6. Can South Carolina hang with Georgia (No. 7)?
The Gamecocks have a 4-1 record against Georgia the last five times the two SEC programs met, but there isn’t much hope that recent trend of winning will continue this weekend.
Steve Spurrier finds himself with an unknown quantity at quarterback, as starter Connor Mitch is out with a bum shoulder and hip. In Mitch’s place is former walk-on Perry Orth, who will be making his first start. Spurrier talked up his signal-caller during a recent press conference.
“He throws a nice pass when he takes his steps and gets protection and throws it, he can throw a beautiful pass,” coach Steve Spurrier said, via the Associated Press. “He’s been here, what, three years now, earned a scholarship preseason, so if we can protect him and get some guys open he’s very capable.”
Likely, the best shot South Carolina has at winning the game is disrupting the other quarterback on the field this Saturday. Georgia’s Greyson Lambert hasn’t inspired to this point in his first season behind center, and he was downright abysmal against Vanderbilt last weekend. A few key turnovers could provide the Gamecocks with the means to pull off a huge upset.
Realistically, Georgia head coach Mark Richt won’t give him many opportunities to shine, or make mistakes. With Heisman hopeful Nick Chubb living up to expectations, we should expect to see a run-heavy offense featured by the Bulldogs this weekend.
This game is nationally televised on ESPN and is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET.