It's still difficult to fully buy into Kalen DeBoer as Alabama's head coach. The Crimson Tide is off to a 3-0 start, earning back-to-back wins over Power Four opponents, including a road win over Kentucky that suddenly looks even better after the Wildcats took down Texas A&M in College Station this weekend.
But the slow starts of the last two weeks have compounded a major issue that has popped up under DeBoer: A lack of ability to have his team ready to go at the start of the game. Add that in with his Kryptonite of getting the Crimson Tide up for games in which they are significant favorites, and that might be a bad recipe this weekend against a desperate South Carolina team.
After a loss to Mississippi State at home, South Carolina fans are calling for Shane Beamer's job. His seat is hot, and he'll be desperate for a signature win to stave off the pitchforks and torches.
Per FanDuel, Alabama has opened as a 12.5-point favorite at home against South Carolina in the first night game of the year at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama is a near two touchdown favorite over South Carolina in Week 4
With the murderer's row stretch of four games looming, these next two weeks against South Carolina and Mississippi State are of the utmost importance for Alabama to take care of business. Getting to 5-0 would put the Crimson Tide in excellent playoff position before facing Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and LSU in a row.
ESPN's FPI gives Alabama an 82.5% chance of winning. South Carolina is a talented team, however, with a QB in LaNorris Sellers, who is capable of giving a suddenly suspect Tide defense a lot of issues. He's a better athlete and passer than Ashton Daniels, who had a field day against the Alabama secondary.
The Gamecocks also have one of the best players in the country off the edge in Dylan Stewart, who will be the most significant individual test for Alabama's improved offensive line. Don't let the spread fool you; this is a team capable of winning in Bryant-Denny Stadium next week, especially if Alabama falls victim to another slow start.
DeBoer has to get that figured out. Alabama can't afford to spot South Carolina - or any of the remaining teams on its schedule - a two-touchdown lead. That's a recipe for losing a game they shouldn't, which has been a staple of DeBoer's first two seasons in Tuscaloosa.
This Alabama team has a high ceiling, but with DeBoer, the floor has consistently been lower than it should be. They've avoided an upset the last two weeks despite getting off to poor starts. It will eventually bite them in the butt, perhaps as soon as this week, if it isn't addressed and fixed.
This week is as good a time as any for Alabama to figure it out, start the game fast, and roll past South Carolina before a tricky road game against Mississippi State the following week in Starkville.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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