UGA will see a familiar face on the South Carolina sideline

Georgia football fans are invited to Know Your Opponent weekly with DawgNation and get a glimpse of the keys to UGA Winning each week with Know Your Opponent – presented by The Piedmont Bank. Host Brandon Adams examines key storylines involving Coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs as they attempt to navigate an unprecedented schedule in pursuit of an SEC Championship and a college football playoff spot . This week’s edition of Know Your Opponent focuses on what to expect from South Carolina – and its interim coach Mike Bobo.

Know your opponent: UGA will see a familiar face on the South Carolina sideline

Georgia’s game against South Carolina on Saturday night is made more interesting by the presence of Mike Bobo as interim coach of the Gamecocks.

Bobo’s roots in Georgia run deep. He was Bulldogs quarterback from 1994-97 and Mark Richt’s staff assistant until his departure to become Colorado State Head Coach in 2015.

Bobo is also a close friend of UGA coach Kirby Smart, but Smart downplayed any notion their relationship would have an impact on Saturday’s game when asked about it earlier this week. .

“It’s a game that we try to win depending on the players on the pitch. It’s not between Mike and me, ”said Smart. “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s one of the best football coaches I know in terms of motivation, passion and energy for the game, recruiting, all that.

“I have a lot of respect for him and the work he does, and has done throughout his career. His record speaks for itself at our conference with what he was able to do. I know he will have these guys ready to play, but as far as our story goes, I don’t think that really matters in this game.

Bobo took over in South Carolina after the Gamecocks left fellow UGA alumnus Will Muschamp as head coach after South Carolina started 2-5 and relented. 59 points in a loss to Ole Miss on November 14.

Bobo lost 17-10 to Missouri in his debut as a Gamecocks interim last Saturday.

Despite the loss, the game presented brilliant potential for South Carolina. Bobo gave freshman quarterback Luke Doty his first meaningful shots of the season, and the former four-star signing threw 130 yards and led the Gamecocks to the run.

This may be an example of Bobo going out of his way to help his current employer in any way he can, and he may have even more tricks up his sleeve when his alma mater hits town this weekend. -end.

For more on what Smart said about Bobo and what the Gamecocks could do at the quarterback, check out the latest edition of Know Your Opponent, linked above.