If Georgia losses against South Carolina, their season is essentially over. The Bulldogs would need a lot to work out in their favor in order to get to the SEC Championship Game in December. After losing to Clemson last week, a conference loss would put the team on freezer burn. The 11th-ranked Georgia team is looking to avoid an 0-2 start and end a three-game losing streak to South Carolina on Saturday in Athens.
The Bulldogs are opening their season with back-to-back ranked opponents, but are looking for a different outcome than that of 2011. That year Georgia lost to Boise State and then followed that up with a loss to South Carolina. A repeat this year would be tough to recover from.
South Carolina did not blow anyone away in their season-opener against North Carolina as the struggled to a 27-10 win at home. The rivalry between the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs has gotten heated in recent and both teams must be aware of their opponents. Both Mark Richt and Steve Spurrier are both well-aware of the importance of this game to the overall picture of the season.
Georgia will enter Saturday without their No. 1 wide receiver Malcom Mitchell. The top target tore his right ACL during the game against Clemson after celebrating with running back Todd Gurley after a long touchdown run. Michael Bennett will be taking his place on the depth chart. The receiver had five catches for 65 yards in the Clemson loss.
Both quarterbacks are essential to the win. Aaron Murray will have defensive star Jadeveon Clowney to worry about the entire game. Last year, Clowney made Murray's night very long and could possibly do the same on Saturday. Last week, Clowney was very quiet, but after two extra days of rest, he will likely look improved.
Connor Shaw went 6 for 10 for 162 yards last year and two touchdowns. He also rushed for another score. That read-option threat will have the Georgia defense on their toes again.
