There will be plenty of attention on the quarterbacks when No. 8 Georgia hosts South Carolina between the hedges on Saturday. But at least the Bulldogs have their starter. The Gamecocks will go with unproven junior Perry Orth in his first start, attempting to get the upset victory. South Carolina won four of the last five meetings, including a dramatic 38-35 victory last season, but those came when the team was ranked.
ODDS
Georgia opened as a 15-point favorite and early money on the home team jacked the spread as high as -18. The number has come down to its current -16.5. That’s a lot of points for a team that plays its best football against the Bulldogs. The total opened at 55.5 and tumbled to 51.5 when the Gamecocks lost their starting quarterback.
KEY MISMATCH
Run, run and run some more. That’ll be Georgia’s game plan because at this point it’s the strength of the offense. Nick Chubb ranks fifth in the country in rushing yards per game and is coming off a 189-yard effort on only 19 carries last week against Vanderbilt. Chubb has amassed 309 yards and his 8.8 yards per carry is tied for the best in the FBS among those with at least 30 attempts. Sony Michel came off the bench to run for 56 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown last week. He provides a versatile threat, capable of breaking big plays as a runner and a receiver. South Carolina allowed Kentucky to snap a 22-game SEC road losing streak last week and is allowing an average of 207.5 rushing yards – second worst in the conference.
KEY STAT
262.0 – Rushing yards per game for Georgia. The Bulldogs will ride Nick Chubb as far as they can because quarterback Greyson Lambert can’t complete a pass. South Carolina isn’t very good at stopping the run, allowing better than 207 yards per game.
BETTING ANGLE
It’s hard enough to play quarterback in the SEC, but when you’re a former walk-on making your first career start and it comes between the hedges, look out. That’s what South Carolina’s Perry Orth has to look forward to. Orth, who had attempted just three passes in two years, saw the first significant game action of his career last week after starter Connor Mitch went down with a sprained right shoulder. He completed 13 of 20 attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown, but threw a critical interception late in the fourth quarter with the Gamecocks driving. “He’s been here three years now, earned a scholarship preseason, so if we can protect him and get some guys open he’s very capable,” coach Steve Spurrier said of his junior quarterback. There is some history on South Carolina’s side. The Gamecocks are 4-1 in the last five meetings, but they were ranked in those games.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Gamecocks have had Georgia’s number recently, winning four of the last five meetings, and Spurrier loves playing Georgia. He loves it more when he beats Georgia. So, no matter who’s at quarterback, the Gamecocks will be ready to play. Unfortunately they just don’t have the horses. The run defense has been shaky and that’s not good with Chubb on the other side of the line. The Gamecocks will stack the box to stop the run and the Bulldogs will need to make some plays down the field to keep them honest. That falls in the hands of Lambert, who was shaky last week against Vanderbilt, throwing for only 141 yards and not completing his first pass until the third quarter. Orth will make the most of his first start and the Gamecocks will be strong defensively to cover the spread, but too much Chubb will lead to a Bulldogs win.
Georgia 34, South Carolina 23
BookMaker opened the spread for this game at -15 in favor of the Bulldogs. The NCAA lines total surfaced at 55.5. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Georgia Bulldogs will take place Saturday, September 19, 2015, at 6 p.m. ET at Sanford Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
