There’s been a lot to say about Georgia’s lackluster schedule this year. Especially after the game versus Oklahoma in Norman was canceled upon their joining of the SEC. At the end of the day it is what it is. This weekend should be a little different with the arrival of Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Classic City– the Dawg’s first conference opponent of the season. 

It’s early in the year; don’t let their 1 and 1 record deceive you. The Gamecocks know ball, and Kirby Smart and his team are taking notice. 

In his presser on Monday, Smart was discussing USC’s starting quarterback Spencer Rattler and said, “He’s very dangerous.” But it’s not just Rattler and his 93.1 quarterback rating per Pro Football Focus (a rating that is 2nd amongst all Power Five quarterbacks through Week 2 play) that the Dawgs have to worry about. Smart also said:

“We got to be prepared. It’s not just Rattler. It’s the weapons he has around him. They’ve got an elite group of wideouts and even tight ends that they use, and he (Rattler) makes a lot of plays.”

This team should be the Dawg’s first real defensive test, the Georgia secondary in particular. That group has had to do some shifting personnel-wise because of injuries and depth. Standout safety Javon Bullard injured his ankle last Saturday and was seen in a boot on the sidelines against Ball State. The corner position opposite of Kamari Lassiter is still being competed over by Daylen Everette and Julian Humphrey. The connection should be there, but it’s not going to be a group we’re used to seeing. 

This game can be an opportunity to see Georgia in full motion. These past two weeks we’ve seen a good variety of guys (freshman) get time playing less talented opponents, but South Carolina should demand Georgia’s top dawgs. Unless things get out of hand that is. You never know what can happen nowadays. We’ll just have to wait until Saturday to see.