South Carolina is set to face No. 7 Alabama in an exciting SEC matchup on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This encounter marks the 17th all-time meeting between the teams, with Alabama leading the series 13-3 and having not lost to the Gamecocks since 2010.
Recent performances highlight the unpredictability of this season, as Alabama is reeling from a shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt in Week 6. This defeat marked Alabama’s first loss to Vanderbilt since 1984 and only the fourth time in history that the Crimson Tide have been beaten by an unranked team while ranked No. 1. As a result, Alabama dropped from the top spot to No. 7 in the latest AP Poll, marking the largest fall for a No. 1 team since 2010 when Ohio State fell to No. 11 after losing to Wisconsin.
On the other hand, South Carolina has struggled in SEC play this season. The Gamecocks started strong with a 31-6 victory over Kentucky but have since faced difficulties, suffering a tough loss to LSU and a disheartening 27-3 defeat against Ole Miss. That performance against Ole Miss resulted in the fewest points scored by South Carolina under coach Shane Beamer since they were shut out by Clemson in November 2021.
The game will be broadcasted live on ABC, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Historically, Alabama appears poised for a rebound after their upset loss. The Crimson Tide has not lost consecutive regular-season games since 2007, Nick Saban’s inaugural year, and they boast an impressive streak of 79 consecutive home victories against unranked opponents. Conversely, South Carolina has lost its last seven matchups against ranked teams, a streak dating back to late 2022.
The battle at the line of scrimmage will be crucial. South Carolina’s quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, has yet to fully realize his potential, partially due to injuries and a lack of support. The Gamecocks are the only SEC team to have allowed more than 20 sacks, with opponents reaching their QB 22 times this season. In contrast, Alabama’s pass rush has been inconsistent despite managing 11 sacks, which ties them for 11th in the SEC.
Alabama’s wide receiver Ryan Williams has emerged as a remarkable talent this season, tallying 544 receiving yards—the most for a true freshman since Michael Crabtree in 2007. His six touchdown receptions rank him among the top freshmen nationally, and he averages an impressive 28.6 yards per catch, leading all players in this category. Williams poses a continuous threat to the opposing defense with several receptions over 50 yards this season.
In terms of predictions, while South Carolina may not have the offensive firepower to exploit Alabama’s vulnerabilities like Vanderbilt did, they are stronger defensively. They have the athleticism to contain Alabama’s quarterback, Jalen Milroe, which could lead to a lower-scoring affair. Although South Carolina is capable of covering a significant spread, it is anticipated that Alabama will secure a comfortable victory. The suggested pick is South Carolina +21.5.