Major Matchups: Georgia at South Carolina
Georgia finds itself in familiar territory as it heads to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday. The Bulldogs are heavily favorite and like much of last season, they are ranked No. 1 in the nation.
South Carolina would love nothing more than to put an early damper on UGA’s season and it’ll need win some major matchups to do so. The same can be said for Georgia if it wants to do as great teams do and cover. Below, we break down those matchups.
Georgia pass rush vs. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler
The Gamecocks have had a really hard time protecting Rattler in obvious passing situations. Georgia has affected the quarterback well this season but it hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet when it comes to sacks. It has just one on the year.
The Bulldog rush needs to get home but more than anything it needs to keep Rattler in the pocket and make him throw on platform. He’s at his best when he can move around and put the defense in conflict.
DawgsHQ’s Take: Georgia has the athleticism and experience against mobile quarterbacks to put Rattler in some uncomfortable situations. Interior pressure is nice but the Bulldogs should get more from outside linebackers Robert Beal and Nolan Smith in this game. They’re the key to making Rattler win from the pocket.
UGA ground game vs. South Carolina’s front seven
Georgia State and Arkansas beat up on the Gamecocks at times with the ground game. South Carolina has given up 10 rushing plays of 10 yards or more through two games. It has given up three of 40 yards or more. It’s a weakness that UGA needs to exploit because it opens up the rest of the offense.
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The problem is that Georgia hasn’t shown much explosiveness on the ground this year. The Bulldogs have just six run plays of 10 yards or more and none of 20 yards or more.
DawgsHQ’s Take: That UGA stat changes this week. We’re not ready to say that Georgia is going to go out there and light South Carolina up for 200 yards or more. That’s possible, especially when you consider the defensive injuries the Gamecocks sustained at Arkansas last week, but we predict more of a consistently effective attack with some chunk plays mixed in.
Georgia cornerbacks vs. South Carolina wideout Antwane Wells Jr.
The James Madison transfer has been a revelation for South Carolina through two games. He leads the team and SEC with 15 catches for 244 yards and a touchdown. He’s the most dangerous receiver that the Bulldogs have faced through two games. Wells is a good all-around talent. He can go up and get the 50/50 balls, separate with route running and burst, and run after the catch. UGA needs to know where he is at all times.
DawgsHQ’s Take: Shutting down Wells would create some serious problems for the Gamecock offense. He’s their go-to playmaker. Georgia has shown the ability to do that to No. 1 receivers under Kirby Smart. It’s unlikely that they’ll shadow him with Kelee Ringo, so Kamari Lassiter will have to be up to the task when he is called upon. The same can be said for Javon Bullard and the safeties when South Carolina moves Wells around.
