Georgia/South Carolina Spread, Odds, & Predictions
September 11, 2008
The Georgia Bulldogs have dropped to No. 2 in the polls despite winning their first two games by a combined 63 points. They are hoping that the start of SEC play Saturday will boost them back up to No. 1. But it won’t come easy considering their opponents will be South Carolina, a Gamecocks team that handed the Bulldogs one of its two losses last year. The Info Plays team previews the Georgia/South Carolina spread in this article. Larry Cook will be having a play in this game on his Saturday NCAA Football 11-Pack which can be purchased here for $24.95!
Georgia only dropped from its No. 1 spot in the polls due to USC’s dominant win at Virginia in their opener. The Bulldogs have only beaten Georgia Southern and Central Michigan, teams from the Championship Subdivision and the MAC, respectively. But they have looked very impressive in doing it. The Bulldogs racked up 1,087 yards of total offense. Running back Knowshon Moreno looks like the Heisman Candidate he was supposed to be this season, running for three touchdowns and 168 yards on 18 carries in a win over the Chippewas Saturday. Bet Georgia -7 at BetUs Sportsbook and earn a 50% sign-up bonus!
Head coach Mark Richt should have his team’s attention this week when Georgia travels to South Carolina. The Bulldogs had their national championship hopes crushed in the second week of the season last year, managing just four field goals in a 16-12 loss to the Gamecocks. QB Mathew Stafford will be asked to carry the load. He is supposed to be one of the nation’s best at his position, but he looked terrible against Steve Spurrier and South Carolina. In 2006 he saw significant action, but went on to throw three interceptions though the Bulldogs won 18-0. He came back in 2007 and went 19-of-44 passing while getting sacked three times and throwing another interception. Wager on South Carolina +7.5 at Sportsbook.com Here!
Stafford will be out to redeem himself this week, and he’s looked solid in the first two games under center. He’s completing 63.3 percent of his passes with four touchdowns. The Gamecocks have allowed an average of 181.5 yards in the first two games, which ranks 11th in the nation. They have allowed a mere 69.5 passing yards/game, which ranks tops in the country. Yet South Carolina found a way to lose against Vanderbilt last week. They did beat NC State 34-0 to start the year, surviving four interceptions thrown by their offense. Turnovers continue against Vanderbilt last week. Chris Smelley threw two interception and lost a fumble in their 24-17 loss. It was the second straight year they have lost to the Commodores.
Spurrier still has yet to make his decision on a starting quarterback this week. Both will likely see action. Smelley didn’t play in their win over Georgia last season. Which ever QB gets the nod, Smeller or C.J. Bacher, they’ll definitely be looking for receiver Kenny McKinley. This stud wideout caused Georgia some headaches last season. McKinley has seven catches for 102 yards in Athens last year. South Carolina has lost three straight home games to Georgia, scoring just 23 points total in those losses.