College Football’s Top 25 Games: #5 Georgia @ South Carolina 10/6

The SEC East title might be on the line relatively early in the season in Columbia, when the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs square off at Williams Brice Stadium. These two teams have played quite the rivalry over the course of the last few years, and this year should be no exception. Both of these teams were ranked in the Top 10 in the Preseason AP Poll, and they are both in the Top 6 in the land right now. Join us for our South Carolina vs. Georgia picks and predictions for what could be one of the best games of the season in the SEC.

Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks Picks & Info
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks Date: Saturday, October 6th
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks Location: Williams Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks Spread: South Carolina Gamecocks (-2)

The Dawgs started off the season in poor shape last year, losing their first two games of the season. They were in a heck of a lot of trouble at that point, and Head Coach Mark Richt was probably on his way out the door. UGA rolled to 10 straight wins to end the regular season though, and it ultimately went to the SEC Championship Game as a result. QB Aaron Murray is expected to be one of the best in the SEC this year, especially knowing that this is his third year as a starter. The Dawgs aren’t going to have RB Isaiah Crowell, who was kicked off the team, but there are still some sturdy backs in the backfield to help carry the load. Thus far, Georgia’s problem has been with its defense, which has been bipolar at times. The unit is clearly going to be up against it versus the powerful Gamecocks offense, which features one of the most underrated offensive lines in the country. This defense for the Bulldogs though, has allowed at least 20 points in four of their five games this year, and considering the fact that there hasn’t been a great team on the schedule yet, that’s definitely a cause for some concern.

Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: South Carolina 45 – Georgia 42
2010: South Carolina 17 – Georgia 6
2009: Georgia 41 – South Carolina 37
2008: Georgia 14 – South Carolina 7
2007: South Carolina 16 – Georgia 12
2006: Georgia 18 – South Carolina 0
2005: Georgia 17 – South Carolina 15
2004: Georgia 20 – South Carolina 16
2003: Georgia 31 – South Carolina 7
2002: Georgia 13 – South Carolina 7
2001: South Carolina 14 – Georgia 9
2000: South Carolina 21 – Georgia 10
1999: Georgia 24 – South Carolina 9
1998: Georgia 17 – South Carolina 3
1997: Georgia 31 – South Carolina 15
1996: South Carolina 23 – Georgia 14

South Carolina has really made a nice renaissance here over the course of the last half dozen years or so under Head Coach Steve Spurrier, and this should be yet another great year with at least eight or nine wins. The fact of the matter is that this team is bringing back 13 starters, many of which are still young and quite talented. RB Brandon Wilds is just a sophomore, and RB Marcus Lattimore and QB Connor Shaw are just juniors. WR Ace Sanders is also a junior. DE Jadeveon Clowney is one of the best defenders in the nation, and he just a sophomore as well. Times are clearly only going to be getting better here for the Gamecocks, though it is clear that this is going to be a test of epic proportions against a fantastic UGA squad. South Carolina knows that this is the best chance that it has had over the course of the last several years to make it to the BCS for the very first time, and though that still doesn’t seem likely, it would really be virtually impossible if this game happened to be lost.

Georgia @ South Carolina Free Picks^^: There is a reason that this point spread is oh so close. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks are both great teams, and this should be the war of all wars in the SEC East this year. We do expect that the winner of this game is going to be the one that goes to the SEC Championship Game. Home field advantage is crucial for the Cocks, but in the end, we still think that Murray has the ability to come on the road and beat any team in this side of this conference. Back the Bulldogs for your college football picks.

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