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Georgia and South Carolina are each looking to end a two-game losing streak Saturday. The Bulldogs were blown out at Ole Miss and suffered a heartbreaking loss last weekend against Tennessee, while the Gamecocks lost by a touchdown at Kentucky and gave a valiant effort against Texas A&M.
Although it remains to be seen how Hurricane Matthew will impact this game, or if the contest will take place this weekend, the two teams are preparing to play and we are here to analyze this SEC East matchup.
Here’s how they stack up:
When Georgia has the ball
Jacob Eason vs. South Carolina pass defense: Georgia’s freshman quarterback continues to improve each week. He’s on pace to break school records. Although he still makes some questionable decisions at times, Eason looks more comfortable in the pocket and is starting to spread the ball around.
It’s fair to question the competition, but South Carolina is third in the SEC in passing yards allowed per game. The Gamecocks are giving up just over 200 yards through the air, which is a little over 10 more than Alabama. Impressively, South Carolina held Texas A&M senior quarterback Trevor Knight to just over a 50 percent completion rate and only 206 passing yards with no touchdowns.
Eason looks most comfortable throwing the ball deep, but that won’t be easy in this one. The Gamecocks have allowed only two receptions of 30 or more yards this season and their pass rush, led by Darius English, won’t give Georgia much time. This should be a good test for Eason as he strives to get better, but South Carolina’s pass defense is for real.
Edge: South Carolina
Nick Chubb & Co. vs. South Carolina run defense: Nick Chubb has been cleared to go against South Carolina, but he likely won’t have to carry the load by himself as Sony Michel and Brian Herrien looked impressive against Tennessee.
The trio has combined for 880 yards and 7 touchdowns and could have another big outing against South Carolina’s defense, which is allowing 202 rushing yards per game. Running backs are averaging 4.83 yards per carry against the Gamecocks. That’s a good sign for Chubb, Herrien and Michel, who have a combined average of 5.5 yards per rush.
Georgia’s offensive line appears to finally be gelling in the run game, so that might be the team’s strategy against South Carolina’s defense.
Edge: Georgia
UGA receivers vs. South Carolina secondary: After force-feeding Isaiah McKenzie in the team’s first three games, Eason has begun to involve more receivers. Tight end Isaac Nauta (below) had a strong outing against Tennessee, catching 5 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Riley Ridley led all wide receivers with 59 yards and a score.
If the Bulldogs are able to use the wide variety of weapons at their disposal, they could have success against this secondary. D.J. Smith and Chris Lammons are South Carolina players to watch, but the secondary’s success feels more like the sum of their individual parts than the result of talent across the board.
Edge: Georgia
When South Carolina has the ball
Perry Orth/Brandon McIlwain vs. Georgia pass defense: Offense has been a major struggle for South Carolina, and that begins with the quarterback position. Brandon McIlwain looked to be staking a claim to the position before a shaky outing against Texas A&M led to his benching. In his stead, former starter Perry Orth looked much sharper in the fourth quarter.
Will Muschamp says he has a plan for his quarterback rotation, but it’s unlikely that either will find success against the Bulldogs. Georgia has struggled in recent weeks against two of the SEC’s top quarterbacks and is giving up 240 yards per game through the air. This week will provide the Bulldogs with a chance to get back on track against two quarterbacks who haven’t fared well thus far.
Edge: Georgia
South Carolina running backs vs. Georgia run defense: With no passing game to speak of, South Carolina hasn’t been able to find success on the ground. The Gamecocks are among the worst rushing teams in college football, averaging just over 100 yards per game.
A.J. Turner (below) is the team’s leading rusher with 270 yards and 2 touchdowns on 57 carries, while David Williams is slowly climbing out of Muschamp’s doghouse and has only 110 yards. Georgia’s run defense is in the top-half of the SEC, limiting opponents to 137 yards per game.
McIlwain can run, but not from the bench.
After holding Joshua Dobbs, Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara to 127 yards, Georgia should be prepared to shut down South Carolina.
Edge: Georgia
South Carolina receivers vs. Georgia secondary: South Carolina should get its two best receivers back against Georgia and Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards have practiced this week. The duo has suffered from hamstring problems, but their return should bolster a struggling unit.
After facing two talented receiver groups, Georgia’s defensive backs should have an easier time in this one. It remains to be seen how effective Samuel and Edwards will be, and the quarterback struggles will likely limit the overall potential of the passing game.
Edge: Georgia
Special teams
Although Georgia made all of its field goal and extra point attempts for the first time this season against Tennessee, it’s clear that the coaching staff is not comfortable with the kicking game. South Carolina, meanwhile, has a capable kicker in senior Elliot Fry. The Gamecocks also have a dynamic kickoff returner in A.J. Turner, who is averaging nearly 30 yards per return. Georgia’s special teams have haunted it all season, and it won’t have an edge in this one.
Edge: South Carolina
