Front Porch FootballTo Hell with Georgia
by Alex Mende, Guest Writer
Growing up as a diehard South Carolina fan I have had my fair share of experience with the famed Clemson/South Carolina rivalry. Nothing in the world gets my blood flowing like the week before the Cocks have a chance to knock off the Taters. But before that game comes around another game plays more to my heart, the mighty South Carolina Gamecocks taking on the tamed Bulldogs of Georgia. The Rivalry is brutal; both fan bases will lash out with profanity-laced tirades to the other side, with fights sure to break out in either stadium. But, I’ll admit the last couple of years the rivalry hasn’t been as good as it has been in past years. But in 2018 things are different.
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It’s different in a number of ways, for the first time since 2014 the Gamecocks are ranked and playing Georgia in a hostile environment. The new up-tempo RPO based offense put up an incredible 557 total yards in offense while showing off a flashy run game. The new Offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon actually knows how to call a football game with Jake Bentley, Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and a deep backfield making the offense look fluid and ready. The defense looked solid under the leadership of DJ Wonnum, Bryson Allen-Williams, and TJ Brunson. But what makes a good team is a good opponent and Georgia is certainly a top-ranked opponent at the number three spot in the AP and Coaches Poll. But this is their first test as a young and inexperienced team after losing several key players. Though the replacements will be remarkable these are inexperienced players playing in the prime-time CBS Spot in Williams Brice, which will test them to their limits. But just like this game, the hype around this team is completely different and I know come Saturday the Cocks will have their day.
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This game reminds me of the game four years ago when Carolina won by an inch, you could feel that there was something special in the air that night. Come to think of it every time Georgia enters Williams Brice there is aura in the air. I believe that it comes from the fans, the energy, and the absolutely deafening noise ringing throughout the stadium. Come Saturday the hype will never be higher and by 3:30 the world will see what the 2018 South Carolina Gamecocks are all about.
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