South Carolina Gamecocks

No. 3 Georgia plays at No. 24 South Carolina in early test

Published Sep. 6, 2018 10:06 a.m. ET

No. 3 Georgia (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at No. 24 South Carolina (1-0, 0-0), 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Line: Georgia by 9½.

Series Record: Georgia leads 50-18-2.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The winner gets early control of the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. The Bulldogs have not lost to South Carolina since 2014 and would love to continue that dominance as they try for another league title and trip to the College Football Playoff. The Gamecocks returned to the Top 25 for the first time in four years this past week. They hope to validate that inclusion with a victory.

KEY MATCHUP

QB Jake Fromm of Georgia vs. QB Jake Bentley of South Carolina. The two passers had big days in their opener as both came into the season with lofty expectations. Whoever best plays turnover-free football will likely come out on top.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Georgia: RBs D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield: The sophomore Swift and the junior Holyfield have to step in for the Bulldogs NFL runners from a year ago in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Swift got the start against Austin Peay and ran for 43 yards on eight carries. Holyfield had 24 yards on five carries. Both scored TDs.

South Carolina: WR Deebo Samuel. He was the Gamecocks most dynamic playmaker a year ago until he got hurt in the third game and missed the rest of the season. A healthy Samuel returned last week and had seven catches for 56 yards, including a one-handed grab in the end zone.

FACTS & FIGURES

Georgia has won the past three games in the series, including a 52-20 victory in 2015 where quarterback Greyson Lambert set an NCAA record by completing 24 of 25 passes (96 percent). ... Two years ago, this game at Williams-Brice Stadium was moved to an NFL Sunday because of Hurricane Matthew. Georgia won 28-14 as it gained 326 yards on the ground. ... South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is 1-5 against his alma mater, Georgia ... Georgia ranked fourth best in the country at scoring from 20 yards and in last year, getting points on 53 of 55 trips. The Bulldogs started strongly in that regard this year by going five-of-five on such drives last week against Austin Peay.