Georgia Football 2018 Preview: South Carolina Gamecocks

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Jake Bentley #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks hands off to running back A.J. Turner #25 during the first quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on January 1, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images /

Strengths of the program:

They might have the best receiver in the SEC. Seriously, anyone who watched Deebo Samuel play last year will tell you the same thing. The guy can ball. He scored 6 touchdowns in his first 3 games of the season last year before getting injured. The Georgia secondary is going to have to come up with a plan to stop Samuel who can take over games.

We saw last year how UGA could be susceptible to big time receivers, especially with quickness. Against Mizzou the secondary struggled and the same thing happened in the postseason. The Dawgs return Deandre Baker and JR Reed, but the rest of their secondary is raw. It will likely have 3 new starters playing there, none of whom will be experienced by week 2. It’s very concerning to think of Bentley and Samuel attacking that weakness so early in the season.

On defense, they Gamcocks were great with turnovers last year. They had a plus-11 turnover margin for the season which is pretty impressive for a unit that doesn’t wow you with talent. They do have some standout young players however that really are impressive. D.J. Wonnum could be one of the best young pass rushers in the SEC this season. He’ll anchor a defensive line that won’t be easy for UGA to walk all over.

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