Georgia is set to take on the Gamecocks today at 7 p.m. from Sanford Stadium. The game will be a crucial one for both programs, as the battle for second in the East commences. Florida is the odds-on favorite in the division and will likely return to Atlanta. But the rewards for finishing second in the division can be as great as a BCS bowl berth, as Georgia proved in 2007.
COACHING DUEL …
Steve Spurrier will coach against Mark Richt for the 16th time in 20 years. The two went head-to-head while Spurrier was at Florida and Richt was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at FSU between 1990 and 2000, then again in 2001 with Richt at UGA, and the past four seasons since Spurrier was hired by Carolina.
Richt is 3-1 against Spurrier-coaches Gamecock teams and 3-2 overall as a head coach. From 1990-2000, Spurrier’s UF squads were 4-8-1 against FSU. Overall, that gives Spurrier a 6-11-1 record against teams that Mark Richt was coaching in some capacity.
Taking into account his years at Florida, Spurrier is 12-4 against Georgia which includes an 11-1 record he posted while in Gainesville.
Richt is 6-2 against the Gamecocks as a head coach.
INJURY RUNDOWN …
South Carolina will be without starting middle linebacker Rodney Paulk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against NC State last Thursday. Also, reserve LB Reggie Bowens and reserve OL Kevin Young are out. Reserve WR Dion LeCorn is probable.
For the Dawgs, starting OT Trinton Sturdivant re-tore his ACL and will be out for the season. Senior Vince Vance will take his place. LB Darius Dewberry is out with a pulled groin while Caleb King is doubtful.
COX CONFUSION …
On Thursday, fueled by a report on UGAsports.com, there was wide-spread speculation that backup QB Logan Gray would get the start today over Joe Cox. Gray was reportedly taking most of the snaps with the first-team, which was later confirmed by Richt. However, Richt also stated that, due to Cox’s shoulder troubles, Gray always gets most of the first-team snaps on Thursday.
Richt was adamant that Cox would start today. However, during an interview with Cox that was reported on ESPN.com, the 5th-yer senior stated that he had been having serious shoulder issues for quite some time.
“It’s nerve problems caused by a muscle that protects my rotator cuff,” he said. “One of the muscles that protects the rotator cuff has wasted away and that puts pressure on the rotator cuff.”
Cox also stated that he was feeling “weak” before the game with Oklahoma State last weekend and had lost nine pounds due to the flu.
“I got the IV before the last game,” Cox said. “I wasn’t breathing well. I was weak. But I’m feeling better now.”
Georgia fans have to wonder why he was given the start last weekend if he was in such bad shape.
But for today’s contest, fans can expect to see Logan Gray take a lot more snaps than the one he took last weekend.
FINAL THOUGHTS …
The spread has remained at UGA -7 for most of the week.
The Dawgs are 12-5 since Carolina since the Cocks joined the conference in 1992 and 45-14-2 overall.
Six of eight games since 2001 have been decided by seven points or less. The last time this did not happen was an 18-0 shutout win by UGA in 2006.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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