South Carolina Football: 3 keys to victory over Georgia in Week 7

2 of 4

COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 13: Rico Dowdle #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is tackled by the defense of the Texas A&M Aggies during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Run game has to be big

Rico Dowdle has been a new man this season. Last year he had a total of three one 100-yard rushing games on the season. Through Week 6 of the season he has two already. His biggest test yet was the No. 2 team in the nation in the Alabama Crimson Tide. In that game, he averaged 8.5 yards per carry and totaled 102 yards.

In his last outing against Kentucky, Dowdle also put up 102 yards on the ground. He added a 30-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. Where has this new found ability to run the rock come from you might ask?

Perhaps it comes from the pressure of Tavien Feaster who came to South Carolina from rival Clemson by way of the transfer portal. He left Clemson with two national championships but was never the premier back. The thought around campus was that he was automatic for the starting position in the South Carolina backfield. His best performance came against Kentucky as well when he put up 107 yards and added two touchdowns on the ground.

I believe that these two are only going to push each other to get better as the season wears on. If South Carolina wants to have a shot at the end of this game, they need to limit the touches of the Georgia offense. The best way to do that is to run the ball effectively. The tandem of Dowdle and Feaster must find running room in this to have a chance.