SL's Game Day Preview: South Carolina Edition

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SL's Game Day Preview: South Carolina Edition

SL's Game Day Preview Photos By Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated
SL’s Game Day Preview
Photos By Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated

As you make your way to the Columbia, remember your manners, always say Go Dawgs, and always read Bulldawg Illustrated’s gameday preview. Today, Georgia takes on the South Carolina Gamecocks for the game two of the 2018 season! Below you can find out where to watch the game, what to expect, and a score prediction from Bulldawg Illustrated’s very own Savannah Leigh. Enjoy!

How to watch/listen to the Game

TV:

CBS @3:30 PM

Play-by-play: Brad Nessler
Color Analyst: Gary Danielson
Sideline: Jamie Erdahl
*** The SEC Nation will be in Columbia, South Carolina this weekend airing live from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M.

Radio:

WSB 95.5 FM/750AM

Play-by-Play: Scott Howard
Color Analyst: Eric Zeier
Sideline: Chuck Dowdle

ESPN RADIO

Play-by-play: Bill Rosinski
Color Analyst: David Norrie
Sideline: Ian Fitzsimmons
 

3 Things to Expect from the Game

1: Offensive Weapons ready to Show out… for Both teams

Georgia and South Carolina have a ton of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. The two teams have star quarterbacks with Jake Fromm and Jake Bentley. During week one, both offenses utilized 11 receivers and the run games rolled. Each team has stars and they’re all ready to make plays on the field. Both schools scored 40 plus points in the first week and had over 500 yards of offense. Today could be another high scoring game, for at least one of these teams. It’ll come down to who uses more offensive weapons and how many big plays happen.

Jake Bentley’s weapons

Bentley threw to 11 different receivers in game one against Coastal Carolina. He went 22-29 for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns. Shi Smith led the Gamecocks with 4 catches for 61 yards. Deebo Samuel had seven catches for 56 yards and one touchdown. Bryan Edwards was the third wideout to have at least 50 receiving yards as he had 4 catches for 53 yards and one score. If Bentley isn’t throwing it in the air, he’s handing it off to Rico Dowdle. The Gamecocks had 263 yards on the ground in week one as it used five different players. Dowdle carried the rock 15 times for 105 yards and one touchdown; he also had one 22 yard touchdown catch. Ty’Son Williams carried the ball 11 times for 82 yards and a touchdown.
South Carolina can score points in the air and on the ground. Bentley will have to utilize both to score points on Georgia’s tough defense. Many think it’ll be a throwing battle, but it there could be a running battle as well.

Jake Fromm’s weapons

Like Bentley, Fromm threw to 11 different targets against Austin Peay. Fromm went 12-16 157 yards and two touchdowns. However, it doesn’t stop there at quarterback. Justin Fields handled some drives in week one and went 7-8 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Mecole Hardman led the team with 2 catches for 63 yards and one touchdown. Behind him, Riley Ridley made three catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. Ahkil Crumpton caught a couple passes for 20 yards. The Bulldogs have an abundance of receivers to throw to. However, running is usually Georgia’s game. The Bulldogs rushed for 284 yards including one 72-yard run from receiver Demetrius Robertson for a touchdown. D’Andre Swift carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and a touchdown not to mention he made four catches for 33 yards. James Cook carried the ball six times for 66 yards averaging 11 yards a carry. Fields not only tossed the ball but ran it three times for 33 yards. Elijah Holyfield toted the rock five times for 24 yards and a score rounding out the Bulldogs rush attack.
Georgia has a lot more targets than I mentioned above, but these are the ones that made an impression during week one. However, with this many targets, the Bulldogs shouldn’t have any problems getting in the end zone.

2: Freshman running back has fresh legs for the second half

Cook made a bad decision last week and has to serve a one-half suspension for a targeting call. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Bulldogs. He will come in with a pair of fresh legs allowing Swift and others to rest. Cook showed he can make plays in week one. South Carolina doesn’t have a lot of film on him, and it’ll be hard for a defense to cover a fresh back after they play a full half. It’s time for Cook to get in the end zone, and he could get his first touchdown of the season in Columbia.

3: Georgia’s defense shows out

The Bulldogs didn’t give up a single point last week and held Austin Peay to 91 rushing yards and 61 passing yards. Granted the Gamecocks are a lot better than Austin Peay; I could see the defense shutting down their offense. Georgia will continuously rotate guys in and out throughout the game and will stay fresh. With some positions having 3-4 deep, the Bulldogs should have no problem keeping guys hydrated and ready to go. Jonathan Ledbetter will likely be limited with a recent ankle injury, but it’ll give other guys abilities to make plays. By the second half of the game, Georgia should be getting in the backfield a lot and causing some turnovers. If the Gamecocks make plays anywhere, it’ll be in the secondary as that’s where Georgia has a lot of youth. This game will give Tyson Campbell a great chance to make some big plays and show he deserves to stay out there despite Tyrique McGhee returning from injury. After some friendly smack talk earlier in the week, look for Deandre Baker to be hungry and making sure other players know he’s out there. This week should show what kind of defense the Bulldogs have and just how elite that secondary will eventually be.

SL’s Score Prediction8

I’ve waited all week long to reveal my score prediction for this game and listened to a lot of people give their opinions about the game. There has been a lot of talk about who will be ready and even some upset chatter. Despite all of the noise, Georgia comes in wears down the Gamecocks and pulls away in the fourth quarter. Look for not only a battle on offense and defense but one with the special teams. This is the title for SEC East in week two, and the Bulldogs roast the chickens, 38-10.
 
 

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Author /

Savannah Leigh is a recent graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia. She is an avid SEC, Dawgs, and college football fan. She also adores her four-year-old black lab, Champ Bailey.