Coming off a loss to Texas A&M that was closer than the score showed, South Carolina plans to take on Georgia Saturday, who dropped out of the Top 25 after a heartbreaking last-second Hail Mary loss to Tennessee.
On the defensive side, the Bulldogs have one of the best safeties in the SEC in Dominick Sanders. While he hasn’t had as many opportunities for interceptions as he did last season (he led the SEC in picks last season), he’s still a premier ball-hawk, and whoever plays quarterback for the Gamecocks will have to pay close attention to the middle of the field where Sanders prowls.
A part of Georgia’s defense that has severely struggled is their pass rush. Through five games they have only garnered six sacks, good for second to last in the conference. The South Carolina offensive line has had its struggles giving their quarterback time in the backfield, but Saturday’s game might be easier providing protection for whoever will be the signal caller.
Other than Sanders, there really aren’t any household names on this side of the ball, but the offensive team is a different story.
True freshman and former five-star quarterback Jacob Eason has taken over the quarterback position after Greyson Lambert wasn’t cutting it for head coach Kirby Smart. Even though he’s had to rush to make throws on multiple occasions since his offensive line has played subpar, he still has recorded close to 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in the five games he’s played, picking up over a three-fourths of those numbers in the past two games against Tennessee and Ole Miss. While he isn’t quite a top-tier quarterback just yet, his potential and playmaking ability shines.
And he really doesn’t need to be when he’s got two of the best running backs helping him out in the ground game.
With once Heisman hopeful Nick Chubb still trying to recover from a nagging ankle injury, Sony Michel and Brian Herrien have stepped up to make up for Chubb’s absence. While Chubb’s contribution is uncertain Saturday, South Carolina still has to worry about the other two. Herrien, a true freshman, has run for 265 yards this season, and Michel has tacked on another 206. While these numbers might not be spectacular, both of them have big play speed and can out-maneuver anyone in the Gamecock defense.
Add in the monstrous Chubb who can knock anyone flat, and the backfield is easily Georgia’s strongest position.
As a whole, the Georgia game is a very winnable one, if the Gamecocks can exploit some of the Bulldogs’ offensive and defensive weaknesses while limiting their backfield.
Weather pending, the game will be Saturday night in Williams-Brice at 7:30 p.m., however, Hurricane Matthew might force a change in schedule.