Cox vs The Cocks
At 7pm on Saturday Joe Cox (contrary to the recent rumors) and the Georgia Bulldogs (0-1,0-0) will tee it up between the Hedges against the South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0, 0-0). South Carolina brings a stout defense, questionable special teams, and a pathetic offense into this year's tussle with the men in Red and Black.
Offense-One would have never thought that in 5 years in Columbia Steve Spurrier would fail to produce an exceptional quarterback (or for that matter an AVERAGE quarterback). In last weeks game against NC State the Gamecocks were only able to manage 256 total yards of offense (148 pass, 108 rush) and 7 points which ranks them last in the SEC in all offensive categories except rushing (I will give you one guess who rushed for less yards last week.). This week against the Dawgs expect to see a heavy dose of RB Brian Maddox (23-66-1TD) who seemed to be the only weapon the Cocks had last week. Being a Spurrier offense you can also expect them to "sling it around the yard" a bit also (although hopefully Garcia will complete a few passes to our DB's as well as his own players). With the Dawg D playing well last week against a much more explosive opponent and the relative ineptitude of the SC Offense I don't expect these guys to be able to muster very many points.
Defense-Ellis Johnson is one of the best DC's in the SEC and the NCAA as a whole. He always seems to put a quality D on the field no matter the talent level or inexperience of his players. All SEC LB Eric Norwood is just two sacks away from the all time record at South Carolina. Add to that the return of DE Clifton Geathers (convienient isn't it?) and solid play along the line and in the secondary and the Dawg O will really have its work cut out for it on Saturday night. Expect pressure from all angles, good pursuit to the ball and hard tackling from this group. It is going to take a great effort by Joe Cox and the boys to put up points on this very good defensive team.
Special Teams-With the graduation of Ryan Succoup, South Carolina is breaking in a new kicker this year as Freshman K Spencer Lanning getting the call. Lanning was 1-1 on PAT's against NC State, but missed a 27 yard FG . Lanning also will handle the punting duties for SC. Chris Culliver was the primary kick return man last week and averaged 19.5 yds per return, two players returned puts for the Cocks against NC State with Akeem Auguste returning two kicks for a 3.5 yd average and Devin Taylor returning one for 12 yards. The USC kicking team allowed 2 returns for 39 yards (19.5 yd average) and 2 punt returns for 42 yards (21 yd average). This unit struggled in its opener against NC State and can't afford to miss opportunities against the Dawgs this week in what is sure to be a low scoring game.
Overall this is one of the least talented teams in the Spurrier era across the board. There are some very good players on the field but each unit has holes to fill. I expect the Offense to struggle to move the ball and the Defense to keep the Dawgs from moving the ball as well. This game is going to come down to special teams and which Defense can come up with a key turnover. In typical Georgia/South Carolina fashion this one should come down to the 4th Quarter and end up 17-10 with either team being capable of winning.
Until next time: GO DAWGS!!
Offense-One would have never thought that in 5 years in Columbia Steve Spurrier would fail to produce an exceptional quarterback (or for that matter an AVERAGE quarterback). In last weeks game against NC State the Gamecocks were only able to manage 256 total yards of offense (148 pass, 108 rush) and 7 points which ranks them last in the SEC in all offensive categories except rushing (I will give you one guess who rushed for less yards last week.). This week against the Dawgs expect to see a heavy dose of RB Brian Maddox (23-66-1TD) who seemed to be the only weapon the Cocks had last week. Being a Spurrier offense you can also expect them to "sling it around the yard" a bit also (although hopefully Garcia will complete a few passes to our DB's as well as his own players). With the Dawg D playing well last week against a much more explosive opponent and the relative ineptitude of the SC Offense I don't expect these guys to be able to muster very many points.
Defense-Ellis Johnson is one of the best DC's in the SEC and the NCAA as a whole. He always seems to put a quality D on the field no matter the talent level or inexperience of his players. All SEC LB Eric Norwood is just two sacks away from the all time record at South Carolina. Add to that the return of DE Clifton Geathers (convienient isn't it?) and solid play along the line and in the secondary and the Dawg O will really have its work cut out for it on Saturday night. Expect pressure from all angles, good pursuit to the ball and hard tackling from this group. It is going to take a great effort by Joe Cox and the boys to put up points on this very good defensive team.
Special Teams-With the graduation of Ryan Succoup, South Carolina is breaking in a new kicker this year as Freshman K Spencer Lanning getting the call. Lanning was 1-1 on PAT's against NC State, but missed a 27 yard FG . Lanning also will handle the punting duties for SC. Chris Culliver was the primary kick return man last week and averaged 19.5 yds per return, two players returned puts for the Cocks against NC State with Akeem Auguste returning two kicks for a 3.5 yd average and Devin Taylor returning one for 12 yards. The USC kicking team allowed 2 returns for 39 yards (19.5 yd average) and 2 punt returns for 42 yards (21 yd average). This unit struggled in its opener against NC State and can't afford to miss opportunities against the Dawgs this week in what is sure to be a low scoring game.
Overall this is one of the least talented teams in the Spurrier era across the board. There are some very good players on the field but each unit has holes to fill. I expect the Offense to struggle to move the ball and the Defense to keep the Dawgs from moving the ball as well. This game is going to come down to special teams and which Defense can come up with a key turnover. In typical Georgia/South Carolina fashion this one should come down to the 4th Quarter and end up 17-10 with either team being capable of winning.
Until next time: GO DAWGS!!
posted by Brett at 11:37 AM
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