Happy Friday, everyone. Alabama plays at South Carolina tomorrow. I don’t know what went down at practice yesterday, but three new names were added to the injury report.
Alabama freshman wide receiver Lotzeir
Brooks is now doubtful to play against the Gamecocks. Brooks is fourth on the team with 255 yards receiving.
Geno VanDeMark, who leads the team in right guard snaps, is listed as questionable. Jaeden Roberts is second on Alabama in right guard snaps.
Tight end Danny Lewis is now listed as out along with linebackers Cayden Jones, Jah-Marien Latham and Qua Russaw, and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman.
Gentlemen, let’s try not to hurt one another, especially two days before a game. Rico Scott will probably get some additional run in Brooks’ absence, and Ryan Williams will likely stay on the field more as well. Roberts should get the nod at right guard.
Your game previews:
Again, South Carolina is way, way, way overdue to come up with a big game when the solid playmakers rise up and produce, but they’ve been all underwhelming from the start.
No, Alabama won’t do much of anything on the ground, and South Carolina will generate enough of a pass rush to matter, but once again, the offense won’t come through.
The Tide will have to work for it, but they’ll survive with a big push in the fourth quarter, and then it’s on to the two-week break.
Alabama 27, South Carolina 16
Colin Gay: Can Alabama find consistency not only in tackles-for-loss and sacks, but who it is that is providing that pressure? South Carolina has allowed 26 sacks in seven games, second-most in the SEC. Is Yhonzae Pierre turning into that star pass rusher Alabama really hasn’t had in the Kane Wommack era after a three-sack performance against Tennessee? Could it be James Smith or LT Overton? The Crimson Tide must find its go-to pass rusher. And South Carolina could be that time to find it.
Chase Goodbread: The Crimson Tide defensive front should be able to control the line of scrimmage against a South Carolina offensive line that’s struggled mightily this year. Look for pressure on QB LaNorris Sellers, but more importantly, Alabama’s run defense needs to be gap-sound and prevent the big play.
Alabama vs South Carolina score predictions
Colin Gay: No. 4 Alabama 38, South Carolina 14
Chase Goodbread: No. 4 Alabama 27, South Carolina 16
Records: Alabama 6-1, 4-0 vs. AP teams; South Carolina 3-4, 0-3 vs. AP teams
Opening Line: Alabama -13.5, O/U 46.5
Money line: Alabama (-500); South Carolina (+360)
Over/Under: 47.5 (O -110, U -110)FPI Projection Alabama by 10.8 points with a 82% probability to win game outright
Max: Alabama 34, South Carolina 17
Ty Simpson should find plenty of success against a below-average Gamecock secondary, while the Crimson Tide see little trouble defending a struggling South Carolina offense that’s far too reliant on Sellers to be the hero.
Dalton: Alabama 31, South Carolina 16
South Carolina has proven to this point that it cannot consistently score against good teams. Alabama controls the pace of this game as the Tide extend their winning streak to seven games.
Oklahoma ran the ball through South Carolina’s defense and stopped the Gamecocks in the red zone, but Beamer’s squad only trailed by seven at halftime.
The Gamecocks can’t afford empty trips or leaky defense against Alabama so it’s not a matter of punching first, but remaining consistent with discipline through four quarters.
Last year South Carolina’s talent kept it in the game but what’s on tape for the Gamecocks so far doesn’t mirror the situation in 2024. If South Carolina capitalizes on any Alabama mistakes, it might be closer than expected.
It’s more likely that Alabama pulls away in the second half.
Alabama 31, South Carolina 14
And this last one I had to link direct, from South Carolina beat writer Jordan Kaye of The State.
5 final thoughts, prediction for South Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama football game
If South Carolina somehow wins and someone tells you, “I knew the Gamecocks were gonna pull that out,” you will have just met a liar.
There is no proof that South Carolina has a chance of winning on Saturday.
It has the worst scoring offense in the SEC. The worst rushing offense in the conference. The second-worst offense on third down. And Alabama features the SEC’s best quarterback (Ty Simpson) along with some of the most-talented skill players the Gamecocks will face all season.
Just based on that alone, it’s hard to fathom South Carolina scoring more points than the Tide.
If South Carolina wins, it will be because it drastically changed the offense — either simplifying the playbook or adding myriad new wrinkles that completely catch Alabama off guard.
Sure, that’s possible. But, conventional wisdom tells you those changes would have been made against LSU (after the bye week) or against Oklahoma (after OL coach Lonnie Teasley was fired).
The only reason for a massive shift now — in late October — is pure desperation. Buy, hey, desperation forces creativity.
PREDICTION: Alabama 31, South Carolina 17
That last one is about is pessimistic a preview as you’ll ever see from a SEC opponent beat. He also notes that South Carolina will be honoring the 2010 team that pulled off an upset of Alabama, led by Stephen Garcia and Alshon Jeffery.
This game isn’t getting much national attention since the Tide is universally expected to roll on the road, and as we’ve discussed all week, that will be a test of how mentally tough this Alabama team is.
There is plenty to be encouraged about right now, and I question how much fight South Carolina has left in them. They are 1-4 in league play, with three teams currently ranked in the top ten left on the schedule. Bowl eligibility seems like a pipe dream at this stage. Secondary market ticket prices plummeted this week after the Sooners blew this team out in Columbia. Students organized a rally to demand the firing of OC Mike Shula.
This game is a prime example of Alabama playing against itself more than the opponent. If Kalen DeBoer can get his team to play with the same urgency they have the past four weeks, the Tide will win in a walk. This team has been on a mission since the opener, and I think it will continue this week. Look for the Tide to take a solid lead into the break and then lean on the Gamecocks in the second half with Daniel Hill. For a final score, let’s go with 34-10.
Of course, that is merely my opinion. Vote and give us yours in the comments.
Kane Wommack still believes that his team has plenty of prove in the pass rush department.
“We’re still inconsistent,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said Monday. “Very proud of Yhonzae Pierre and some of the things he did. I think you look at the plays he affected the quarterback, he did his job. He did his job at a high level. And when you do your job consistently, good things happen. That’s something we’ve continued to stress with him and a number of our players. Just doing your job at a more consistent, high level, and production will come from that. But at the same time, we’ve got to find a way to affect the quarterback better.”
