Georgia Football: Predictions on Georgia vs South Carolina

Georgia football takes on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday at 3:30. Yours truly, has been the target of South Carolina’s fans ire. I ruffled a few feathers (pun 110% intended).

I guess both fanbases needed something to fire themselves up, as Georgia is a 27.5-point favorite when writing this blog. Georgia should win this one with ease. However, I have a strange feeling about this one. I am unsure if it is because this is Georgia’s first real game or if it’s the ghost of the 2019 South Carolina game.

We all remember that game. I was there, and it may have been one of the strangest football games I have ever seen in person. So maybe it is PTSD from that experience. I am not sure yet. Covering a 27.5-point spread is tough to do, even if it is South Carolina. I have seen some Georgia fans and fans of this blog say they would put money on the Dawgs and that the Dawgs are going to make a statement. I hope they do, but I am slightly worried.

You will notice I become Eeyore when Georgia starts its SEC slate. Even after two national championships, I still feel like something horrible will happen. I cannot shake that feeling. Here are some things that worry me about this game. Is the Defense for real? Can the offensive line create a push for the running game? Who and how many running backs will Georgia use?

The Dawgs defense has only given up 10 points and only 486 yards in two games. Pretty good, no matter who you play. But Georgia is now playing Spencer Rattler, who is a dynamic QB. Can the Dawgs defense limit him? The only reason why I feel confident that Georgia can limit Rattler is that the Gamecock o-line stinks. They gave up nine sacks to UNC. You can’t fix that, so the Dawgs should be able to get pressure on Rattler.

We have yet to hear whether Bullard can go for this week’s game. Does this create an issue we could not see coming? I think the Dawgs’ defense is for real, but the real question is how good is it? The only issue I foresee the Dawgs having is stopping the run. But we will see if the D-line can create enough push to stymie the run on Saturday. I will be taking a lot from this game regarding the defense. My hope is the defense meets my expectations.

The offensive line is a worry for me. If you read every blog, you are probably tired of me harping on it. I do not know if it is an intensity or a scheme issue, but it needs to be fixed. Tate Ratledge said this week that the O-line is working to get better. I’m sure they are, but Georgia is too talented not to get any push up front. South Carolina D-line isn’t something to be scared of, but I would like to see the Dawgs front open up some holes this week. Can they do it? Can the offense lean on the O-line to open holes to pound the ball? I want to see Georgia be able to run the ball effectively on Saturday. If they can do that, all my worries offensively will go away.

The running back position is also a worry because of injuries. I would like to see Edwards back, and Milton gets more than ten carries in a game. If those things happen, the running back issue that plagued Georgia in the first two games would slowly disappear. I do not want Cash Jones to get the majority of snaps in this game. Nothing personal, Cash, it’s just business.

On that note, I want Dillion Bell to get more carries in this game. The few times he did carry the ball, he was fantastic. Georgia does not have the “home run hitter” we are used to. In today’s age of football, you do not need one of those to win. I want to see if the running backs can be effective. We are in business if Kendall Milton has close to 100 yards rushing.

While I am worried about those things, I am 95% sure the Dawgs will win this game. Carson Beck will play well, Bobo will silence the critics, and the Georgia defense will show its muscles. Georgia should win this game. Do they cover? I have no idea. But they should win by two scores, at the very least. Georgia is more talented and has more depth than South Carolina. Most people who call for the upset cite the Tenneesse and Clemson wins for South Carolina. Those from last year do not have the depth or the talent Georgia has this year.

But here is the defining thing in this match-up. Georgia does not beat themselves. So far, the one positive I have taken from the two “pre-season” games is that this Dawgs team is exceptionally disciplined and well-coached. In football, that is the most challenging team to beat, even if you have the talent edge. Georgia has the talent edge in this one. So, South Carolina will have to play perfectly and get some extra help from the Dawgs. I just do not see it happening. The Dawgs continue to roll and win 48-10.