For Alabama fans interested in the Crimson Tide's history, Bama has played South Carolina only 18 times. Four were from 1937 through 1946; all Alabama wins. The Crimson Tide played the Gamecocks three times in the 1960s; again, all were Alabama victories.
Alabama's first loss to South Carolina was a 2001 road defeat, with South Carolina squeaking by 37-36. Since that loss, the Crimson Tide's record against the Gamecocks is 5-2, making the overall record for the series15-3 for the Crimson Tide.
Ask Alabama fans which loss was most disappointing, and most answers would be the 2010 game. In 2009, Alabama tromped South Carolina in Tuscaloosa, with Mark Ingram frequently running the Tide's wildcat offense. He punished the South Carolina defense with 246 rushing yards. After Greg McElroy threw two interceptions, Nick Saban abandoned the Alabama passing attack. South Carolina's quarterback Stephen Garcia was almost as ineffective as GMac.
The defending National Champion Crimson Tide went to Columbia in 2010. Alabama was not expected to have much trouble. But on that Saturday, a different Stephen Garcia was taking snaps for the Gamecocks. Garcia was 17-for-20, for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama's rushing attack was humbled, gaining only 36 yards. South Carolina stunned the college football world, beating Alabama 35-21. Alabama's expectations of back-to-back championships were crushed.
A worse loss for the Alabama Crimson Tide
After the Mike Price debacle, Mike Shula went 4-9 in his 2003 head-coaching debut for the Crimson Tide. The nine losses were the second-most ever for Alabama. Only Ears Whitworth's 1955 team did worse, with a 0-10 record. The Crimson Tide rebounded a bit in 2004, to a 6-6 record.
Alabama opened the 2004 season with wins over Utah State, Ole Miss, and Western Carolina. Next came a road loss to Arkansas, followed by Lou Holtz bringing South Carolina to Tuscaloosa. The Gamecocks were 3-1, losing to No. 3-ranked Georgia 20-16.
After Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle had been lost to injury, Marc Guillon became the Tide's starter. After an uneventful first half, the Gamecocks led 6-3. The Gamecocks scored two third-quarter touchdowns. From its second-quarter field goal, Alabama went 40 minutes without scoring a point.
On that Saturday, Lou Holtz had the more physical team, but the Crimson Tide's loss was mostly self-inflicted. Guillon and his replacement during the game, Spencer Pennington each threw two interceptions.
South Carolina's starting quarterback, Dondrail Pinkins, produced a Quarterback Rating (QBR) of 47.3. Guillon's rating was 6.0. South Carolina passed for 46 yards and beat Alabama by three scores.
The dreadful game cloaked Alabama fans with a real, rather than imagined, feeling of gloom and doom. How bad was the situation for the Crimson Tide? The following week, Mike Shula decided to start Guillon again.
Note: Post details provided by mcubed.net and Sports Reference
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