re: 2 Games, 2 States, 1 Long Weekend - Columbia/Athens

3 hours from Atlanta to Columbia, unless there's a wreck or heavy traffic in Atlanta. Once you get past metro Atlanta, there is absolutely nothing save Augusta in between.

From Columbia to Athens will probably be 2.5 hours. I would recommend that, after the Thursday game between USC and A&M, eat a late brunch/early lunch in Columbia and take Highway 378 to Athens. It turns into Hwy 78 around Thomson, Georgia. This is a longer route than I-20, but you will see some amazing countryside in both states.