Georgia gets ready for Carolina

ATHENS - A quick rundown of today's game.

Kickoff: 5:36 p.m. (TV: ESPN HD; Radio: 106.1 FM)
Stadium: Sanford Stadium (92,746), Athens, Ga.
Tickets: Sold out
Kickoff weather: High of 91, Low of 65, 30 percent chance of rain in evening
Series: Georgia leads 42-13-2
Last meeting: Georgia won 20-16 in 2004
Odds: Georgia favored by 18
Injuries: Georgia: Probable: LB Jarvis Jackson (leg), DT Darrius Swain (knee); Questionable: OL Michael Turner (shoulder); Out: OL Josh Brock (concussion), PK Andy Bailey (shoulder), DB Antonio Sims (leg). South Carolina: Probable: WR Syvelle Newton (concussion), WR Sidney Rice (finger); Out: LB Dakota Walker (knee), WR Michael Flint (hand).
Up next: Georgia vs. Louisiana-Monroe, Sept. 17, 1 p.m.; South Carolina vs. Alabama, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m.

Rushing
It’s too early to tell about Georgia’s rushing game because the Bulldogs threw so much last week. It’s not too early to tell about the Gamecocks’ ground game. It stinks. South Carolina averaged 1.1 yard per carry. The return of Daccus Turman from suspension should help.
Edge: Georgia
Passing
The nation’s two top-rated passers square off in this game. South Carolina’s Blake Mitchell and Georgia’s D.J. Shockley looked great against overmatched defenses. The true test comes today when the competition gets better. Shockley benefits from more targets.
Edge: Georgia
Defense
Both defenses still have some questions to answer. Georgia gave up too many big plays against Boise State, and South Carolina surrendered 341 yards (4.26 per play) to Central Florida last week.
Edge: Georgia
Special Teams
Georgia fumbled a punt against Boise State and only improved its wretched kickoff return average by half a yard. South Carolina didn’t help itself either. Its average starting field position against Central Florida was its own 19-yard line.
Edge: Even