OPPONENT: Georgia

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th

WHERE: Sanford Stadium (Athens, GA)

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORD: Georgia leads 51-18-2

LAST MEETING: UGA beat South Carolina 41-17 in Columbia, SC

2018 RECORD: 11-3 (7-1)

Head Coach…

Kirby Smart

Smart enters his fourth year at Georgia with a 32-10 record overall. The Bulldogs have been one of college football’s premier programs under his watch.

One of many coaches who has come from the Nick Saban coaching tree, Smart looks to lead UGA to its first National Title since 1980.

A relentless recruiter and an intense game-day coach, there’s no denying that Smart is one of the premier head coaches in college football.

Returning Starters…

OFFENSE (6)

LT Andrew Thomas (Jr.)

LT Cade Mays (So.)

LG Solomon Kindley (Jr.)

RT Isiah Wilson (So.)

QB Jake Fromm (Jr.)

RB D’Andre Swift (Jr.)

DEFENSE (7)

DT Tyler Clark (Sr.)

DT Julian Rochester (Sr.)

OLB Walter Grant (Jr.)

CB Tyson Campbell (So.)

CB Typique McGhee (Sr.)

FS Richard LeCounte (Jr.)

SS J.R. Reed (Sr.)

How did they fare in 2018?

Georgia’s hopes of a playoff berth were dashed in last years SEC Title game, losing to Alabama in a thriller.

The Dawgs were dominant otherwise, losing just one regular season game to LSU.

UGA’s season did end on a sour note however, as the Dawgs were beaten by Tom Herman’s Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.

Best Returning Player…

RB D’Andre Swift

UGA seems to be a running back factory and that is no different with Swift.

One of the most dynamic players in all of college football, Swift’s running style can be summarized in one word: explosive.

While QB Jake Fromm will be under the microscope looking to take the next step, it’s Swift who really makes this Georgia offense go.

Swift ran for over 1,000 yards and 10 TD in 2018, all while splitting carries with now NFL bound Elijah Holyfield.

Look for Swift to have a monster year as he gets the bulk of the carries for the Bulldogs.

Overall Outlook…

There is no secret what the expectations are in Athens: win the whole damn thing.

Georgia enters the season with dreams of a CFP berth and bring home the hardware to Athens for the first time since 1980.

The schedule sets up fairly well for Georgia, with most of its toughest games coming at home.

Last year’s match-up with USC was one that was hyped up all summer long. Simply put, it didn’t live up to expectations.

The Gamecocks were throttled and left asking themselves questions about the state of the program.

South Carolina will travel to Sanford Stadium looking to do something it hasn’t done there since 2011: beat the Dawgs.

Similar to the week three match-up against Alabama, the Gamecocks will be massive underdogs in this one.

However, an upset in Athens could be the monumental win that Will Muschamp and this program needs.

2019 SEASON PROJECTION: 11-1 (7-1)