Georgia Bulldogs Lose to South Carolina: SEC East Title Probably Out Of Reach

Georgia’s four-game winning streak in Williams-Brice Stadium ended today with a 17-6 loss to South Carolina. It was Mark Richt’s only defeat in Columbia and his largest point deficit against the Gamecocks.

The defeat means Georgia has lost control of their destiny in the SEC East.

Assuming Florida gets their act together, the Gamecocks continue to play well, and Tennessee struggles, Georgia is likely third-in-line for the title game. In the SEC, that's a big reach.

A few stats tell most of the story behind Georgia’s loss. They had 11 first downs in the entire game, converted only three of 11 third downs, and rushed for a meager 61 yards.

They also inexplicably used up all of their timeouts with 7:09 minutes left on the clock in the third quarter. Predictably, their lack of timeouts became a factor late in the fourth quarter when they weren’t able to stop a final drive by South Carolina that ate up 7:05 on the clock.

Georgia missed a few opportunities to turn the game around.  The biggest mistake came late in the third quarter. At second and goal on the South Carolina eight yard line, Washaun Ealey (RB) rushed four yards then fumbled the ball. The Gamecocks’ Stephon Gilmore (CB) recovered.

It was Georgia’s last chance to close the gap.

Although the Bulldog's offense scored no touchdowns, quarterback Aaron Murray had good moments. He was calm under pressure, made good decisions and didn’t give up an interception. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 192 yards.

On the plus side, they got five sacks and stopped a South Carolina drive on the one-yard line at the end of the fourth quarter.  Justin Houston (OLB) forced a fumble that was recovered by Christian Robinson (ILB). The offense couldn’t convert Robinson’s recovered fumble once Ealey coughed up the ball four yards from the goal line.

On the down side, Georgia’s defense gave up 354 yards and let the Gamecocks convert on nine of 14 third downs. Freshman-sensation Marcus Lattimore (RB) was responsible for 189 of South Carolina’s yards and handled 38 of their 64 executed plays. He simply bulldozed his way through Georgia’s line.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was another clutch player for the Gamecocks. He caught seven passes for 103 yards.

Georgia’s defense was outrun and the offense could not produce.

A.J. Green’s loss was deeply felt. Without him, there was no one to make big plays or keep South Carolina’s secondary occupied.

Georgia had little production on the ground. Carlton Thomas rushed for one yard, Ealey for 75, and Aaron Murray lost fifteen yards.

The dogs went three-and-out on their last four possessions. At the end of the fourth quarter on third and 10, Murray was sacked for a loss of seven yards. Game over.

Fans—what does Georgia's loss mean for the rest of their season? How will the SEC East shape up?Comment below.