The 11th ranked Georgia Bulldogs got a scare last week against Mississippi State but prevailed to improve to 5-2. Now they play another lower division SEC team when they travel to South Carolina to face the Gamecocks. South Carolina shocked the Bulldogs last year 20-17 in overtime as 20 point underdogs. The spread is the same this year, 20 points, so can the Gamecocks do it again?
(Late line movements and injury reports were updated on Friday evening.)
Line Movements:
The line has moved in favor of the visitors for this SEC East tilt during the week at most sportsbooks. Georgia opened as a 18.5-point favorite but that has barely moved during the week. As of Friday afternoon, the line can be found as Georgia -21 or -21.5 at the majority of sportsbooks. A solid majority, 63 percent, of the bets ATS are backing the Bulldogs giving the points in this contest.
The total for this contest has moved down slightly during the week. After opening at 50.5 points, the total currently sits at 49 or 49.5 points at most sportsbooks. There is a ridiculous majority, 93 percent, of the bets on the total that think this one will go over the total.
Game-time Weather: Temperature at kickoff is expected to be in the high-50s for this contest under mostly clear skies. The temperature will fall into the mid-50s during the game with a few clouds rolling in though there is no precipitation in the forecast. Winds are expected to blow from the north-northeast around four miles an hour with the gusts cranking up around five miles per hour.
Daniels lead Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs got all they could handle from the Mississippi State Bulldogs last week, but prevailed 31-24. They were 26 point favorites so it was a very shaky win over a 2-5 Mississippi State team. The trademark Georgia defense took the week off as Mississippi State racked up 356 yards, ,most of it through the air as Mississippi State threw for 336 yards. But the run defense was strong as Mississippi State only had 22 yards rushing. Mississippi State actually had more first downs than Georgia, 20-18.But in the shaky win, Georgia found a quarterback. JT Daniels, a transfer from USC, got his first start and he delivered. Daniels was 28 for 38 for 401 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions. It was a far cry from the run-first offense they have been for most of the season under Stetson Bennett, who injured his shoulder against Florida and missed last week's game. It's not clear who will start next week, but it is hard to imagine that Kirby Smart won't go with the the hot hand and start Daniels after last week's performance. The Bulldogs are now 5-2 and second in the SEC East, one game behind Florida.
Georgia Injury Report:
OUT: WR Dominick Blaylock, WR Tommy Bush, LB Walter Grant, DB Richard Lecounte, RB Kendall Milton, QB Jamie Newman, WR Marcus Rosemy
Questionable: QB Stetson Bennett, OL Owen Condon, DL Jordan Davis, DL Julian Rochester
South Carolina drops 4th straight
The South Carolina Gamecocks have been in a bad way as of late. They have lost four straight games to fall to 2-6. Most of their losses have been blowouts, but last week they managed to be pretty competitive against Missouri, losing 17-10. But, of course, it should be noted that Missouri's roster had been decimated by COVID-19 as many key players were out in quarantine or from the virus. The Tigers could barely field a team but they managed to play the game and come away with the win. So, when you look at it that way, not as impressive as it sounds for South Carolina.South Carolina only generated 283 yards of offense. Quarterback Luke Doty only threw for 130 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He also added 59 yards rushing while Kevin Harris had 58 yards rushing. They were well under their 25 points and 359 total yard per game averages.Heading into this game, the gamecocks have several key defensive players banged up, including linebackers Jahmar Brown and Sherrod Greene, as well as defensive lineman Alex Huntley. they are all questionable for Saturday's game.
South Carolina Injury Report:
OUT: LB Jahmar Brown, WR Randrecous Davis, OL Mark Fox, LB Sherrod Greene, DB Jaycee Horn, DL Brad Johnson, OL Trai Jones, RB Marshawn Lloyd, DB Israel Mukuamu, TE Keveon Mullins, OL Jordan Rhodes, DB R.J. Roderick, LS Hunter Rogers, OL Will Rogers, DL Makius Scott, WR OrTre Smith, DL Aaron Sterling, QB Jay Urich
Doubtful: WR Shi Smith
Questionable: DL Alex Huntley, WR Dakereon Joyner, WR Xavier Legette, DL Keir Thomas
Stats & Trends
- Bulldogs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Bulldogs are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games following a ATS loss.
- Bulldogs are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games in November.
- Gamecocks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
- Gamecocks are 2-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Gamecocks are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- Gamecocks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Gamecocks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Gamecocks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Gamecocks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Gamecocks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 conference games.
- Gamecocks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games in November.
- Gamecocks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
The Pick
Take the Bulldogs here giving up the points. The Gamecocks shocked the heavily favored Bulldogs last year but that's not going to happen this year. The Bulldogs are a 20 point favorite once again and this time they will cover. The South Carolina offense really struggled last week and against a very good Georgia defense, I don't see them doing much at all. Georgia is somewhat vulnerable to the pass but is great against the run. South Carolina doesn't have the passing attack to hurt them so look for the Bulldogs to stuff the South Carolina running game. Meanwhile, Georgia's new found air game should have a field day against a porous South Carolina defense. The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings between these two.