Alabama has given its opponents a reason to believe early in games. Kentucky led the Crimson Tide 17–13 at halftime. Florida State had them down 21–6 in Tuscaloosa.
Both teams lost. That is the problem South Carolina must solve Saturday night.
The Tide beat Kentucky 45–17, then came back to beat Florida State 50–36. Against the Seminoles, Alabama scored on nine consecutive possessions after punting on its first two drives. This team can absorb a punch, find its rhythm and turn a close game into a track meet.
The quarterback
Keelon Russell is the player South Carolina has to make uncomfortable. The sophomore threw two interceptions against Kentucky, so he has shown he can make mistakes. A week later, he went 23-of-30 for 320 yards and three touchdowns against Florida State. He also broke a 57-yard touchdown run. Let him get comfortable in the pocket, and he can hurt you. Lose contain, and he can hurt you another way.
That puts pressure on South Carolina’s defensive front. Dylan Stewart and the Gamecocks need to affect Russell without opening an escape lane. Getting near him will mean little if he steps away and turns a broken play into an explosive gain.
The offense is more than Russell
Alabama ran for 247 yards against Florida State. Trae’shawn Brown, EJ Crowell and Daniel Hill give the Tide several backs it can use, while Lotzier Brooks caught eight passes for 101 yards in that game. Ryan Coleman-Williams leads Alabama in receiving yards through three games. South Carolina cannot devote all its attention to the quarterback and expect the rest of this offense to wait its turn.
The most troubling part for the Gamecocks is Alabama’s balance. If the Tide can run the ball the way Mississippi State did against South Carolina, Russell will get favorable downs and chances to attack downfield. Carolina has to win enough snaps against the run to make Alabama earn those throws.
Where South Carolina can attack
Florida State put 36 points and 377 passing yards on Alabama. The Seminoles built a 15-point lead and, even after losing it, scored again to pull within seven in the fourth quarter. Alabama’s defense made decisive plays, including three interceptions, but Florida State showed that the Tide can be hit through the air.
That opening means something only if South Carolina can execute. LaNorris Sellers will have opportunities to test this secondary. He has to deliver the ball accurately and make good decisions when those opportunities come. Alabama has already forced seven turnovers in three games. Against a defense that takes the ball away, a promising drive can become a touchdown going the other direction in a hurry.
My read from Enemy Camp
I see a talented Alabama team that has needed time to settle in, then has been devastating once it does. South Carolina’s chance is to pressure Russell early, hold up against the run and hit enough plays through the air to keep Alabama from taking control.
But the Gamecocks cannot mistake an early lead for control of this game. Kentucky led at halftime. Florida State led by 15. Alabama still put 45 and 50 points on them.
If South Carolina plays the way it did against Mississippi State, this could get away from them fast. If the Gamecocks are going to make Alabama sweat in Tuscaloosa, they will have to play four quarters of disciplined football. The first half alone will not be enough.
