Sony Michel: UGA Difference Maker Vs. USC?

Sony Michel is a great all-purpose back for the Georgia Bulldogs. Through the first two games of 2015, Michel has 18 carries for 97 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground. Through the air, Sony has 4 receptions for 109 yards and 1 touchdown.

While UGA has four major contributors at running back including Nick Chubb, Keith Marshall, and Brendan Douglas, will Sony Michel be the difference maker in the Georgia Bulldogs rivalry game versus the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday?

Michel said, “The University of Georgia has so many rivalries. Every week is some type of rivalry. It just let’s me know that I have to come and play.” And Sony Michel would be right: Georgia has a ton of annual rivalries. Many consider UGA-USC a great secondary rivalry since UGA’s Big Three historically are Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech. South Carolina is all about beating in-state rival Clemson at the end of the year.

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What this means to me is that even as a true sophomore, Sony Michel understands each game’s cultural significance he plays in. The UGA-USC rivalry has intensified since the Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier settled for roost in Columbia back in 2005.

For University of Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt, the challenging part of Sony Michel’s game is figuring where to best use him. Sony Michel can do a bit of everything for the Georgia Bulldogs. Richt said the following about Michel: “Sony’s a special player. A guy like South Carolina Wide Receiver Pharoh Cooper, got a lot of skills. We’ve got to figure out how to use this guy and make him more effective.”

Where I think that Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer could use Sony Michel’s athleticism more often is in the slot, with Nick Chubb also on the field. For as great of a pure runner Nick Chubb is, he’s not the best receiving back I’ve seen play at Georgia. By putting Michel in the slot, Schotty could in theory keep the defense honest and not stack the box when Nick Chubb is on the gridiron.

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Using him in the slot, UGA could set in motion Sony Michel and run a jet sweep to the opposite side of the field. He could also be a factor in the short-range passing game, as he already has a 68-yard screen reception for a touchdown this year.

Perhaps this is something UGA has saved for USC, but I’d like to see a few plays with Chubb and Michel on the field at the same time. Not often, but maybe four or five plays a game would be a nice treat for Dawg Nation to enjoy.

I think that the South Carolina Gamecocks will do their best to account for Nick Chubb, but won’t have enough defensive prowess to stop all of UGA’s weapons on offense. Expect Sony Michel to rush for over 75 yards, receive for over 50 yards, and have at least one touchdown in this border war playing out Between the Hedges on Saturday. Go Dawgs!

Next: Georgia Bulldogs: Must Look Strong Vs. USC

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