Saturday is homecoming at the University of Alabama, and the No. 2 ranked Crimson Tide will look to remain undefeated as they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks.
After a lackluster offensive performance against the Ole Miss Rebels, the Tide will look to get back on track against a tough and physical South Carolina defense. Quarterback Greg McElroy, who was shaky at times against Ole Miss, will need a solid performance against another quality SEC defense.
The inability of Alabama to score touchdowns inside the red-zone was a factor against Ole Miss, and the Crimson Tide would love nothing more than to trade field goals for touchdowns against the Gamecocks.
On offense, Alabama will once again be led by running back Mark Ingram who has been nothing less than spectacular thus far in 2009. The offensive objective for the Crimson Tide will not change against South Carolina. Alabama will look to wear down the defense by establishing a solid ground attack. The Crimson Tide will need Mark Ingram, and freshman Trent Richardson, to have solid performances against a tough Carolina defense.
In order to be successful against the Gamecocks, Alabama will not only have to deal with a tough Carolina defense, but also a steady quarterback in Stephen Garcia. The South Carolina signal caller has been known for his inconsistency during his career, but Garcia has done a nice job thus far in 2009. Alabama will look to force Garcia to revert to his “old ways” by showcasing various blitz packages and defensive shifts. ‘Bama is a "brick wall" against the run, so Carolina must establish an "air attack" in order to have any chance against the Crimson Tide.
For the second consecutive year Alabama must avoid a letdown. The entire “college football world” will be watching every play from this moment forward, so Alabama must treat every opponent with the utmost respect, and play at a very high level for the remainder of the season. Now that Alabama is being talked about as the “best team in the country”…the Crimson Tide most play aggressive and disciplined football for the remainder of the season. The objective will not change...but the intensity will certainly rise.
In respect to the game with South Carolina, this would appear to be the “perfect game” for a letdown. Other than some shaky moments against Virginia Tech and Florida International, the Crimson Tide has been a solid football team who has controlled each and every game.
Steve Spurrier is still a very good football coach and has forgotten more about the game than most coaches know. Granted, South Carolina doesn’t have the talent to compete with Alabama, they do have an “iron fist” roaming the sidelines. If Carolina can remain disciplined and force Alabama to be inconsistent and capitalize on mistakes, this “could” be a close game in the final quarter.
However, if you live on the other side of the fence (like me), this will be yet another game where the “fate” of the opposition will be decided before the final quarter ever begins. South Carolina is ranked, and they are certainly a solid football team, but I can’t see how they can compete with Alabama for an entire game. This game (like many ‘Bama games) will be decided in the trenches and when Carolina has the football. The Alabama offense will slowly grind away at the Carolina defensive front, while the ‘Bama defense will force the Gamecocks to make mistakes that will lead to turnovers.
Like many opponents have found this season, holding back the “Tide” can’t be done with a broom. South Carolina will find themselves a little “water-logged” once the final quarter rolls around at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Prediction: Alabama 38 South Carolina 17
South Carolina/Alabama will be televised on ESPN with kickoff expected around
6:45 p.m. central time.
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