During the football season, one of my most cherished Friday afternoon rituals is cruising the major online sports sites during my lunch break. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be too terribly surprised to find that the national media aren't giving South Carolina much of a shot against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens on Saturday.  But what I saw this year was almost enough to make me cough leftover mushroom stroganoff all over my keyboard. Over on CBSsports.com, only Dennis Dodd and Tom Fornelli are giving us any love in Saturday's contest. On ESPN.com, the mood is similar. Vegas seems to think the Gamecocks will pull out a close one, but the measly three-point spread isn't exactly a resounding vote of confidence. So what gives, you ask? Here are my five best guesses.    Begin Slideshow

The South Carolina Gamecocks hit the road to Athens, where they will face some angry Georgia Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN, and surely this will be an instant SEC classic as this game has early implications on the SEC East title race. South Carolina enters the contest with a 1-0 record and ranked No. 12 in the AP polls after getting past East Carolina by the score of 56-37. Georgia on the other hand fell victim to the efficiency of Kellen Moore as they lost 35-21 in the Georgia Dome to the Boise State Broncos. This game means a lot to both teams in the race for the SEC East. Also for USC, this game factors into their goal of a BCS berth in 2011. Drilling it down for Georgia on what the outcome means for them, well look no further than the hot seat occupied by Coach Mark Richt. This game has weight on his coaching situation at Georgia as the ‘Dawg faithful wants to see progression in the program and a lackluster performance versus South Carolina could "fan the flames." The USC-UGA game is always close, as the last four games between the two schools have been decided by 11 points or less with both teams winning twice. The last time between the hedges, the Gamecocks dropped a shootout 41-37, and have not won in Athens since 2007.USC is favored by as much as three points in this game depending on the odds-maker, so most think the game will be close and most think USC will win. Let’s take a look at these two teams: What You Need To Know About UGA: This game means a lot for the 'Dawgs, as it not only can determine the pecking order in the SEC East but it could have a say on the coaching situation in Athens. It also will play into the confidence of this team going forward. These Georgia Bulldogs are backed into a corner for the opposing team that is scary, and they will come out attacking. UGA Player to Watch: Aaron Murray. In 2010, he had a 61 percent completion percentage, 3,049 yards, 24 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 154.5 passer rating, 167 yards rushing and four touchdowns.Look past the 6-8 record as a starter for UGA, as he is the leader of the Bulldogs. He is the key to this team because USC should be able to control the run, so it is upon him to lead the UGA football team to victory via his arm. What You Need To Know About South Carolina: The Gamecocks must match the intensity of the Bulldogs in this game. They must step up and play smarter football than what was shown versus East Carolina.  USC won the SEC East due to beating UGA in 2010. To win the East in 2011, they must beat the Bulldogs. USC Player to Watch: The key for USC is the establishment of the running game. Marcus Lattimore rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries and had three touchdowns last week. He needs a similar performance this week as his abilities running the ball opens up so much more for the offense. Most importantly, it moves the chains and keeps the Georgia offense off the field. Key Position Matchup: One battle that not many are talking about is the USC defensive live versus the Georgia offensive line.  It goes without saying that the Bulldogs must run and the Gamecocks have to stop it. For USC it is not only about stopping the run but pressuring Aaron Murray. The Georgia line is the key position for their chances for success in this game. Prediction: 20-16 USC.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Georgia may have lost its opener to Boise State but that does not mean its season is down the drain.The Bulldogs can still compete for an SEC championship and that campaign starts this weekend against South Carolina. The Gamecocks are fresh off a 56-37 victory over East Carolina and are hoping to have a stronger start to this game than they did last weekend. South Carolina has one of the most complete offenses in the country with Stephen Garcia, Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffrey. Georgia’s Aaron Murray is one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and Brandon Boykin was electrifying in his debut on offense. The game will be played at 4:30 p.m. in Athens and will be broadcast on ESPN. Check back here for all the information you need about this game.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Georgia fans have reasons to be optimistic.
I really don't know of a better way to begin this article. It's sounds foolish, doesn't it? Georgia just lost their SEC opener, 17-6, to Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The offense failed to score a touchdown and the defense was manhandled by a freshman tailback, Marcus Lattimore, for the entire game.
But before we start getting all wound up, let's stop and think. Nobody really should be surprised with the result of today's game. Yes, I picked Georgia to win the ball game, and, in hindsight, by a ridiculously inaccurate prediction of 31-21.
But if we can recall, nobody--and by nobody, I mean most Georgia fans-- really predicted Georgia to make it through their first three games unscathed. As a matter of fact, many season previews had Georgia losing to South Carolina.
Going into today, after seeing the extra wild Williams-Brice Stadium crowd and the size of South Carolina's athletes, I immediately disregarded my preseason prediction.
A one point win against the "Ole Ball Coach" would have put me in a good enough mood to drop half of my last paycheck on a Saturday night party.
I wasn't really that surprised with the way South Carolina controlled the ball and pushed it down Georgia's throat all game. I was, however, pretty pleased with the composure and savvy of the Bulldog's quarterback, Aaron Murray. I don't think anyone expected Murray to appear anywhere as near comfortable as he actually showed to be.
Despite the crowd noise, Murray was able in command behind the line and completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 190 yards.
Had Georgia not hurt itself with special team penalties, and a fumble by Washaun Ealey deep in the red zone, Murray wouldn't have been under so much pressure during the second half of the game. Still, he looked like he had played in an SEC environment a few times before.
Just for reminder, the redshirt freshman hasn't.
So maybe I'm being ridiculous here, talking about how impressed I was with the 19-year- old quarterback, and disregarding the final score of the game. So I'll give credit where credit is due.
One thing we learned today is that South Carolina, especially on the offensive side of the ball, is the real deal. Steve Spurrier may have finally hit his breakthrough with recruiting at USC.
Not only will the win make recruiting even more competitive in the SEC East, but I think the talent level and size of the Gamecocks might have caught some Georgia fans off guard. If you didn't notice just how beastly the personnel is, then you might even be more upset with the Dawgs defensive performance than you need to be.
All week long people were talking about how South Carolina was built around Spurrier's wide open passing attack. Emphasis was put on the giant receiving corpse. Every South Carolina receiver stands at least 6'3". Alshon Jeffery was just as much of a mismatch against our corners as I anticipated.

But was anyone really ready for Marcus Lattimore? The true freshman running back in a gunslinger's offense? Marcus Lattimore was ready for Marcus Lattimore, that was for sure.
All the former No. 2 running back prospect in the country did was rush for 182 yards. But the real knocker was that he did it on 37 carries.
37. In a Spurrier offense? Get out of town.
Does our tackling need to improve? Absolutely. It needs to really improve if we want to win down the road in the SEC. But, I don't think there is a more impressive young running back in the entire country than Marcus Lattimore.
He's huge. His feet never stop churning. His yards after contact were absolutely amazing. And, for anyone, 37 carries is quite a load.
But when you can do that with a freshman, you know you have someone special. With an experienced quarterback in Stephen Garcia, who only threw for 160 yards in the game, South Carolina has the second biggest and most intimidating offense in the SEC behind Alabama.
They might even be the best team in the East.
I don't see another game on Georgia's schedule where the offensive personnel they face is anywhere near as physically imposing, other than the late road test at Auburn.
Where my preseason prediction had Georgia losing, 27-14, I still stand by my prediction that Georgia can win 10 games in the regular season and qualify for the SEC Championship game. Their schedule from here on out looks pretty winnable.
I didn't think Aaron Murray was going to look anywhere near as good as he actually has. Also, without A.J. Green, I thought the receivers did a good job today. Marlon Brown and Kris Durham definitely give Murray some nice size to throw to and Murray was protected well when Georgia wasn't having to press.
And Washaun Ealey looked okay. That was the key. Not only did Georgia struggle to find consistency on the ground, but Ealey's fumble cost Georgia in what was otherwise not a bad performance. Even with Lattimore dominating the ground attack, Georgia was able to shut down SC's passing game and get some serious pressure on Stephen Garcia.
Justin Houston and Christian Robinson had outstanding games. Overall, the penalties weren't an issue for Georgia. They didn't have any "stupid" penalties like they would have had under Martinez's regime.
And we can be sure the defense, despite a tough game, is going to get it from Todd Grantham this week in practice.

Nothing surprised me in this game. Tough environment. Tough team in South Carolina. A young an inexperienced quarterback from Georgia. With a semi-conservative game plan Georgia was going to hope for some great running and an impenetrable defense to get a win.
But the one thing that did surprise me was Aaron Murray. I didn't expect him to play with so much confidence. He rode Stephen Garcia's heels the entire game. Statistically, he surpassed Garcia. And, Murray has yet to throw an interception.
So what do we take away from this game? Sure, it sucks to lose. The game plan was a little too conservative in the first half. The first drive from South Carolina, and the fumble from Washaun Ealey, was really the entire game.
But just as it is every year, the game was close. It was a blood bath. It came down to a few mistakes and impact plays. And, it didn't matter that it was a traditional SEC power versus a second tier program.
Mainly because that is no longer the situation. South Carolina is a team to be reckoned with in the SEC.
But the Dawgs played a respectable game, especially considering the youth at quarterback. My point to make is that, on the flip side of South Carolina proving it's worth, Aaron Murray is progressing ahead of schedule at UGA.
Soon we won't need those conservative game plans. Georgia has plenty of talent as well. They had some bright spots offensively and defensively. And they didn't lose to a pushover this weekend.
Yes. We expect more from Georgia. I expect more. And an SEC loss is still an SEC loss. But before fans start griping and complaining, and Atlanta sports writers (who consciously root for the Ramblin' Wreck) call for the firing of Mark Richt, know this:
I, at least, expect great things from Georgia in the future. Every Dawg has to grow up from being a puppy before he butts heads with the competitor.
But if Aaron Murray is this composed as a puppy, just think what Georgia has for the next few years. They havn't had that freshman quarterback who got twelve games of experience, like Murray will. Remember David Greene's freshman year? Georgia lost to South Carolina.
Greene and that group of Dawgs went on to do big things.
Yes, we lost today.
But we have reason to be optimistic.
And with that said, today we learned two things.
1) Aaron Murray is the real deal at quarterback.
2) The road to Atlanta is now, officially, a three horse race. South Carolina has one heck of a team. And it could be this way for quite some time. Get used to it Georgia fans. It's going to be real tough to win the SEC east.
No wonder they call it the toughest conference in college football.
P.S.
If you didn't believe my article on this being one of the most heated rivalries in the SEC East, wait till the week before this game next September.
 
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

[This article was updated September 4 following Georgia’s season opener.]
South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2 with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Two days later, Georgia destroyed Louisiana-Lafayette 55-7. The SEC East rivals face each other on September 11 in their first true test.
Both teams played with intensity versus nonthreatening opponents from smaller conferences. The match ups showcased improvements that Georgia and South Carolina have made over the last year.
South Carolina Summary
South Carolina polished up their offense and appeared to have corrected weaknesses that dogged them in seasons past.
Quarterback Stephen Garcia picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Steve Spurrier. He was confident and displayed good ball control. Garcia was backed by freshman Connor Show who showed promise on his first outing.
Four-star recruit Marcus Lattimore gave a solid performance at running back. He should be able to help South Carolina improve on its 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG). Spencer Lanning was two for two on field goals including a 42 yarder.
Georgia Summary
Georgia answered some big questions in their season opener. They put to rest uncertainty about freshman QB Aaron Murray and Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 defense.
Murray showed guts, quick thinking, athletic ability and accuracy. He scrambled well and made plays happen. The Dawgs’ offense was well-balanced with 193 yards passing and 184 yards rushing. They were eight for 17 on third down conversions.
Georgia’s defense was fast and furious and exhibited signs of the Junkyard Dawgs of old. They held the Cajuns’ offense to just 134 yards (which included one 60-yard pass) and kept constant pressure on quarterback Chris Masson. The secondary dominated the backfield.
Special teams gave Georgia an even greater edge with a 46.7 yard punt average from Drew Butler and a 52-yard field goal from Blair Walsh.
Showdown in the Cockpit
Georgia enters unfriendly terrain when they meet up with the Gamecocks in Columbia. Both teams want to get a leg-up in the SEC East race. Both have extra motivation to win.
The Gamecocks are looking to avenge a bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year that came late in the game after a blocked extra point. The Bulldogs are itching to redeem themselves after finishing 4-4 in the SEC in 2009.
Here is how the Dawgs and Gamecocks compare following both teams' first games.
South Carolina’s Quarterback Duo
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. In all, he completed 16 of 23 passes for 193 yards plus 38 yards rushing.
At the end of the second quarter, true freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10-yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 yards on the ground.
Garcia and Shaw look to be a double threat at quarterback
Georgia’s Young Quarterback Duo
Redshirt freshman Aaron Murray commanded Georgia’s offense. He knew the playbook, managed the game and made plays when the heat was on. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards. He was intercepted once as a result of a dropped pass by Kris Durham (WR) – not an inaccurate throw.
Murray left the game just shy of the fourth quarter to give backup quarterback - and true freshman - Hutson Mason time on the field. Mason stepped in and fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to Logan Gray. He is the eighth player in FBS history to record a touchdown pass on his first throw as a collegiate player. Mason finished 2 for 5 and 33 yards.
Both quarterbacks may be young and inexperienced but showed poise and promise.
South Carolina’s Playmakers
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey caught seven passes for 106 yards against Southern Miss and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse. Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from Shaw in the third quarter. 
Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is one of Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
Georgia’s Playmakers
Georgia played Louisiana-Lafayette without starters A.J. Green (WR), Washun Ealey (RB) or Tavarres King (SE) and were still able to rack up 55 points.
The Bulldogs showed strength across the board with solid protection from the offensive line. Carlton Thomas rushed for 61 yards and Caleb King picked up 47 yards and a touchdown. Shaun Chapas (FB) made critical blocks and fellow fullback Fred Munzenmaier caught a touchdown pass.
Wide receiver Kris Durham, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, stepped in with 83 yards and one touchdown.  
Blair Walsh was two for two on field goals including a 52-yard-long torpedo.
South Carolina Defense
South Carolina held Southern Miss to 67 net rushing yards and no touchdowns inside the red zone.
The secondary was quick to the ball and good on pass defense. Akeem Auguste (FS), Stephon Gilmore (CB) and DeVonte Holloman (SS) combined to shut down Southern Mississippi’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste led the team with eight tackles (seven solos, one assist). Holloman nabbed an interception in the first quarter that led to a South Carolina touchdown.
Georgia Defense
Georgia successfully unveiled its much anticipated 3-4 defense under new DC Todd Grantham. They racked up nine tackles for negative 26 yards. Akeem Dent, Justin Houston and Akeem Hebron had one sack apiece for a combined negative 18 yards. Dent also stopped the Cajuns’ on a fourth down, one-yard play.
Georgia’s secondary shut down any hope the Cajuns had for their passing game. They combined for three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns.
Sophomore cornerback Vance Cuff forced a fumble and broke up a key third down pass. Baccari Rambo (FS) had six stops. Jakar Hamilton (FS), a junior college transfer, intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.  
Miscellaneous
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home. They suffered their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. They enter the stadium on September 11 with two extra days of rest and preparation versus Georgia.
On the flip side, Georgia is 4-1 vs. Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks and has already won two in Columbia. Since he became head coach at Georgia in 2001, Richt has only lost four games on the road (not counting “neutral” sites).
Who has the edge - Georgia or South Carolina? Sound off in the comments below.
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their commanding performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs be able to answer the call?
The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina a chance to flip their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC on its head.
The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.
Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. By the time he stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter, he had racked up 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. Within minutes of entering the game for Garcia just prior to halftime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year and he looked up to the task. He is a four-star recruit and probably Steve Spurrier's biggest recruit in his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore took control on the ground racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster Revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette.
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their commanding performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs be able to answer the call?
The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina a chance to flip their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC on its head.
The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.

Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. By the time he stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter, he had racked up 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. Within minutes of entering the game for Garcia just prior to halftime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.

Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year and he looked up to the task. He is a four-star recruit and probably Steve Spurrier's biggest recruit in his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore took control on the ground racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster Revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the game vs. UL-L).
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call? The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA. The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past. Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG). Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home. Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit. Double QB threat. Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground. All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve. A wealth of wide receivers. The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter.  Battering-ram at running back. Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. First-rate secondary. South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown. Rooster Revenge. The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the game vs. UL-L). The Spurrier Factor. Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team. Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call? The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA. The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past. Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG). Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home. Here are six things the Bulldogs should look out for when they enter the Cockpit. Double QB threat. Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground. All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve. A wealth of wide receivers. The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter. Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter.  Battering-ram at running back. Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. First-rate secondary. South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown. Rooster revenge.The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the UL-L game). The Spurrier Factor. Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team. Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call?
The Gamecocks did most things well vs. the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.
Here are six things the Bulldogs should look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession.
Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.
Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the UL-L game).
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com