Could the Head Ball Coach 'Pull a Spurrier' and Upset Georgia?
Georgia is 2-0, ranked No. 7 and looks like the most complete team in a down SEC East through two weeks of the season.
South Carolina is 1-1, lost its starting quarterback, just got upset at home by Kentucky and looks like a mess.
So naturally, South Carolina is going to win by three touchdowns, because that'd be par for the course for Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The Gamecocks have owned the Bulldogs of late, winning four of the last five including last year's 38-35 thriller in Columbia in which the Gamecocks also entered 1-1 with questions abound.
Can the Head Ball Coach do it again?
Don't be so quick to write off the possibility.
While the offense is loaded with questions following the injury to starting quarterback Connor Mitch, the defense is actually playing pretty good football. Led by defensive ends Marquavius Lewis and Darius English, as well as new defensive tackle Dante Sawyer, the Gamecocks have five sacks on the year after notching just 14 in 13 total games in 2014.
Against Kentucky, the Gamecocks allowed just two second-half points and forced an interception on the Wildcats' first possession of the game. It was what happened in between that cost them.
"We started fast," said defensive line coach Deke Adams, according to quotes released by South Carolina. "We got the interception early, then I think we just went into a relaxed mode after that first series, thinking things were going to happen. (Kentucky) kept playing and we didn't. We dug a hole for ourselves. We played a great second half and did a lot of really good things, but we just didn't get it done."
Other than the vaunted rushing attack led by Nick Chubb, is there anything in Georgia's offense that should strike fear into South Carolina?
No.
Quarterback Greyson Lambert didn't complete a pass until the second half of last week's 31-14 win at Vanderbilt, running back Sony Michel is the Bulldogs' leading receiver and new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer hasn't done a lot to inspire confidence in Bulldogs nation through two games.
Despite that, head coach Mark Richt isn't worried.
"First of all, be free to call whatever we think is good," he said, according to quotes emailed by Georgia. "Don't feel like we have to run for X amount of yards or get the ball to (Nick) Chubb so many times. When I've always called plays over the years, you certainly want to use your skill players the best you can and use the talent that you have, but just feel free to attack the defense in the game the way we attacked it all week in the film room. Call what we believe and let's go."
What if "Plan A" gets stopped?
Granted, slowing Chubb is no easy task. After all, he's topped the 100-yard mark in 10 straight games. But the Gamecocks are playing much better defense than a year ago, and if they can keep him in check—by Chubb standards—it can give the offense a puncher's chance.
Can that offense punch back, though?
New quarterback Perry Orth completed 13-of-20 passes, threw a touchdown and tossed a pick in the loss to Kentucky. With a full week to prepare as the unquestioned starter, he should be better prepared this week.
"He's a walk-on kid who earned a scholarship this year," Spurrier said. "He's a good passer. Not much of a runner. We've got to protect the passer like all teams have to do, and get some guys open. If we can do that, we'll have a chance to hit some passes."
| 1990 | W, 38-7 |
| 1991 | W, 45-13 |
| 1992 | W, 26-24 |
| 1993 | W, 33-26 |
| 1994 | W, 52-14 |
| 1995 | W, 52-17 |
| 1996 | W, 47-7 |
| 1997 | L, 37-17 |
| 1998 | W, 38-7 |
| 1999 | W, 30-14 |
| 2000 | W, 34-23 |
| 2001 | W, 24-10 |
| 2005 | L, 17-15 |
| 2006 | L, 18-0 |
| 2007 | W, 16-12 |
| 2008 | L, 14-7 |
| 2009 | L, 41-37 |
| 2010 | W, 17-6 |
| 2011 | W, 45-42 |
| 2012 | W, 35-7 |
| 2013 | L, 41-30 |
| 2014 | W, 38-35 |
Besides, this is Spurrier, and beating Georgia takes on special meaning for him dating back to his days at Florida. He's 6-5 overall vs. Richt and 16-6 vs. Georgia as the head coach of both Florida and South Carolina, according to game notes emailed by South Carolina.
Despite that, Spurrier tried to downplay it when asked specifically about the rivalry.
"I say it's one of our rival games, but I'm not sure it is for Georgia," Spurrier said. "Georgia's got too many other rivals and we hadn't beaten them enough for them to worry about us too much."
Will this be a "Spurrier special." Georgia is a 16.5-point favorite, according to OddsShark.com, but it has been known for an inexplicable loss or two every year.
Given South Carolina's laundry list of issues, this one would be about as inexplicable as it gets. But don't discount the possibility of this being close.
After all, Spurrier has the Bulldogs right where he wants them.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Statistics are courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
