First look: Top storylines, betting odds for South Carolina vs. Georgia football game

Jeremiah Holloway
Butch Dill/AP

South Carolina won’t get much of a recovery game after its 44-30 loss against Arkansas — an SEC juggernaut is next.

The Gamecocks will host No. 1 Georgia on Saturday at noon. It’s the team’s second home game of the season, and the first of three straight games in Williams-Brice Stadium.

On Georgia’s coaching staff is co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, the head coach at South Carolina from 2016-20 before Shane Beamer arrived.

This is the first time that USC has hosted The Associated Press No. 1 team since 2015, when it lost to Clemson 37-32 in Shawn Elliott’s final game as interim coach.

South Carolina vs Georgia game info

Who: Georgia Bulldogs (2-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina

When: Noon Saturday

TV: ESPN

Stream: via ESPN app

USC VS GEORGIA BETTING LINE

Georgia is a 24.5-point favorite over South Carolina, according to the VegasInsider consensus line. The Bulldogs beat USC by 27 in Athens last year.

GAMECOCKS FIGURING OUT RUN GAME

The rushing offense for USC has been a work in progress.

Through two games, the team has picked up 119 rushing yards on 2.0 yards per carry. The offensive line was better against Arkansas, but the running scheme as a whole hasn’t yielded much success for South Carolina.

The team recently got Christian Beal-Smith back from injury, but he didn’t see much action against the Razorbacks. The Gamecocks have put tight end Jaheim Bell in the backfield often, and he’s gotten more carries than catches in 2022 with 11 and two, respectively.

Against the Bulldogs, the team must find a way to create balance on offense with its ball carriers.

INJURY RIDDLED DEFENSE

Five Gamecocks went down with injuries against Arkansas, with some not returning.

Jordan Strachan, Mo Kaba and Cam Smith all remained sidelined after their injuries, compromising the interior defense and the secondary. The team entered the game without defensive backs RJ Roderick and David Spaulding.

The banged-up defense struggled to defend, particularly in the run game. The size of Arkansas’ offensive line and running backs allowed the Razorbacks to put up 295 rushing yards.

Kendall Milton is Georgia’s primary ball handler, and he’s recorded 135 rushing yards this year. Unlike last week, the Gamecocks won’t be facing a team with a quarterback that runs often, so handling the Bulldogs running attack will be a tad more manageable for a defensive unit that’s trying to get healthy.

GEORGIA’S QUEST TO DEFEND NATIONAL TITLE

The Bulldogs enter SEC play in 2022 after winning the FBS national championship against Alabama last season.

Georgia’s road back will include a road game against the Gamecocks. The Bulldogs began the season as the No. 3 team in the nation, but climbed up after winning their first two games, including a 49-3 rout of Oregon in week 1.

UGA has outscored its opponents 82-3 through two games.

Georgia beat the Gamecocks in Athens last year 40-13.

GAMECOCKS AND BULLDOGS PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • Antwane Wells, WR, South Carolina: Wells has starred in his role through two games. He’s up to 15 catches for 244 yards. South Carolina likes to incorporate him in many of its passing plays, so look for Wells to receive plenty of targets from QB Spencer Rattler on Saturday.

  • Nick Emmanwori, DB, South Carolina: With injuries to the defensive side of the ball, Emmanwori has stepped up for South Carolina. In the first two games this year, he’s made plays for the Gamecocks and garnered praise from the coaching staff. He’s second on the team in tackles with 14.

  • Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia: Bennett guided Georgia to its national championship win last year and remains at the helm in 2022. He’s completed around 74% of his passes this year with 668 yards and three touchdown passes. Against USC’s injury-plagued defense, it’s possible Bennett continues his efficient season.

  • Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: Bowers ranks third in receiving yards for the Bulldogs with 95 on five catches. He could serve as an extra weapon in the passing game if Georgia looks to challenge the USC secondary, or help run block against the compromised interior of the Gamecocks.

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