After taking care of business against Florida State in non-conference action last week, Alabama will now begin the toughest part of its schedule with seven consecutive games against SEC competition before a one-week break against Chattanooga the week before the Iron Bowl.
Alabama is back home for a second straight week as it faces off against a South Carolina team it knows very well. The Crimson Tide and Gamecocks have played in each of the last two seasons, with Alabama earning narrow victories in both. Alabama beat South Carolina 29-22 in Columbia last season, scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:16 of game time to survive an upset bid.
Alabama hung on to beat South Carolina 27-25, surviving a Hail Mary after a successful onside kick, to avoid a stunning loss in Tuscaloosa in 2024.
While plenty has changed for the Gamecocks since those meetings, QB LaNorris Sellers is still running the show, and he's as dangerous as ever. Head coach Shane Beamer is on one of the hottest seats in the country, and coming off last week's home loss to Mississippi State, he and his team are desperate for a marquee win.
Every week during the season, we offer bold predictions for the game. Last week, we went a disappointing 1-for-4. We correctly predicted that Keelon Russell would produce 300+ yards and zero turnovers.
We got close on two others. EJ Crowell nearly produced the explosive play for a touchdown we predicted, and Ryan Coleman-Williams scored one of the two touchdowns we predicted.
Let's do better this week.
1. Yhonzae Pierre produces two sacks
It has been a bit of an unlucky start to the season for star Wolf LB Yhonzae Pierre. He only has one sack so far, despite generating significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He's the player at the top of the game plan for opposing offenses, and he's frequently facing double teams. He's still finding a way to get home, but that hasn't produced the numbers just yet. It's only a matter of time, though.
This week is as good a time as any for that to change. I think Pierre has a big game this week, producing at least two sacks. Alabama's defense is highly motivated after a disappointing performance overall against Florida State, where they allowed over 450 yards and 36 points.
Look for Pierre to lead the charge and get after Sellers.
2. EJ Crowell produces an explosive play for a touchdown
We were oh so close to this being correct last week against FSU. Crowell busted through the line for a 29-yard gain in the second half, but he stumbled, and it prevented him from breaking it for a long touchdown.
EJ Crowell is going to be so much fun to watch at Bama! pic.twitter.com/lJQjugWRBm
— JAiHAWKFLY℠ (@JAiHAWKFLY) September 20, 2026
It's only a matter of time before that happens, though.
He's too explosive for it not to.
Crowell was actually the No. 2 RB on the field for Alabama against Florida State, coming in on the first drive in place of Daniel Hill. They are going to continue ramping up his workload as the season progresses. Either as a runner or receiver, I think this is the week Crowell gets the ball, finds some space, and explodes for a touchdown of 40+ yards.
3. Keelon Russell has another 300+ yard day with zero turnovers
The light clicked on for Russell last week against Florida State. After Alabama went three-and-out on consecutive drives to open the game, Russell and the offense produced points on the next nine drives en route to putting 50 on the scoreboard. The most impressive part of the afternoon/evening was Russell throwing three touchdowns in the final three minutes of the first half to turn a 21-6 deficit into a 26-21 halftime lead for the Tide.
South Carolina's defense will be a bigger challenge than Florida State's. With Dylan Stewart healthy, the Gamecocks can put significant pressure on the young QB. He'll need to be sharp and willing to take what the defense offers instead of big-play searching.
I think Russell turned the corner last week and is going to continue building and getting better. He'll combine for over 300 yards of offense again this week and, more importantly, have a second straight clean week in the turnover department.
4. Noah Rogers reaches the endzone in his Alabama debut
NC State transfer WR Noah Rogers is expected to make his Alabama debut on Saturday. Kalen DeBoer said he and injured Tide RB AK Dear would be available against South Carolina during his Monday press conference.
I wouldn't expect a big role from either immediately as they work their way back into the lineup, but Rogers was expected to be a starter for Alabama in the spring before his injury. The staff is high on him, and I think that culminates with a couple of catches right away, one of which he's going to cash in for his first touchdown in crimson.
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