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Georgia at South Carolina: Keys, predictions, and players to watch

By Shawn Spencer

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 4: JaMarcus King #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks breaks up a pass intended for Riley Ridley #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 4: JaMarcus King #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks breaks up a pass intended for Riley Ridley #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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T.J. Brunson
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 14: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with T.J. Brunson #6 against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

South Carolina Keys to Victory

Give Jake Bentley Time: Jake Bentley is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL one day and he’ll get to go up against several future NFL defenders when Georgia invades Williams-Brice Stadium. So if the Gamecocks are going to keep this game close, Bentley must be afforded time to throw. South Carolina can accomplish this in a number of ways. To begin the game, South Carolina will attempt to establish the run game with junior running backs Rico Dowdle and Ty’Son Williams. If Georgia can contain the run, Bentley will need to use his legs. Ideally, this would involve Bentley maneuvering in the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield rather than taking off as a runner. With Dennis Daley, Zack Bailey and Donnell Stanley lining up from left tackle to center, Bentley’s blindside should be protected. The rest will be up to him as he sees pressure coming from his right. If he starts to panic, this will be a long day for the home crowd.

Find a Threat Besides Deebo Samuel: As mentioned in the first key to victory, South Carolina will try to establish the run early in this game. If it works, the Gamecocks will have completed the second key to victory; finding someone other than Deebo Samuel to make plays. Dowdle and Williams combined for 187 rushing yards in the opener, however the Coastal Carolina defense is not on the same level as Georgia. The most likely player to step up is wide receiver Shi Smith. The sophomore speedster led the team with 61 receiving yards last week and likely won’t have to deal with Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker as often as Samuel.

Unleash T.J. Brunson: Despite losing Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, Georgia still has one of the best running games in college football. Led by D’Andre Swift, the Bulldogs will look to exploit the average South Carolina run defense. That could change however if Brunson is allowed to play the run and attack the line of scrimmage. With Skai Moore, one of the top defenders in school history, now in the NFL, it’s up to Brunson to take over as the leader of the defense. He stepped up in the opener, leading the team with six tackles in the win. He’ll have to play aggressively and make an impact from sideline to sideline in order to prevent Georgia from running away with this game.

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