If South Carolina can upset Georgia on Sept. 8 at Williams-Brice Stadium, SEC Network host Peter Burns can say he called it early.
“I am picking South Carolina,” Burns told The State on Monday, the first day of SEC Media Days, which are being held this year at the College Football Hall of Fame. “Obviously, we are way too early and barring injuries and what not, I think that’s a win for South Carolina.”
The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will meet in the second week of the season at Williams-Brice Stadium in a game that will establish the early leader in the SEC Eastern Division. Georgia, the defending conference champion, is expected to be favored by Las Vegas and most analysts.
“When I heard (college football handicapper) Danny Sheridan’s comments about it was going to be two touchdowns, I laughed at that,” Burns said. “I can’t imagine that because (South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp) does such a good job. I don’t think Will has the defense he wants yet, but I think Will over the last two years has shown he knows where his deficiencies are, and he can mask those really well. To think that a Georgia team that may be more talented overall as a roster can come in there and whup South Carolina, I am not buying any of that.”
“… a Georgia team that may be more talented overall as a roster”. “May”? Seriously?
Get The Picture 
Things I would do before I picked a Will Muschamp team to win a game with offense:
hit on 17
get involved in a land war in Asia
mess with Texas
cross the streams
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Good for a chuckle. Thanks.
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The offense is definitely the wild card for SC this season. They have weapons but it has been pathetic the past two years. The D has been solid considering the talent level. I expect the D to continue to improve as TRob and Muschamp recruit.
If, and that is a big if, SC can score more points than they will be dangerous in the SEC this year.
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The hurry up looked like it helped Bentley in the spring game, but I’m still not convinced SC will have a decent running game this season. Secondary looks to be a big question mark.
The other question I’ve got is whether Muschamp is really willing to commit himself to a hurry up offensive scheme.
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I think you are missing the mark on the offensive scheme. They are running the hurry up to control the tempo of the game. It is not just to snap it fast and run more plays. It is getting to the LOS fast to see if players are out of allignment or favorable matchups, if not they will call plays from the sidelines and it will look like a conventional offense. I don’t think Muschamp would ever run an offense that puts his D in a bad position. From what I read, the hurry up is to find more holes in the running game. If the running game can take pressure of Bentley (a big if on the season), then he has weapons to put up big numbers and points.
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No, I get why they’re doing it. It’s what I saw in the spring game. And I do think Bentley reacted favorably to running it.
But it cuts against everything Muschamp’s done as a head coach. I wouldn’t dismiss the concern as casually as you seem to do.
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I honestly don’t remember the spring game being crazy up tempo, maybe I should watch it again. I did hear it stated that they would not show any plays that they didn’t run last year so all they changed was tempo (it also makes sense to run bunch of plays in a spring game). I would assume it would be difficult for the first SEC teams they play to game plan given the new coordinators.
The offense has been painful to watch for the past 3-4 years. The excitement is with McClendon working with Dan Werner. Its all positive but isn’t everything this time of year. The offense scored 17 points or less in 6 games last year (somehow won 2 of those). That doesn’t get it done in college football. Miraculously with that terrible offense that couldn’t run the ball to control the clock, the most points they gave up was 34 to Clemson. The D is and will be fine. The offense was very young the last 2 years to give them an excuse, it is time for them to put up points. If they do, they will surprise a lot of people.
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Exactly what is the difference, this year from last, that makes you think the O will be better – or is it a combination of new O running plays that are more amenable to the QB’s prowess along with an up tempo scheme? Wouldn’t you consider that Bentley’s injury near the end of the season will affect some QB running plays negatively from what was done last year?
Does SC look past the improvements that many of us think will happen in UGA’s O game this year? Straight up, we think that the O-line has improved, is deeper and will make a few more holes that agile RBs will cruise through and challenge any D secondary out there. More handoffs to Swift (who may be in the Heisman running this year according to a couple of pundits), in concert with Holyfield’s and Herrien’s game experience, may even be a step up from what was attained by Chubb and Michel last year, not to mention that the Freshmen #1 and #4 RB recruits in the nation will be vying for a spot. And that’s not mentioning the caliber of our QBs that will hand off to them and throw to an improved WR/TE group.
Curious minds would like to know.
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I can’t tell if you are serious or not. The second sentence of the first paragraph makes no sense to the point I think I am being mocked.
To answer your first question, I don’t think I said the offense would be better (I used if a lot). The difference from last year to this year on offense is a new coordinator and QB coach. The positives on the offense are the QB and receivers. Deebo and Bryan Edwards could be the best receiver combo in the SEC. Shi and Ortre Smith were highly recruited and forced into more playing time last year as freshmen. They were up and down but had some nice highlights. The big question is can the running game improve? If it does and if the offense scores more points this team could be very good.
I personally don’t see how any running back duo can be a step up from Chubb and Michele…from a talent or leadership position. It is hard to project an improved Georgia offense considering the talent/leadership loss.
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Maybe you’re right about that, but if the offensive line improves as much as I think it might, you may very well be wrong.
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Might be right, might be wrong. I think this qualifies me to be a pundit or an expert on TV.
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Your last paragraph answered my question. You should take a hard look at what has been printed about the RBs, the WRs and TEs and the two QBs available to up this UGA Offense. This is not meant to crumble your crystal castle over there, but knowledge can cushion a high fall from the skewed perception that SC is right there again as a big roadblock in the East for Georgia. Certainly not this year.
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I don’t see how my last paragraph answered your first two questions. You should take a hard look at learning to economize your words. It is impossible to read your writing. Practice by telling me how you plan to play those 2 QBs.
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Hey Sides, you want Carolina straight up for a $100?
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Money line?
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Don’t look for Swift to play against the chickens. That groin tear needs time and I don’t think week 2 will be enough time for the coaches and doctors to be fully confident in his rehab. That said, Holyfield and Herrien should be more than up to the task if our O line has improved as much as we are hearing.
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You heard what Roquan said last year when asked which back he least liked to tackle. “Holyfield!”
I recall R didn’t mind putting a lick on someone either ………
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SCU simply doesn’t have the depth on D to sustain or support a HUNH offense, and CWM ultimately will allow this at his peril. If SCU has more than a few three and outs or doesn’t have sustained drives, their D will be totally gassed by halftime.
I personally hope they go with a HUNH, as it will be nice to sit back in the second half and watch a totally helpless D out there getting gashed left and right while giving up 7+ yards a carry.
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Tug on Supermans cape. Spit into the wind and pull the mask off the Ole Lone Ranger..
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But you still shouldn’t go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
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Start a land war in Asia?
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It’s one of the classic blunders you should never fall victim to.
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supply lines get too long
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Hit on a hard 17, just to be clear
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I’d even go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
I suppose we could lose, but I’m going to be really, really surprised. Last year it started out “APP ST BEAT MICHIGAN ONCE!!!” Then, “NOTRE DAME ON THE ROAD TRUE FRESHMAN QB AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH.” Then “MISS ST IS GOING TO COME IN AND RUN ALL OVER YOU MULLEN FITZGERALD SMASHMOUTH!!!!” Pretty sure S Carolina was going to beat us last year, and in 2016 IN COLUMBIA SANDSTORM YOU KNOW THEY CANT BEAT US HERE, too.
BItches, please.
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I hope your Iocaine immunity is built up…
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HA!! Nicely done Doug.
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At least there is plenty of bulletin board material from the pundits. If you are USCjr, you are wanting them to shut the hell up at this point.
But I don’t think it matters anymore. This aint a CMR team. I think getting beat by those we are supposed to handle is in our past…
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Cue the drama rodent.
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Peter Burns? Never heard of him. Dari Nowkhah and Laura Rutledge are the only studio hosts on the SECN worth listening to. When analysts (outside of USCjr alumni) start picking the Cocks, I may start getting concerned.
Otherwise, I stand by the fact that Georgia is deeper and more talented than South Carolina across the board. On the staff front:
Kirby > Will
Chaney > McClendon
Tucker > Robinson
I agree with Danny Sheridan. On paper, Georgia should pop South Carolina. If the Process has taken hold in Athens, that’s exactly what’s going to happen in Columbia.
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Maria Taylor is the smartest and better one of the lot.
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Agree but she’s more on the mother ship, the WWL, at this point.
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Being a sports “analyst” hast to be the easiest job in the world. All you have to do is keep words coming out of your mouth. When you’re wrong, no one remembers.
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Or be a pretty blonde like Rutledge who has ZERO athletic ability, yet is allowed to comment on athletics…
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Also the same qualifications to be a regular guest on Fox News programming these days.
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like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
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She’s on Fox News, too?
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Yes, and NPR making a fool of herself.
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Got it. Not sure how referencing her was germane to my original joke, but glad to see they’re finally being truly fair and balanced with allowing people to make fools of themselves.
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Laura’s comments are the best thing on the SEC Net…IMHO…
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Agree, her commentary is fine. She definitely seems to know what she’s talking about.
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What’s so unthinkable about the team with a better roster coming in and thumping the team with the inferior roster?
Peter Burns has never seemed to be much more than a haircut to me, anyway.
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Just more fuel for the fire. I honestly think we’ll win by 2 TDs, but of course anything can happen.
I think Sackerlina will be better this year, assuming they avoid the key injuries they had last year. But the Senator’s point about committing to the HUNH is on point. The first few times that offense has a tired defense back on the field after a minute’s rest, I suspect Boom will ditch it.
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The stupid… it burns!!!
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Different years and different teams and all, but didn’t Georgia just go to Columbia two years ago and win by 14 despite the complete absence of a passing game? I’m pretty sure that was Will Muschamp coaching South Carolina, too.
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UGA may be more talented than SCU. Sure, and Charleze Theron may be more attractive than Rosie O’Donnell, Roquan may be more talented than a GT LB, and Saban may be a better coach than Mike Shula.
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And those oddmakers in Vegas, what do they know anyway?
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Dude, you’re really out on a limb here. But I like your crazy, overheated take on this one.
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History lesson…USC gave us problems when we played them in the 2nd game and the Adams/Williamson sports suspension complex would invariably have several players on our thin roster suspended. That BS seems to have stopped(knock on wood) and Muschamp is NOT Steve Spurrier. Don’t know or care what the Vegas spread is but straight up ya gotta take the dawgs. Sports commentators are like weathermen….excuse me…weatherpersons , they get paid even when they’re wrong…….they just are there to get us to watch….not be right.
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History Lesson Part 2 – Sakerlina played us tough and beat us even when we were the more talented team for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason for those Georgia teams not playing well and losing to a less talented team regardless of the excuses now resides in Coral Gables.
I keep on telling people this, and it’s becoming a broken record, but Mark Richt ain’t walking through that door.
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LOL in your face.
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It’s a different regime, HC, and athletes. History no longer has any bearing in this game, chicken eyed dreamers.
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Peter Burns because I didn’t remember to scrub my hands after slicing the jalapenos. ..Oh..and Peter Burns USCjrs hopes of catching the Dawgs uninspired.
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LOL!
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Yeah his folks really didn’t think that one through, did they?
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I’m glad I’m not the only one that happens to!.
Mrs. Cowdog upon entering the kitchen: “Got, you pervert! What are you doing to that glass of milk?!”
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By Labor Day, word on this game will either determine that Kirby is the GOAT of UGA HC’s or we’re in another throw-away season.
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Anyone feel like they are going to run this better than the Heisman Trophy winner and a team that has run this offense for more than the Spring game? I don’t. Granted we aren’t the exact same personnel on D as last year, but still..
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Didn’t we get the same kind of feedback the week before last year’s Miss St game? I think even Aaron Murray picked St over UGA. That was a straight up ass kicking-I don’t see this as being any different. Our guys are just sitting back, reading all of this, and banking it for a certain weekend in Sept.
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Wow Josh! That Kool-Aid must taste good.
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Tech has won more games against us recently than so car has come within 2 TD’s against us.
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S. Carolina .500 with UGA this decade
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Someone made a point earlier about all the UGA players suspended whenever we met SC with Spurrier. Hell, Spurrier even said that he loved playing us early because most of our good players would be missing, a jab at MR’s backing Adam’s play. That accounted for a few of those wins in SC’s .500.
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Fine, you can micro slice the record however you want to get to get the warm and fuzzies and highlight the glory of south carolina football and their dominance over the UGA Football Program. Let’s just only count so car’s victories in the series as reason to cower before this game. Calling a 3-4 record .500 this decade (with the three losses courtesy of Preacher Coach) is genuinely not the challenge for our 2018 squad in this game. It’s on the road, it’s early and against a fanbase/program that defines their miserable lives hoping a win makes them something other than a rivalry we don’t aknowledge. All tall orders not to be ignored that I assure you has the Coaching Staff’s attention (like the previous two years).
The fact of the matter is no member of this roster that ain’t a 5th yr Sr or the coaching staff has lost to South Carolina or failed to beat them by more than two touchdowns. Anything can happen in football/sports and doubling down on the outliers sure makes somebody look smart (make sure you throw a party and said I told you so) but the majority of our team is in the habit of beating so car soundly and back to back losses in ’11 & ’12 (that game SUCKED) kinda ain’t on their radar the way it is the fans’.
They have lost to tech at home in the same timeframe (and I expect that to be addressed in it’s proper time, too).
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It’s a simple observation by Boom. The HUNH offense is an attractive way to help a team compete against a team that has much better athletes. His competition is Georgia and he doesn’t have the athletes to compete, straight up, so limiting how the other team gets their specialized depth players on the field reduces that advantage at depth. When you look at teams that caused Alabama problems, almost all of them were HUNH. An observation made while Kirby was still at Alabama, is that he’s almost unbeatable by a traditional offense, but those defenses struggled at times against HUNH. Boom’s reasoning is as simple as that. He’ll never have the talent level that UGA has, he’ll need something different to compete or it will be all doom for Boom.
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Boom Doom, a new drink fostered by the UGA/SC game.
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“I don’t think Georgia’s going to get pushed a lot against Austin Peay in Week 1 so now with that fast-paced offense that Will and those guys are going to run, I think it’s prime for it.”
So South Carolina is going to get pushed a lot by Coastal? How does that make them better?
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Don’t agree with his UGA/USC comment, but Peter Burns was extremely high on UGA last year. Picked us to be the surprise of the SEC last year. He’s not anti-UGA.
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