Georgia Football: What the Bulldogs Must Do to Control Gamecocks RB Mike Davis

The Georgia-South Carolina game could be the most physical game on the SEC schedule. Both teams are expected to run the ball often, which could lead to a low-scoring battle in which both defenses play at a high level.

South Carolina has the daunting task of taking on Todd Gurley, who rushed for 198 yards in the Clemson game nearly two weeks ago.

However, the Bulldogs will have the tough task of trying to stop Mike Davis, who torched UGA last year with 149 rushing yards and one touchdown.

As everyone should know, the Gamecocks were dominated by Texas A&M nearly two weeks ago in Columbia, but one of the reasons they lost as badly as they did was the fact that Davis was hampered by a rib injury suffered in the game.

He was able to bounce back against East Carolina with 101 yards and two touchdowns in the 33-23 win.

In order for the Bulldogs to come away with the win, they will have to contain Davis, just like South Carolina did to Gurley two years ago. But how do the Bulldogs go about doing that?

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“@gifdsports: Mike Davis 36 yard td run https://t.co/Xh6GV4QvDv” @Mike28davis turn up!

— Brandi Mills (@BrandiCMills) September 7, 2014"

When the Bulldogs played against Clemson in the season opener, they limited the Tigers to 102 rushing yards on 44 carries.

They were able to play the run effectively because all four linebackers (Amarlo Herrera, Ramik Wilson, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins) were able to get off their blocks and make tackles near of behind the line of scrimmage. The reason they were able to do that was the defensive line taking on the blocks and eating up space.

As such, nose guard Mike Thornton will play a big role in the South Carolina game, as he, James DeLoach and Sterling Bailey will go up against a veteran offensive line.

With that said, Thornton will go up against redshirt freshman center Alan Knott. Don’t be surprised if Thornton is lined up against Knott for the majority of the snaps, which could lead him to make some plays behind the line of scrimmage.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Like Gurley, Davis is a guy who gets better during the game. Therefore, the key for the defense is to attack Davis early and often—especially with his health issues.

Georgia's front seven will have to do what it did against Clemson in the second quarter, which is swarm to the football and not miss tackles. Davis is tough to bring down, but if the Bulldogs play fundamental football and don't over-pursue, they should be able to slow down Davis. In turn, that should lead to a win.

Because the Bulldogs have not scored more than 20 points in Columbia in 20 years and have not thrown a touchdown pass there in 10 years , the defense will have to play at a higher level than it did against Clemson.

Davis, who is an Atlanta native, will be amped up for this game and will not let the nagging injuries get to him. He is expecting a big game from himself.

If the Bulldogs want to be the favorite in the SEC East, the defense will need to have a dominant performance. That starts with shutting down South Carolina’s best offensive weapon.

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