University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Georgia
Students: 34,885
Mascot: Uga (live) Hairy the Dawg
Stadium: Sanford Stadium {Capacity 92,746}
Head Coach: Mark Richt Overall record 96-35
Last Game: lost to Boise State 35-21 at the Georgia Dome
Overall record vs. Carolina: 43 -15-2, Lost last year 17 -6 in Columbia
Famous Alumni:Wayne Knight – actor “Newman” from Seinfeld, Ryan Seacrest – American Idol host, Champ Bailey, David Pollack (ESPN), Bubba Watson (PGA) and Matt Stafford (NFL).
Georgia vs. South Carolina is always a hard game to predict as you never know what could happen in a SEC match up this early in the season but this boarder battle is always a good one. Seven of the last 10 meetings between these schools have been decided by seven points or less. Last year was the Marcus Lattimore coming out party in the SEC. He rushed for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns, and I expect him to do pretty much the same this year. UGA will be without top linebacker Alec Ogletree after he was injured last weekend against Boise State.
Georgia’s Defensive players to watch: Senior corner-back Brandon Boykin is a playmaker both on defense and on special teams. He has the ability to change a game in one play and Garcia will need to know where he is at all times. Linebacker Christian Robinson who recorded a team high 13 tackles last week will need to step up even more this week with Olgetree out. On the defensive line, Abry Jones and Kwame Geathers will need big games if they have any chance of slowing down the Gamecocks run game. Geathers who is from SC, is listed at 6-6 and 350 lbs could cause problems for USC’s interior line.
Georgia’s Offensive players to watch: The Georgia offense will only go as far as QB Aaron Murray can take them. Murray is talented QB who can take the game over if allowed. Last week Murray completed 16 of 29 passes for 236 yards and two TDs. With the departure of AJ Greene to the NFL, Murray’s new “go to” is TE Orson Charles. Charles plays more like a wide receiver then a tight end and the smaller linebackers for South Carolina will need to step it up if they want to contain Charles over the middle. Georgia’s run game will be lead by freshman star Isaiah Crowell, who rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries last week. USC must contain him.
The X factor: When playing Georgia, you always have to prepare for their special teams. Blair Walsh and Drew Butler are two of the best in the game and will play a major part in the is game. If Carolina is pinned deep by Butler it could be a long game for the offense. Flip side of that is the way USC play’s on special teams. No shanked punts, tackle Boykin and be special in their own return game just like versus ECU (Sanders TD).
The Big 3 on offense for SC: Garcia, Lattimore and Jeffery will once again be the main focus for the Gamecocks. Ace Sanders had a nice game last week and should play a major role in this game. Last week, Sanders had a punt return for a touchdown as well a receiving touchdown. Lattimore rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries, and 3 touchdowns. No holding back in this game. Garica was 7 of 15 for 110 yards and one passing TD. The different was Garcia’s legs, as he ran for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns. Keeping Garcia health will be a key this season, and when he is outside the pocket he does have a tendence to put his shoulder down, instead of sliding.
Gamecock Defense: Last weeks star was Antonio Allen, as he pretty much did everything for the Gamecocks. Allen recorded 16 tackles, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown. The biggest key will be if the Gamecock secondary can stop up after giving up 260 yards in the air and 4 touchdowns to ECU. South Carolina did not record a sack last week, but the defensive line played well, as ECU took them out of the game with quick passes. In Clowney’s first game, he recorded 7 tackles and looked like a SEC caliber defensive end.
Prediction: Georgia will come out fired up as it is their first home game of the season. If USC can protect the ball and run the ball against the Dawg’s Defense, it should be a good day in Athens. Look for Lattimore to have another big day, and Alshon to have at least one touchdown in the game.
Gamecocks 32 Georgia 17
