The college football world must ask itself a particular question for the second season in a row: Just how good are the Georgia Bulldogs? Are they good enough to beat a decent SEC opponent by more than three touchdowns?
Apparently, bookmakers think so, or perhaps the South Carolina Gamecocks should not be considered all that decent. Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Georgia at South Carolina on September 17, with kickoff set for 12:00 ET.
Georgia vs South Carolina best odds
Georgia vs South Carolina picks and predictions
After its defense sent five first-round picks to the NFL, it was easy to assume Georgia would not be as stout this season. Then again, what evidence was there of that?
Georgia has signed nine five-star defenders in the last three recruiting classes, led by current junior cornerback Kelee Ringo and junior defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The talent continues to flow in, and it clearly continues to produce. Shutting out FCS-level Samford may not be all that impressive, but holding Oregon to three points in the season opener should stand out. The Ducks poured in 70 points against FCS-level Eastern Washington last week.
Yes, like Samford, that is inferior competition, but notable offensive competency is needed to score 70 points in college football. Against teams not named Alabama, Georgia has held 14 of its last 15 opponents to fewer than 15 points, the one exception being a prolific Tennessee offense managing all of 17 points. The Gamecocks scored 13 points against the Dawgs last year, and they have not scored more than 20 points in this matchup since 2014.
The talent disparity between these two programs cannot be disputed even before Georgia’s recruiting stepped up a notch under Kirby Smart, and that extends to Georgia’s offense now. Stetson Bennett gave his Heisman campaign a soft launch in that 49-3 win against Oregon, and his chances will continue to better. Bennett was never a liability last season, but the Georgia offense was often conservative. On occasion, that would gift opponents reasonable field position.
This year, the Dawgs have scored on 14 of their 19 possessions through two games. After the five failed possessions, Georgia’s opponents’ average starting field position was their own 23-yard line. The Dawgs gift no short fields, and they do not turn over the ball. Asking Spencer Rattler to navigate three separate 70-plus yard scoring drives is asking too much of South Carolina on Saturday.
My best bet: South Carolina team total Under 15.5 points (-115 at FanDuel)
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Georgia vs South Carolina betting preview
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•Spread analysis •Over/Under analysis •Game info •Injuries •Weather •Trend to know
Spread analysis
Considering I expect South Carolina to score no more than 14 points when facing a spread of +24.5, this begs the question of whether or not Bennett and Georgia crack 38.
To start, the Gamecocks did give up 44 to Arkansas last week. The Dawgs' offense stands atop EPA rankings, per cfb-graphs.com. Its ruthlessness has not yet been realized on a national scale, but once it starts pouring in these totals against SEC defenses, it will.
This line opened as low as -21.5 on Sunday. Jumping up by a field goal is no small feat, even for the defending national champions. Still, it also suggests the national view of Georgia is catching up with the reality that this may be the new standard-bearer in college football.
Over/Under analysis
Even when up by 30-plus, Georgia’s defense does not ease up. So for this game to crack a total of 54.5, the Dawgs' offense may have to do more than its fair share of the work.
Then again, Georgia did hang 40 on South Carolina last season, when the Dawgs' offense was not as aggressive or as finely-tuned as it seems it may be this season.
That said, Georgia’s last four games have all gone Under their totals, even when the Dawgs are blowing out opponents. With a handful of offensive injuries, Georgia may eventually ease up the scoring, or at least the pace.
Georgia vs South Carolina game info
• Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
• Kick-off: 12:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Georgia vs South Carolina key injuries
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Georgia vs South Carolina weather
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Georgia vs South Carolina betting trend to know
South Carolina is 1-5 ATS in its last six games against a team with a winning record. Find more NCAA betting trends for Georgia vs. South Carolina.
