Position Advantage: South Carolina Gamecocks vs Georgia

The South Carolina Gamecocks head to Athens, Georgia to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night. The Gamecocks have won 4 out of the last 5 meetings with the Bulldogs and look to add to that total. After dropping their SEC and home opener to Kentucky last week, the Gamecocks currently have a record of 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in the SEC East. Here is a look at who has the advantage at each position for Saturday’s game.

Quarterback

The Gamecocks and the Bulldogs are in similar situations at quarterback for the sole fact that both still have questions to be answered at the position. Greyson Lambert has been the starter so far this season and he has played ok. He hasn’t turned the ball over, but his stats weren’t eye popping in the game against Vanderbilt last week. Having a potent running back tandem has allowed the Bulldogs to not have to rely on the passing game as much.

Perry Orth will be getting his first collegiate start after Connor Mitch was injured in the first half of the Kentucky game. Orth lead a furious comeback but the Gamecocks inability to score touchdowns in the redzone led to their inability to win the game. Orth threw one pick as well that sealed the deal for Kentucky late in the fourth quarter. A win over Georgia would make Orth an instant Cinderella story due to the fact that he is a former walk-on.

Position Advantage: Georgia

Running Back

Nick Chubb is the name to watch for the Georgia Bulldogs. He is already receiving Heisman hype and through 2 games has 35 carries for 309 yards and 2 touchdowns. Like the Gamecocks, the Bulldogs lean heavily on the run game to get the offense going due to having unproven talent at the quarterback position. Sony Michel and Keith Marshall are the other two running backs Georgia utilizes, and both are home run threat type backs.

The Gamecocks have their own stable of running backs in Brandon Wilds, David Williams, and Shon Carson. Wilds had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season and has been vocal about getting more carries. Shon Carson has been a pleasant surprise this season and provided a heroic performance against UNC.

Position Advantage: Georgia

Wide Receiver

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Surprisingly the leading receiver on the Georgia Bulldogs so far this season is running back Sony Michel with 109 yards and 1 touchdown on just 4 catches. The lack of desire to pass the ball by the Bulldogs has led to somewhat poor looking statistics. The leading wide receiver is Malcolm Mitchell who has 7 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

The Gamecocks receiving corp is led by Pharoh Cooper who had his first 100 yard receiving game of the season against Kentucky. Deebo Samuel and Terry Googer need to step up and make some plays.

Position Advantage: Gamecocks

Tight End

Jeb Blazevich and the Jackson Harris are the two tight ends with a catch for the Bulldogs this season. Blazevich leads the way with 2 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Jerell Adams leads the way for the Gamecocks at tight end with 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown (a 33 yard one against Kentucky). Jacob “Dan” August also has a catch for 7 yards coming against Kentucky. The Gamecocks will need Jerell Adams catch the ball well if they want to open up the passing game for Orth.

Position Advantage: Gamecocks

Offensive Line

Georgia’s offensive line was proclaimed tops in the nation heading into the season, and so far they have lived up to the hype. Chubb has had massive running room and they’ve done a solid job protecting the quarterback.

South Carolina’s line has done pretty well in run blocking, but did allow Kentucky to get in the backfield and disrupt a few plays.

Position Advantage: Georgia

Defensive Line

Thanks to Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt utilizing a 3-4 defense, the defensive line does not have much of an opportunity to shine. The line is talented, however. Sterling Bailey was a monster against the Gamecocks in 2013 recording 10 tackles and a sack.

The Gamecocks defensive line has been very much improved from last season. Qua Lewis has been disruptive in the backfield and Darius English has 1.5 sacks on the season. The defensive tackles are a deep group with a lot of talent as well.

Position Advantage: Gamecocks

Linebacker

Sep 12, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) makes the hit on Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kentucky wins 26-22 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia has a very talented group of linebackers led by Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins. The two have combined for 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and 4 sacks so far this season.

Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton are a powerhouse duo in their own right also combining for 33 tackles so far this season. Skai Moore earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against North Carolina. He has 3 interceptions on the season and 10 for his career.

Position Advantage: Push

Defensive Backs

Georgia’s secondary gave up 300 yards in the air last week against Vanderbilt. They also intercepted 3 passes including a pick-6. The secondary also nabbed an interception against Louisiana-Monroe in the Bulldogs opening game of the season.

South Carolina secondary has been awful in the first half of ball games. Their inability to tackle and busted coverage have caused the Gamecocks to trail early in games. However, in the second half, the Gamecocks have been lights out. It’s like night and day. The group has solid talent but will miss starter Chris Lammons for the second week in a row.

Position Advantage: Georgia

Special Teams

Georgia kicker, Marshall Morgan, has not been needed much outside of extra point attempts. When he’s been needed he’s only connected on 1 of 3 field goals. From 30+ yards out he’s missed both attempts.

Elliott Fry has been needed a little bit more connecting on 4-6 field goals so far this season. He has failed to make a field goal from 30+ yards also. Sean Kelly has been money for the Gamecocks punting the ball, and the Gamecocks will need for him to continue that trend against the Bulldogs.

Position Advantage: Gamecocks

Next: South Carolina Gamecocks: Five Keys to Beating Georgia

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