3 bold predictions for Alabama Football vs. South Carolina

Alabama Football is in need of a big bounce back win this week as South Carolina comes to Tuscaloosa. The Tide is coming off of a disappointing road loss to Vanderbilt, its first loss to the Commodores in 40-years, and the first sure sign that Nick Saban is no longer roaming the sidelines.

Alabama only dropped to No. 7 in the AP Poll after getting all he way up to No. 1 following the win over Georgia, so all goals are still ahead of this team. They have to flip the page, get over the loss, and move forward.

All reports from practice this week have been positive, with the Tide relishing the opportunity to get back onto the field and put the Vandy loss in the rearview.

Alabama needs to bounce back in a big way against South Carolina - just winning won't be good enough for Tide fans who have already jumped off the bandwagon following last week's defeat.

3 Bold Predictions

3. Ryan Williams continues his touchdown streak

There wasn't a lot of good to come out of the Tide's trip to Nashville aside from Ryan Williams once again making a ridiculous play in a clutch moment for the second week in a row.

It's impossible to overstate how good this kid has been already. Among pass catchers with at least 10 receptions, Williams leads the country with an absurd 28.6 yards-per-catch average. He's 12th in the country overall with 544 yards, and tied for 5th in the nation (tied for 1st in the SEC) with six receiving touchdowns.

Williams has scored a touchdown in every game he's played for Alabama this season. He scored two touchdowns in his debut against Western Kentucky, and has scored a single touchdown in every game since.

He had the game-winning touchdown against Georgia, and then had the ridiculous one above late in the third quarter that cut the Vanderbilt lead to two.

I think that streak continues this week and Williams has another big game for the Crimson Tide.

2. Alabama produces four or more sacks

Alabama couldn't produce many havoc plays against Vanderbilt. Kane Wommack didn't call many blitzes for fear of Diego Pavia's legs.

The defense got torched to the tune of 33 points (with another seven coming via pick six), and rarely got pressure on Pavia. It was the first game this season that the Alabama defense didn't produce a single sack.

Had the gameplan against the 'Dores worked, you might have seen Wommack go back to it this week against a South Carolina team with a mobile QB. Either LaNorris Sellers or Robby Ashford can make a lot of plays with their legs, but the Tide defense can't afford to play passively any more.

I think Alabama's defense will be the aggressor this week. Even with mobile quarterbacks, South Carolina ranks 133rd (next to last) in the country in sacks allowed per game, giving up over four per contest.

I think Alabama will bring consistent pressure and finish the game wth at least four sacks, possibly more. The pressure will directly lead to turnovers, which ultimately will lead to:

1. Alabama scores a defensive touchdown

I've called it a couple of times this season and it hasn't happened yet, but it has to eventually, right? Alabama forced four turnovers against Georgia, but couldn't force any against Vanderbilt last week.

That changes this week; the Crimson Tide will force a turnover or two. I think there will be renewed defensive energy, embodying the "swarm" philosphy.

I expect a big bounce back performance defensively, highlighted by either a pick-six or a scoop-and-score off of a sack.