Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
3 matchups that could define Alabama football vs South Carolina Saturday
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- 3 matchups that could define Alabama football vs South Carolina Saturday
Alabama football returns home Saturday eager for a chance to respond.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide will host South Carolina after Alabama lost to Vanderbilt on the road Oct. 5, the first loss of the Kalen DeBoer era.
Advertisement
Alabama kicks off against South Carolina at 11 a.m. Saturday from Bryant-Denny Stadium . The game will be broadcast on ABC.
Alabama football vs South Carolina score prediction
Here are the three matchups that could define Alabama football 's SEC meeting with South Carolina Saturday.
Alabama football pass rush vs South Carolina offensive line
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Que Robinson (34) and Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Keanu Koht (19) pressure Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) causing him to be called for grounding while in the end zone resulting in a safety at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Pressure has not been the calling card of Alabama's defense through five games. The Crimson Tide has 10 sacks, tied for 11th-best in the SEC with Kentucky . Que Robinson (3.5) and Tim Keenan III (1.5) are the only Alabama players with more than one sack.
But Alabama has an opportunity against South Carolina. The Gamecocks offensive line has allowed 22 sacks in five games, the most in FBS.
Advertisement
Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach said "high discipline" will be a major factor for the Crimson Tide in how it effects LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks offensive line.
"I think that goes down in the rush areas," Roach said. "Where am I responsible for? And what's the next guy responsible for? And everyone being on the same page, being detailed with good eye discipline, good pad level and having the ability to run your feet when they do try to block you or win on one-on-one."
For a defense that has a reputation of only rushing three or four in a zone-based vision coverage scheme, Alabama may not need much to get home against South Carolina.
Alabama right tackle Elijah Pritchett vs South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart
Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) scrambles behind blocking by offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett (57) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina's defense will also be providing its share of pressure against Alabama.
Advertisement
While left tackle Kadyn Proctor's assignment is likely Kyle Kennard, the Georgia Tech transfer, who leads South Carolina with 5.5 sacks and nine tackles-for-loss, Elijah Pritchett will be tasked with stopping star freshman Dylan Stewart, who had three tackles-for-loss and one sack against Ole Miss .
According to Pro Football Focus, Pritchett has allowed two sacks, eight hurries and 10 pressures through five games.
Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said the Crimson Tide will face "two premier pass rushers" in Stewart and Kennard.
"We have a challenge ahead of us," Kapilovic said. "I'm kind of anxious to see how we match up."
Advertisement
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack vs 'a response' after Vanderbilt
Kane Wommack admittedly faces a "tremendous challenge" this week against South Carolina. But it's not the Gamecocks offense that's posing that challenge, one that averages 28 points per game with one of the worst third-down conversion rates in college football.
"Our guys, myself included, our coaches, cannot wait to get back out on the field on Saturday at Bryant-Denny," Wommack said Monday "I think we're going to play with a level of urgency that our fans would appreciate and a response that we all expect for Alabama to have on defense going into this week."
Advertisement
Is Alabama football hitting 'panic button' on defense?
It's a response that is necessary after the Crimson Tide allowed 418 yards and 40 points to Vanderbilt on the road, after Alabama allowed the Commodores to convert on 12 of 18 third-down attempts.
All eyes will be on Wommack's "response" Saturday afternoon.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 3 matchups that could define Alabama football vs South Carolina
