Does Andy Staples thread that needle?
Georgia at South Carolina
Pivot point for: BothThis game has been a trendy upset pick for so long that there is absolutely zero chance the Bulldogs overlook the Gamecocks. But there is ample reason to worry about this one for Georgia. The Bulldogs have recruited so well in the past two classes that by the end of the season, this roster should have jelled completely. In Week 2? It’s still possible Georgia is still trying to figure out how to replace the tangible and intangible benefits that Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Roquan Smith, Isaiah Wynn, Davin Bellamy, Lorenzo Carter, Jeb Blazevich and John Atkins provided. This team is stacked but lost a lot of veteran leadership, so the question is how quickly do the new leaders emerge? They may already be in place. Quarterback Jake Fromm, tight end Isaac Nauta and defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter played major parts on a team that won the SEC and came within a play of winning the national title. Even Georgia’s role players from last year—who are now becoming starters—have played in huge spots. The visit to Williams-Brice Stadium will show exactly how far along Georgia is in the process of turning its collection of athletes into a team that can compete for a second consecutive SEC title.
Kinda sorta, if you ask me. It would be foolish to pretend that replacing Roquan Smith is anything but a huge task. It would be just as foolish to pretend that Georgia will have the same team in Week 2 as it will in Week 13.
But Staples is absolutely right when he writes there’s no way Kirby and the rest of the staff is going to let South Carolina sneak up on this team. Nor is it like South Carolina isn’t facing a major rebuilding of its own on the defensive side of the ball.
I’m starting to think the difference in this game is going to come down to one team already being secure in its offensive skin and the other in the early stages of finding its way with a new scheme and coordinator. That’s ironic, perhaps, given the perception of both head coaches as defensive gurus.
Get The Picture 
I think Georgia just runs over these guys and they’ll open up the passing game. Wouldn’t be surprised if Georgia is up two or three scored by the half with this thing completely in hand by the end of the 3rd Quarter. Usually do not get too emotional regarding South Carolina; but the ‘smack’ coming out Columbia this summer has gotten to the point of comical…
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This game terrifies me because Columbia is our twilight zone, then I remember this ain’t 10, or even 4 years ago.
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Agree with Andy completely. We weren’t “overlooking” them in 2014, or 2012 or 2010, but twice it was the second game of the season and the team was still trying to jell. And even a team that had “jelled” like the 2012 team came in mid-season, made a few early mistakes, got behind the eight ball, and became overwhelmed.
We can rag on the delusional nature of their fans all we want, but the fact of the matter is that it can be an extremely intimidating place to play, as much as Neyland and Jordan-Hare, that could quickly overcome a youngish team still trying to replace key players. Kirby can pipe in all the noise he wants during practice, but there is no real way to prepare for the crowd noise, Sandstorm and seizure-inducing video board – underestimate at your own peril!
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The pivot point relies on SC’s O-line. If our D runs through them like shit through a goose and terrifies their QB, then the passes completed on our secondary won’t be enough to tilt the game. If their O-line is stout, there will be trouble in the first half and we will need good coaching to right the ship in the second.
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Didn’t you mean “shit through a tin horn”?
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Why is it always implied that Georgia will be working to figure things out in week 2 but South Carolina is just going to have their shit together?
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Thank you for pointing this out. SCAR is breaking in a new OC and a new Oline (4 new starters I think). Why won’t it take some time for them to jell?
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And not just a new OC. It’s also a hurry up offense.
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I thought that over too..I guess because it’s a home game for them and the place is right out of the twilight zone uncomfortable.
I think of WB stadium filled with hyper over excited, over-zealous, crazies as a scene right out of a Dr. Seuss book. His books are fun to read, but it would be a nightmare to find yourself living in one. Such is WB on a hot-assed late summer afternoon. It’s LSU crazy without LSU’s history. It’s LSU with a rooster instead of a Bengal Tiger. It’s Auburn with a chicken instead of an eagle. It’s Auburn with Clemson as a big brother instead of Alabama. It’s Alabama with lots of Phyllis’s. It’s hot.
The greatest thing would be if it would be pouring down rain that day.
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I have not been to Death Valley so I can’t comment on that, but I have been to an LSU-Auburn game on the plains, as well as Columbia for Georgia-SCU and I can tell you that Williams-Brice does not even come close to touching Jordan-Hare, so I can’t imagine it approaches Death Valley’s orbit.
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I’m saying that. It doesn’t approach those environments..but in their minds their rooster is a tiger, etc. It’s not intimidating..it’s just uncomfortable…Like sitting in traffic on I-75 in the summer with no air-conditioning, surrounded by tractor trailers.
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Why does everyone keep talking about it being hot in Columbia? We are not the University of Maine coming into a place with a climate we have never experienced. I’ve got a news flash for the people who talk about the weather, it gets hot in Athens too. Unless the chickens have found a way for their players to play the game on a cooler field than our players have to play on, the weather is a complete non factor in this game.
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It’s mostly just fun-based hyperbole.
As the game gets closer it will increase.
But it is hotter there than Athens.
Sitting anywhere in the South, in the Sun during Sept. can be uncomfortable.
I hope it rains.
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It is hot in Columbia on most every day in September, hotter than Athens, but that is not the point that should be considered as heat will wither any player, even if they all live in the south east. What has to be considered is who will be gain from having to play more of their 2nd and 3rd team players. If you think the 1st team talent gap is large and favors UGA, look at the next 2 levels, it is even wider. Heat isn’t the issue for UGA, it will hurt SC more.
The only factor that favors them is home field, but it doesn’t favor them enough. The other factor about playing them in the 2nd game also favors UGA, there is nothing to distract UGA. We have a cupcake before and after SC, they are exposed and sitting right out in the open. It would have been much better for them to be playing us in the middle to the end where we might be distracted by other events and opponents. The media is doing us a favor by making this a pivotal game and warning it could be an upset special. They should be warned, they will get our best shot on September 8.
We will pivot on their face. Lay the 10 points and build up a stash so you can play with house money for several months.
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Well thought out post, Mac! Let it be.
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Sorry. I basically repeated your post, but yeah.
Or really Hell Yeah.
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How many teams overlook their first conference game? Both teams will be ready to play no matter what the predictions/point spreads are. That is the worst analysis I continue to read about this game.
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Sides, I agree with ‘ya.
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How nice!
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Just run the ball and wear their ass out. That should always be the plan vs SCU.
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I think Kirby will make this a statement game. I’m sure he’s sick of hearing the upset talk and how the chickens are somehow going to have everything hitting on all cylinders in week 2 and the Dawgs are going to be fumbling in the dark trying to get everyone running the same play. They can play all the techno music and wave all the little towels they want, the talent on the field still has play the game.
i think we win by three touchdowns and the stadium is pretty well empty by early in the fourth.
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Don’t know about the three touchdowns but other than that, I agree. Earlier, I was worried about it (still am but not like before). SOS used to have the Gamecocks completely pumped up for this game, Boom can do that too, but he’s no SOS. I have to remind myself of that sometimes. Still..Munson would want us to be worried…so…
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I think it will be close for a quarter and a half but we go in up two scores at the half. The heat will be a bigger factor for the chickens than for us because our depth is much better and we will pull away late. If SC does indeed go with the hurry up, they will pay dearly if they have a few three and outs and our offense can get back on the field and grind out some long scoring drives that keep their defense on the field. I think they run out of gas in the third.
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Yeah, my inner Munson is growing fidgety. Too many “on paper” wins being thrown around for my liking.
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So, asking all the right questions about Georgia; but are there any questions at all about South Carolina? New offensive outlook, less talent across the board, less depth, lost their most effective player from last year’s game (Hurst) but get back an important offensive player in Samuel, and the tight relationship between Kirby and Will (like which one of those wants to lose to the other?) I appreciate that we’re focusing on UGA’s strengths and weaknesses, but there’s another team involved here and their questions are as if not more glaring, you know? But, Sandstorm, I guess?
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Seeing Holyfield’s interview yesterday calmed my nerves. He mentioned the responsibility of leadership and gave thoughtful answers to the questions he was asked. It was really a Nick Chubb type of performance..classy.
He is going to be a problem for DB’s when he clears the los and by the third quarter they will be raising their hands to come out.
I would pound them with HF and when they are getting weary, let Mr. Swift come blow past them.
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Passive aggressive gamecock nation face to face.
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Sackerlina getting Deebo back will be the biggest boost to them. I still think we win handily, but they will probably get in a few shots. As for the heat, I think our depth will come in handy.
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Of course.
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We better beat them bloody after this summer of smack talk!
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They in theory are looking to be the toughest SEC East game, and their schedule sets up nicely skipping Bama, Auburn, and LSU from the West.
It is a pivotal game and the single biggest must win at this point. UGA can survive a single loss from LSU or Auburn and still control their own destiny. A loss to SC means UGA must win out and SC needs 2 loss which shouldn’t happen (but this is SC)
Hype should be a part of this game. I think UGA wins grinding it out, by fewer than we hope but still 2 scores. If the kids are pumped on prepping for an upset alert then I don’t see a down side.
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