The Verdict: Play like there is no pressure
South Carolina football superfan Chris Paschal writes a weekly column during the season for GamecockCentral called “The Verdict.” Chris is a lawyer at Goings Law Firm in Columbia.
The Verdict: Play like there is no pressure
Dating all the way back to the colonial period, there has been South Carolina and there has been Georgia.
And sometimes those lines have been blurred. In 1990, the United States Supreme Court had to settle a boundary dispute between the two states. The Savannah River is a big river with a lot of water and with islands sprinkled throughout it, and both states argued that they possessed more water and more land than the other state would give them credit for.
What the Supreme Court had to decide was which state was right. Who owned the water and who owned the land? In his book South Carolina: A History, Walter Edgar wrote, “In 1990 the United States Supreme Court awarded South Carolina 7,000 acres of water and 3,000 acres of land along the Savannah River.” That is quite the beatdown South Carolina put on Georgia.
Of course, there is a smaller plot of land, deep in the heart of Georgia that Carolina will want to lay claim to this Saturday.
Carolina and Georgia have met 75 times since 1894. In 40 of those games, Georgia has been ranked inside the AP Top 25. Only 13 of those 40 times have the Dawgs left whooped by the Gamecocks. Well, here the Dawgs come one more time — for the 41st time in series history — highly ranked and heavily favored.
It is something South Carolina fans have grown accustomed to, unfortunately.
Georgia is our second most-played rival. We have played Georgia more than any of the schools in the Olde North State. We have played Georgia more than Palmetto State foes Furman, Wofford, and The Citadel. We have played Georgia a lot. And we have only won what feels like a few times.
The Bulldogs have a ton All-Americans, two Heisman Trophies, and 14 SEC Titles. South Carolina has a handful of All-Americans, one Heisman Trophy (take that, Clemson), and zero SEC Titles. The Bulldogs are currently the two-time defending national champions. Carolina’s only shot at a National Title was dashed away by Navy in 1984. Georgia has more people, more money, and seems to have more everything.
There is no Supreme Court to help us this Saturday in Athens. Despite all that water and all of that land, most Gamecock fans would trade it all for a victory over the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in a few days.
Spencer Rattler has started just where he left off in 2022. He is poised, he is controlled, and even when under duress, he is making smart decisions with the football. Starting for the first time in a big-time SEC showdown is Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Carolina will have to throw the football successfully for the Gamecocks to have any shot at winning, but don’t underestimate the importance of this South Carolina defense.
I have little faith that Carolina’s front seven can stymie this Georgia rushing attack. Especially not after what I witnessed in Charlotte against the Tarheels. Maybe Boogie Huntley’s rallying cry in the first half against Furman does wonders, but Georgia is big and strong and physical up front. But if Rattler and this offense can find some magic, all we need are a couple of third and longs. Is Carson Beck the type of quarterback that can give us the football when we need it the most?
I’m not sure. But I do know that if Carolina can’t throw the football, we won’t win. Despite defeating Georgia on land and on water in 1990, the only way for the Gamecocks to defeat the Bulldogs in 2023 is through the air.
Usually, I try and break down rosters and give analysis where I can. There will be plenty of time for that as the season goes on. This Verdict is simple, Carolina needs to play free and wide open. There is no pressure on this Carolina team. Nobody in the world thinks we will win this game.
Can we channel some 2022 Tennessee magic on offense? Can our defense find some early 2010s swagger? Can Carson Beck turn into 2019 Jake Fromm? Most are saying they doubt it. I am saying I doubt it.
But just in case, I will be in Athens at 3:30 this Saturday.
