Georgia opens SEC play by facing a former Heisman favorite.

South Carolina is led by signal caller and Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler. Things didn't work out in Norman for Rattler, who entered the 2021 season regarded as one of college football's best before losing his job to Caleb Williams.

Rattler now gets a fresh start in Columbia. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs know they have a big challenge on their hands come noon on Saturday.

"He presents a lot of problems," linebacker Smael Mondon said. "He’s a super talented guy, got a strong arm."

In Rattler's first two starts at South Carolina, he has completed 47-of-76 passes for 604 yards, with two touchdowns to three interceptions. In his first SEC game against Arkansas last week, Rattler went 24-of-39 for 376 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Rattler has a huge arm. But more concerning for Smart and the Georgia staff is his ability to create and extend plays.

"He's a guy that can move around," Smart said. "You've got to be disciplined. You're going to have probably five to six snaps a game where you have to use scramble rules, you've got to plaster, take shots down the field. You've got to win 50/50 balls."

Georgia faced a similar quarterback to open the season in Bo Nix. The Bulldogs limited Nix to 21-of-37 passing for 173 yards and two interceptions, containing him from scrambling in the process.

Mondon said the Bulldogs did a good job of staying connected and being resilient during the Oregon game. Those lessons can now help them as they prepare for Rattler.

"I think it helps any time you face an athletic quarterback," Smart said. "We face one every day, you know? So it's like one of those deals that you get better the more you face a guy who has athleticism. You know, Spencer's a little different than Bo. I mean, he's a really good athlete. He's got great arm strength. He's got a lot of playing experience. But each guy's different because their offenses are different.”

Rattler and the Gamecock receivers will be a stern first-SEC test for Georgia's defense. If it can contain him as well as it did Nix, the Bulldogs will be in good position to start conference play with a win.