Coastal Carolina @ Georgia preview

THE STORY: Off to its worst start in 15 years and with its head coach in perhaps the hottest hot seat in the nation, Georgia looks to catch its breath Saturday when it plays host to Coastal Carolina. After losing to a pair of ranked teams in Boise State and South Carolina to start the season, there is plenty of speculation surrounding the future of head coach Mark Richt. Despite being 0-2 for the first time since 1996, there have been bright spots. Georgia freshman running back Isaiah Crowell made a big impact last week, rushing for 118 yards against South Carolina.

Coastal Carolina is 2-0 for the first time since 2005, the Chanticleers outscoring the opposition 50-26 in victories over Furman and Catawba. Quarterback Aramis Hillary ranks first in the Big South Conference in passing efficiency and completion percentage, but Coastal Carolina rushed for only 13 yards in last week’s victory over Catawba.

Saturday’s game is the first between the two schools, and the first time the Chanticleers have faced an SEC school.

TV: Pay-per-View, ESPN3. LINE: No line.

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA (2-0): Hillary is the key to Coastal Carolina’s offense. In two games, the junior has completed 26-of-37 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, and has rushed for three touchdowns. Fourteen different receivers have caught passes so far this season. The Chanticleers figure to have trouble slowing down the Georgia offense, as Coastal Carolina has allowed 294.5 yards per game.

ABOUT GEORGIA (0-2): After a lackluster performance against Boise State, the Dogs played better against South Carolina. Crowell earned SEC co-Freshman of the Week honors by scoring two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing). But turnovers led to 20 South Carolina points, and Georgia gave up a touchdown on a fake punt. A key loss on defense is linebacker Christian Robinson, the team’s leading tackler (21 in two games) who will miss Saturday with a hairline fracture in his foot. The Bulldogs already are missing linebacker Alec Ogletree, who broke his foot against Boise State.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin set a school record with seven kickoff returns for 184 yards against South Carolina.

2. Georgia sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray set a career high with four touchdown passes against the Gamecocks.

3. Coastal Carolina is 0-4 against FBS teams, losing 31-0 at then-No. 25 ranked West Virginia last season.

PREDICTION: Georgia 45, Coastal Carolina 10 – The Bulldogs will use a superior edge in talent to take out some frustration on the Chanticleers, temporarily stemming the tide of discontent for one day.