Georgia @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) South Carolina 30, Georgia 41

Georgia hasn't scored more than 20 points at Williams-Brice Stadium in 20 years, but the Bulldogs haven't always had Todd Gurley running the ball. The Heisman Trophy candidate leads the sixth-ranked Bulldogs into a key SEC East road contest against No. 23 South Carolina on Saturday. The Gamecocks have won the past two meetings at Williams-Brice — and three of the past four matchups overall — but have never won three straight at home against the Bulldogs.

It's the SEC opener for Georgia, which opened the season with an impressive 45-21 home win over Clemson and has emerged as the favorite to win the SEC East. "Everybody feels like this could be what decides the division," Georgia coach Mark Richt told reporters. "The reality is we've lost twice to them and won the league. Missouri lost to them (in 2013) and won the league. It's not a guarantee that you're out, but … everyone wants to control their own destiny in this race to get to Atlanta." The Gamecocks already are playing catchup after a season-opening 52-28 loss to Texas A&M on Aug. 28.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Georgia -5.5.

ABOUT GEORGIA (1-0, 0-0 SEC): The Bulldogs' streak of nine straight games being held to 20 points or fewer at South Carolina seemingly is in jeopardy thanks to Gurley, who racked up conference and national honors after compiling a school-record 293 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns against Clemson. Gurley is capable of being the workhorse and taking pressure off quarterback Hutson Mason, who was an efficient 18-for-26 for 131 yards against Clemson. The defense's debut under new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was strong, as the Bulldogs held the Tigers scoreless after halftime and allowed only 15 total yards on 22 plays after the break.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-1, 0-1): The Gamecocks got star running back Mike Davis going in last week's 33-23 win over East Carolina, as he rushed for 101 yards for his eighth career 100-yard game. That balance is critical to helping quarterback Dylan Thompson settle into his starting role, which he has done nicely thus far, passing for 632 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense is still adjusting to life without No. 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney and has struggled against the pass and had a tough time getting off the field on third down.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier has 200 career victories as an SEC coach, one behind former Georgia coach Vince Dooley for second on the league's all-time list.

2. Gurley (2,572) ranks eighth on Georgia's all-time rushing list but is only 96 yards behind Rodney Hampton (2,668) for fifth and 162 yards behind Knowshon Moreno (2,734) for fourth.

3. Spurrier is 15-6 against Georgia (4-5 at South Carolina), tied with former Auburn coach Shug Jordan for the most career wins against the Bulldogs.

PREDICTION: Georgia 38, South Carolina 31