South Carolina
vs.
Georgia
SEC College
Football Pick
9/19/15
Not many expected this line to be so big in just the third week of the season, but that’s where we’re at. South Carolina has disappointed in its first two Games (even in the UNC win) and will now be without its starting quarterback. Georgia is a -17 point favorite at home against the Gamecocks (as of Wed at 5 Dimes).
There’s not much to like about South Carolina in this matchup, especially on the road against a team like Georgia. The Gamecocks were expected to show improvement this year, but that really hasn’t been the case so far and many are calling this a must-win Game for them, which seems a bit ridiculous. Steve Spurrier is on the ropes and many will be wanting his retirement if something positive doesn’t come out of this Game or season.
The problem for South Carolina is that they just haven’t looked good in the first two Games. While quarterback Connor Mitch is likely out for the season, it’s not like he was a Game changer. Perry Orth came in and moved the ball against Kentucky as they actually outscored the Wildcats in the second half 15-2, but lost 26-22 in the end. But if SC’s defense can’t stop Kentucky at home, how are they going to stop Georgia on the road?
The Bulldogs haven’t had many problems in their first two Games, although Greyson LAmbert hasn’t looked the greatest at quarterback. But the fact remains, Georgia is one of the best rushing teams in the nation and Nick Chubb is considered one of the frontrunners for the Heisman, as long as the Bulldogs keep winning. Through two Games, Chubb has 309 yards and two touchdowns, while backups Sony Michel and Keith Marshall combined for 181 more yards. against better teams, LAmbert may be an issue, but for now, he’s getting by just fine for this team, although a slow start hurt Georgia’s chances for covering against Vanderbilt last weekend.
The home team has won five of the last six meetings between these schools with South Carolina coming out on top last year 38-35. The home team is also 4-1 ATS in the last five matchups.
South Carolina’s defense looked better against the Tar Heels, but then gave up 207 yards and three TDs on the ground against Kentucky. Georgia has a better running Game than UK, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chubb go for another 200 yards on the ground. The Gamecocks will give up points, there’s no doubt about that, it may just be a matter of the offense putting points on the board themselves with Perry Orth getting his first start at quarterback.
Georgia hasn’t had a true defensive test yet, and it’s hard to say how much of one this Game will be. The Gamecocks haven’t shown much offensively yet. They’ll try and get as much as possible from running back Brandon Wilds (30 carries, 157 yards), but he hasn’t had much success against worse defenses than Georgia’s. If the Bulldogs get an early lead, it might require Orth to sling the ball out, which is basically what he did in the second half against Kentucky. He was decent, throwing for 179 yards, but in the end, he tossed what would be a Game-losing interception to give Kentucky its first road win in 23 tries.
Our Pick – Spurriers Gamecock teams are notorius slow starters. If you take a look at the history of this series you’ll find that 9 of the last 11 were decided by 11 points or fewer. Most of those were decided by 4 points or less. They know each other. They recruit from the same talent pool. Hard to believe South Carolina has fallen that far in such a short time.
The number here is just too big to pass up in a series like this. South Carolina +17