In preparation for Saturday’s SEC East showdown between Georgia and South Carolina, Saturday Down South is taking a look at the key matchups that may decide the showdown between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks.

Todd Gurley vs. South Carolina front seven

Gurley’s first effort in the 2014 campaign was a career one. The Heisman frontrunner rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns and added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

South Carolina’s defensive front has surrendered an average of 150 yards per game on the ground, and has been unable to tackle.

Related: Inside the Numbers: Georgia’s running game among tops in the nation

Gurley got 15 carries in his season debut against Clemson, with 11 of those coming after intermission. He made his touches count, however, averaging more than 13 yards per carry against a good Clemson front seven. Don’t be surprised is Gurley gets more carries – in the 20 to 22 range – now that he’s healthy and has a trio of backs to take some of the load off his legs.

In 2012, Gurley’s last visit to Columbia, he ran the ball just 13 times for 39 yards. You can bet he’ll want to make up for that putrid performance.

Entering the season, the front seven was believed to be a strength for Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward. South Carolina is giving up an average of 566.5 yards through its first two tries and now tries to stop what was a high-powered Georgia offense. The Gamecocks gave up 132 yards on the ground to East Carolina and the Pirates averaged greater than six yards per carry. They’ll have their hands full not only with Gurley, but also with Keith Marshall, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.

Related: Inside the Numbers: South Carolina’s ineptitude on defense staggering

Georgia wants to have a more balanced attack this week, knowing they’ll likely be forced the throw the ball in some key situations. Still, Gurley is the Bulldogs’ best player and they have the deepest backfield in the country. Past matchups in Columbia have been a grind-it-out, low-scoring affair and there’s a good chance the 2014 rendition of this rivalry won’t be any different.