Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Odds: Analysis, Prediction

The South Carolina Gamecocks, who have gotten off to a disappointing start this year with an 0-2 mark against the spread, welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to Williams-Brice Stadium for a key early-season SEC matchup on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week and hope to build on their promising 45-21 rout of Clemson that has many believing they could challenge for the conference title.

Bulldogs vs. Gamecocks Point spread: The Bulldogs opened as three-point favorites and bet to 5.5 points by Wednesday, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark, which had the total around 60 points (line updates and matchup report).

Why the Georgia Bulldogs can cover the spread

Georgia looked great in their season-opening win over the Tigers, easily covering the 9.5-point line. Heisman Trophy candidate Todd Gurley ran wild over Clemson, rushing for 198 yards and three touchdowns to go along with a 100-yard kickoff return for another score.

Gurley also ran for 132 yards in last season’s 41-30 win over South Carolina at home, with the Bulldogs covering as 3.5-point home favorites. Despite that victory, Georgia had high expectations last year and ultimately fell short, but the Bulldogs seem intent on making up for it this season by making a run at the SEC championship.

The only way to do that is to keep winning league games like this one, and the Bulldogs have won five straight games after a bye.

Why the South Carolina Gamecocks can cover the spread

While Georgia has won five in a row following a bye, the Bulldogs are just 1-5-1 ATS in their past seven under that scenario and have gone 1-5-1 ATS in the last seven meetings with South Carolina.

That bodes well for the Gamecocks, who have underachieved thus far and have yet to play their best game this season. South Carolina has still won seven of its last eight games dating back to last year, including the Citrus Bowl win against Wisconsin.

The Gamecocks were also 6-0 ATS in their last six games before starting out this year 0-2 versus the line, so maybe playing a tough conference opponent like Georgia here will bring out the best in them.

Smart Pick

While Georgia’s big win over Clemson was impressive, bettors do not know enough about this team yet and should not feel comfortable backing a road favorite that needs to win by a touchdown or more.

South Carolina is 22-1 straight up in its last 23 home games and 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings with the Bulldogs. The key to this game for the Gamecocks is containing Gurley and making Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason beat them.

South Carolina has allowed only 13 points combined at home in the last two meetings with Georgia, and this is a spot where the defense needs to step up and play much better than the first two games.

Watch for the Gamecocks to make bettors forget about their first two games by covering and possibly pulling off the upset.

Trends

• Georgia is 3-7-2 ATS in its last 12 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 13 of South Carolina's last 16 games when playing Georgia.
• Georgia is 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven meetings with South Carolina.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury updates and line move updates and get the free odds-tracker app.