Georgia vs. South Carolina score prediction by college football computer model

Expert score predictions for Georgia vs. South Carolina in this Week 3 college football game and the SEC conference opener

Once again, it's a Bulldogs vs. Gamecocks matchup to open up the SEC conference schedule this weekend as it was a year ago, and once again it's Georgia as defending national champion opening against South Carolina in college football's Week 3 action on Saturday.

Last season's outing was a 48-7 demolition by the Bulldogs on the road, who welcome the Gamecocks between the hedges looking to make another good first impression against an SEC opponent on the road back to the playoff.

Georgia is 2-0 as expected with convincing wins over Ball State and UT Martin, averaging 473 total yards per game and getting some solid early returns on quarterback Carson Beck, who has three touchdown passes in the air while hitting 72 percent of his throws.

Spencer Rattler is arguably the superior quarterback on the field this week, but he's playing behind a highly suspect line that allowed nine sacks in the opener against a UNC defense that was among the nation's least productive a year ago. Still, Rattler is good for 83 percent of his pass attempts with almost 700 yards and 3 scores.

What can we expect when things kick off? Let's check in on how the SP+ prediction model devised by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly projects the matchup, along with the latest betting information for the Week 3 game.

Georgia vs. South Carolina predictions

Georgia vs. South Carolina in the SEC opener / USA Today Images

Score prediction: As expected, Georgia is the favorite in the game according to the SP+ model with a projected 91 percent chance to win outright, and by a projected score of 39 to 16, which may not be enough to cover the spread.

Point spread: Georgia comes into the game as 27.5 point favorites to defeat South Carolina, according to the lines at SI Sportsbook. (Track it live)

FPI prediction: College Football Power Index, another computer prediction model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times, favors the Bulldogs to win with 91.8 percent likelihood, compared to South Carolina at 8.2 percent.

Related: Georgia vs. South Carolina picks, predictions

Where the bets are: A slight majority of bettors are going to with Georgia, with 59 percent picking the Bulldogs to cover the 27.5 point spread, while 41 percent of bets are predicting the Gamecocks will cover at +27.5 in the game.

Betting trends: Gamecocks are 5-10 against the spread in last 15 against SEC East teams... Total went over in Carolina's last 12 of 15 on the road... Total went over in 4 of SC's last 5 overall... Georgia is 1-4-1 ATS in last 6 Saturday games... Total went over in 4 of Georgia's last 6 total games.

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Georgia vs. South Carolina schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: CBS network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

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