In recent history, games between Georgia and South Carolina at Williams-Brice have been close and low-scoring.

The Bulldogs haven’t scored more than 20 points in 20 years in Columbia. In their six trips to Williams-Brice Stadium under the offensively-minded Richt, Georgia has averaged just 13 points per game.

Head coach Mark Richt was asked during Tuesday’s news conference what type of game he expected on Saturday afternoon and he didn’t sugar coat anything.

“I’ve got a feeling this game could get a little bloody,” Richt said. “I think both games are tough physically and I think both teams have outstanding backs that can pound. I know both teams know how to throw and catch, there’s no doubt about that, but before it’s over it might get down to a little bit of a fist fight.”

Both teams enter the game with elite backs and first-year starting quarterbacks. Todd Gurley is widely considered the frontrunner in the Heisman Trophy race with his 293 all-purpose yard and four touchdown performance against Clemson. South Carolina tailback Mike Davis has been hampered by a rib injury so far this season, but gashed the Bulldog defense for 142 yards last season. Davis was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2013 and could throw his hat in the ring with a big game this weekend.

The Bulldogs and Gamecocks are both talented at the skill positions. Georgia has more depth at running back, but with the absence of Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley, the Gamecocks hold the advantage at wideout.

When it comes to a smash mouth type of game, though, the Georgia players welcome it.

“I like it,” linebacker Amarlo Herrera told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It means it’s going to be a tough game. It means there’s going to be a lot of running the football. When people say bloody, that means there’s going to be a lot of running the football, a lot of contact every play. That’s what I play football for.”