens since 2007.
USC is favored by as much as three points in this game depending on the odds maker so most think the game will be close and most think USC will win. To make that a reality, USC has to execute the following five keys:
1. Match the Intensity of UGA
UGa will come out ready to play as it is a home-opener, the Coach is on the hot seat and the outcomes carries weight on the judgment of success in 2011. USC cannot come out flat and has to be ready to play as soon as the ball is kicked off.
2. USC’s Line Play
The Gamecocks on both sides of the ball must win the trench battles. On the offensive line side, they must create holes for Marcus Lattimore to explode through and protect Stephen Garcia. On the defensive side, the line must get penetration and disrupt Aaron Murray while stopping the UGa run game.
3. USC Must Spread the Ball on Offense
The Gamecocks have to get more receivers involved. Stephen Garcia must get some screens or crossing routes going to open up the down-the-field throws.
4. USC must not hurt itself
The Gamecocks need to not have “a case of the fumbles” like they did against ECU and the Gamecocks must not shank a punt. What it boils down to is the Gamecocks cannot give the Bulldogs anything. A near perfect game is needed from USC.
5. Lattimore
The Gamecocks running back must get his touches and make the most of them. If he is able to eat up yards and keep the chains moving, that means good things for USC. He is the key gamecock in this game.
Those five keys are doable for USC and the Gamecocks should leave Athens with a win. The score should be in the ballpark of 20-16 USC. Mark Richt’s hot seat just got hotter.
