South Carolina Football: Can the Gamecock possibly beat Georgia?

Is it remotely possible that the South Carolina football team comes into Athens and shocks Georgia this week? When ranking the excitement factor of each game on the schedule in the week prior to the North Carolina game, our author did not seem hopeful for such a possibility. However, the scenario in which he gave for such an event included Carson Beck not playing up to expectations and Spencer Rattler having a career game.

While the Gamecocks lost their first game of the season and struggled early against Furman in week 2, that aforementioned scenario is certainly plausible. Carson Beck, against UT Martin and Ball State, was unspectacular.

Spencer Rattler, on the other hand, has thrown for an average of 349.0 YPG, completing 55 of 66 passes for an 83.3% completion percentage and a 3:0 TD:INT ratio. For the first time in recent memory against Georgia, South Carolina has the clear better quarterback in the matchup.

Rattler’s offensive line has looked shaky (to put it mildly) to start the season, and they need to be on their A+-game Saturday against a huge Georgia line if South Carolina football wants a chance to pull the upset.

If that happens, however, with other factors, the Gamecocks could stand a chance. What all needs to happen for the upset of the century for Shane Beamer’s South Carolina football team? Well, a lot of things, starting with the aforementioned offensive line.

Before those factors are discussed, however, it is important to note the Gamecocks have gone into Athens and won as an unranked underdog as recently as 2019.

However, that victory, as exciting as it was, was a statistical miracle. The Gamecocks got outgained 468 yards to 297, committed 11 penalties to Georgia’s 6, only had 16 first downs to Georgia’s 30, and had just 4.8 yards per pass. The one stat that made the 20-17 OT victory possible was a +4 TO margin in favor of the Will Muschamp-led South Carolina football squad, which in all likelihood will not repeat Saturday.

This year, two very different programs face off in between the hedges. Besides quarterback, almost every other position seems to favor the Bulldogs. Unlike 2019, however, the South Carolina football program has SEC talent across the board, which matters, even if Georgia’s entire 2-deep seems destined for the NFL. There is a talent disparity, but not as big as 4 years ago.

The offensive line cannot replicate their performance against UNC if the Gamecocks even want to cover the spread. Nine sacks again could mean a complete disaster for the Carolina offense. In both pass and run protection, the big men need to do their jobs, no matter the difficulty of having to stop the typically massive Georgia front line (that surprisingly only has one sack through two games).

It’s inevitable that one or two Bulldogs will reach Rattler in the pocket Saturday, but limiting the damage is huge. If the offensive line can hold Georgia to 3 or less sacks, they’ll give Rattler a chance to play hero.

New quarterback for Georgia Carson Beck hasn’t been the most accurate thrower against two sub-par opponents. It’s a small sample size, but it’s evident that the offense is in the process of knocking off some rust, as the Gamecocks had to do against Furman.

The Carolina secondary is better than any that Carson Beck has thrown at in his career, and if he doesn’t start quickly, Rattler could give Carolina an early lead. In order to win this game, South Carolina has to stop Georgia on one of their first two drives.

Speaking of defense, South Carolina football defensive coordinator Clayton White needs his unit to shore up their run defense after giving up 168 yards on the ground on opening day against North Carolina. While they halved that mark against Furman, it’s important to grade that with a curve.

Georgia is dealing with some injuries in the backfield, as Branson Robinson is out for the season with a patella injury and Daijun Edwards has missed the first two games for the Bulldogs, although he is expected back.

Roderick Robinson Jr. and Kendall Milton have split RB1 duties for the first two weeks, and Robinson especially has looked sharp. If South Carolina can hold that duo to less than 90 yards combined on the ground and make Carson Beck throw it consistently, they’ll have a chance.

In the South Carolina secondary, questions remain regarding availability, which can be argued is the best ability. Nick Emmanwori returning is crucial for the Gamecocks, even with freshman Jalen Kilgore playing excellent in his absence. Keenan Nelson Jr. and David Spaulding returning could be huge for the Carolina secondary, as they’ll have to deal with Brock Bowers, Rara Thomas, and Dominic Lovett.

One notable name in absentia on the list is Ladd McConkey, who is dealing with a back injury and hasn’t played this season. If McConkey can’t suit up, life gets a lot easier for the Gamecock defensive backs. (Nothing is truly easy against Georgia, though, of course.) Picking off Beck once could shift momentum in the SEC opener. If the Gamecocks can force Beck to make at least one turnover, they can stand a chance.

Additionally, South Carolina’s ground attack has to put up more than the -2 yards they collected against UNC in the first game of the season. It doesn’t have to be a full-fledged rushing attack against the Bulldogs, and it shouldn’t be with the way Rattler can throw, but getting at least 100 yards on the ground as a team (not including yards lost to sacks) could be a big pressure reliever on the Gamecocks’ star QB and give them a chance to score enough points to win the game.

Yet another factor is the Gamecock receiving corps. It can’t just be Xavier Legette, there’s got to be more contributors. The health of Antwane Wells will be a big question mark. While he’s active, he’s been limited while dealing with an injury, with just one catch for five yards through two games.

Meanwhile despite Legette’s big games, (he’s averaging 148 YPG) the rest of the receivers need to make their mark. No receiver besides Legette has even reached 90 yards over 2 games, and converted QB Luke Doty is the team’s 4th leading receiver at the moment. If the Gamecocks want to win this game, more than one receiver will have to go for 60 yards against this Georgia defense, a mark that was reached last week, albeit against a FCS opponent.

Getting past Malaki Starks will likely be Xavier Legette’s duty, but if Georgia safety Javon Bullard can’t suit up, (he’s currently questionable) the day is made a bit easier for the Gamecock receivers, including de-facto #2 Eddie Lewis with Antwane Wells and Ahmareaon Brown dealing with injuries.

And, finally, as mentioned in the former article, Rattler still needs to have the game of his life. Similar to Stephen Garcia against #1 Alabama back in 2010. Rattler is more than capable of doing so, as he looks to have improved tenfold over the past 5 games compared to early last season. If there’s a QB on Georgia’s schedule that can carve up their secondary, it’s Rattler. If he throws for over 250 yards with a 65%+ completion percentage, the Gamecocks can win.

Long story short, it’s a long shot, but yes, it is technically possible. The chances of a South Carolina football victory are about the same as flipping a coin to land on heads 5 times in a row. Possible? Yes. Unlikely? Definitely. About a 3% chance. Rattler has to have a phenomenal game, the secondary has to force a turnover, more than one receiver has to step up, at least one running back has to have a good game on the ground, the offensive line has to limit the sacks, the ‘Cocks have to start well, and the defense needs to stop the Georgia run game.

If all that happens, the Gamecocks have a chance. Absolutely be surprised if it happens, I’m not saying it’s a guarantee or even a close-to-likely scenario. This is a fever dream at best. Go storm Five Points if it happens. Because there is a slight possibility. Don’t say I didn’t say so.