The Georgia Bulldogs are the favorite to win the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship. With another title, the ‘Dawgs would be the first “three-peat” ever from the SEC, and they officially would establish themselves as the new college football dynasty, knocking off Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. On Saturday, Shane Beamer’s South Carolina football team hopes to throw a wrench in those plans.
The Gamecocks are significant underdogs heading into the week 3 matchup in Sanford Stadium. Georgia has not lost a game in Athens since they were knocked off by Will Muschamp’s South Carolina football squad in 2019 in one of the more unlikely results in recent memory of the border rivalry.
The two teams are in different situations than in 2019. Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks headed in a positive direction, while the 2019 USC team was on a downward trajectory. Georgia, however, is as good as it’s ever been, more than making up the difference in improvement made by Carolina during the same time span.
Gamecock quarterback Spencer Rattler has been among the best players in all of college football through week 2 of the 2023 season, but he hasn’t played a defense like the one he will see in red and black on Saturday. He was excellent against an improved North Carolina defense and FCS opponent Furman, Kirby Smart’s team is a different beast.
“Beast” is an appropriate word to use as Georgia has brought in 12 5-star defenders in the last three recruiting classes and an almost innumerable amount of 4-stars to go with them.
For years, Georgia has fielded the most talented (and often the best) defense in the land, and 2023 seems like it could be a repeat of that defensive dominance as they have outscored their opponents 93-10 through two games while surrendering under 500 total yards.
Pass rusher Mykel Williams will be a handful for a USC offensive line that gave up nine sacks to North Carolina in week 1. He is not the only All-American candidate on the Bulldog D, however, as defensive back Malaki Starks and linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson are studs at the second and third levels. Fellow preseason All-American Javon Bullard (safety) could miss the game with an ankle injury.
Seemingly the only weakness that exists on the Georgia team is that the offense is just really good instead of the elite unit that has been on the field the past two seasons. Carson Beck has taken over for Stetson Bennett at quarterback, and Mike Bobo has returned as offensive coordinator for the departed Todd Monken.
Receiver Ladd McConkey has not played this season for the ‘Dawgs and could be out again this Saturday, but UGA is still laden with weapons. Dominic Lovett and RaRa Thomas are big-time receivers, and Brock Bowers is the best tight end in the country. Branson Robinson and Kendall Milton are good backs, and the Bulldog o-line is among the best in the SEC.
With the struggles of the South Carolina defense, holding back Georgia’s attack, even if they are a tick below the best in college football, will be an unlikely outcome for this game.
The only path to potential victory for the South Carolina football team comes on the shoulders of the Gamecock offense. If offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains can lead Rattler and top targets Juice Wells (still nursing a foot injury) and Xavier Legette (currently 4th in the nation in receiving yards) in a shootout with UGA, a small chance at a win could present itself.
In addition to lighting up the scoreboard, the Gamecocks must not make the “other mistakes.” Taking care of the football, not missing the opportunities for takeaways, avoiding penalties, and winning the special teams battle will be all but necessities to knock off the national championship favorites.
It is a tall task, and it is one that might be too much for Shane Beamer’s South Carolina football team this weekend, but football is not played on paper. Saturday’s contest will be decided on the field at Sanford Stadium.
The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will kick off at 3:30 on CBS.