Posted by Steve Muench
For the second year in a row, Georgia has lost OT
Trinton Sturdivant to a season-ending left knee injury. Sturdivant reinjured the knee in the Bulldogs' loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday, and that could mean big things for the draft stock of a pair of South Carolina defenders this week.
Vince Vance will replace Sturdivant in the lineup and will face off against Gamecocks junior DE
Cliff Matthews and senior OLB
Eric Norwood. Each had two sacks in the season opener against NC State, and each is a very good pass-rusher. Vance will see both of them because South Carolina likes to slide Matthews down over the guard at times and walk Norwood up to the line and let him rush off the edge.
Matthews showed against athletic NC State QB
Russell Wilson that he can get around the corner quickly and flashed above-average closing speed in getting to Wilson. As for Norwood, he shows the ability to get around the corner as well, but is more of a power rusher who uses his hands well and gets off blocks a bit better than Matthews does. Norwood projects as a third-round pick at this point but could boost his stock with a strong senior season.
Making matters worse for Georgia, senior QB
Joe Cox completed just 15 of 30 passes against Oklahoma State in Week 1. Cox was dealing with the flu, but given the pressure the Gamecocks will bring and the fact that Sturdivant is out of the lineup, there is concern that he could be forced into some bad decisions. We expect a low-scoring game between South Carolina and Georgia, thanks in part to Matthews and Norwood.
For a look at the upcoming Notre Dame-Michigan matchup, Penn State's running game and a pair of prospects from Ole Miss, become an ESPN Insider. 
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
