Week 2 Previews: Miami vs. #12 Florida, #6 Georgia vs. #11 South Carolina

While it’s the NFL kickoff this week, college football is already settling in as they face Week 2. Conference play is slowly beginning and over on the east side of the country, there’s a few interesting games going on in the Southeast this weekend.

Down in Florida, the #12 Florida Gators (1-0) will take on instate rival, the Miami Hurricanes (1-0). The teams haven’t played one another since 2008.

Last week, the Gators rolled over Toledo 24-6 with quarterback Jeff Driskel going 17 of 22 for 153 yards (6.96 average yards per attempt) while running back Mack Brown rushed for 112 yards with two touchdowns on 25 carries. This week look for the Gators to run even more as its running back Matt Jones will return to the field.

He was out last week, recovering from a viral infection but he should be back in full force on Saturday. This week his offensive coordinator Brent Pease said to look for the sophomore to possibly have 25 carries in his inaugural 2013 game and that he had confidence in the player to go all out as “he’ll know the game plan” reported ESPN.

In 2012 as the backup, Jones rushed for 275 yards with three touchdowns.

Along with Jones’ return, he’ll also be joined by four teammates who also missed the first game due to suspensions. This includes defensive tackle Darious Cummings, linebacker Antonio Morrison, cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy (fourth in tackles for 2012 with 51) and offensive lineman Quinteze Williams.

Duke Johnson

As for the Hurricanes, they have their own talented running back, Duke Johnson. In last week’s 34-6 win versus Florida Atlantic, the player had a career and nation-high 186 rushing yards (including a 53-yard touchdown run) on 19 carries in just about one half of play. Johnson was absent for most of the second half after getting hit on a play.

He sits at 10/1 to win this year’s Heisman.

As for Miami’s passing game last week, it was less successful. Quarterback Stephen Morris went 15 for 27 and 160 yards.

Look for the ground game to continue for both teams this week. Miami is hosting its rival but Florida still gets the winning nod (-3, 49 o/u). For the 2013-2014 BCS National Championship, the Gators are 33/1 to win it.

#6 Georgia vs. #11 South Carolina 

Sticking with Southeast games, this one is a great match up.

In 2011, these teams met for the second game of the season and South Carolina (1-0) won 45-42, pushing Georgia (0-1) to an 0-2 start. Fast forward to 2013 and the Bulldogs will look to escape this same fate after losing to #8 Clemson (1-0) last week.

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is back for his final year and against Clemson, he was 20 of 29, 333 yards and a pick. He lost a favorite target for the season to a torn right ACL, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who did so while celebrating teammate Todd Gurley’s first quarter touchdown run.

In his place Michael Bennett pinch hit with five receptions for 65 yards.

As for Gurley, he had a good game with 12 carries for 154 yards and two scores but last year against South Carolina, he was less productive with 13 carries for 39 yards.

Jadeveon Clowney

South Carolina didn’t play so great in Week 1 against North Carolina in its 27-10 win. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney looked like he was still on summer vacation, leaving many to scratch their heads and say really, this is the leading Heisman contender?

Not so much anymore, as Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater now sits in the top spot at 11/2 and Clowney is in the 12th spot at 18/1.

Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw fortunately appeared less sleepy than Clowney against the Tar Heels. He was 11 for 20, 149 yards and one interception.

Shaw is a dual threat quarterback and will keep the Bulldogs on their toes as they remember his 2012 performance: 6 for 10, 162 yards and two touchdowns with 78 ground yards and another score.

Both teams desperately want to push their slow starts behind but there’s only one winner. The nod goes to Georgia (-3, 56 o/u).