What Alabama Football most needs to achieve against South Carolina

Alabama football fans want a 'get-well' win from the Crimson Tide over South Carolina. That wish may be fanciful because no win over the Gamecocks can erase the embarrassment of last week's defeat.

A win over South Carolina is a necessity. A large winning margin might be less important than Alabama showing marked improvement in key areas. Flaws evident in the Vanderbilt game require quick correction.

Statistically, Alabama is not a bad defensive team. The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 4 among SEC teams in opponent, average yards-per-play. Alabama and South Carolina are close in that stat, with the Tide allowing 4.52 yards and the Gamecocks allowing 4.55 yards. On Saturday, Alabama needs to be much better than its 4.52 yards, season average, after allowing the Commodores to average 5.6 yards in their 75 offensive plays.

Alabama defensive players are looking for play calls sooner than often happened against Vandy. Multiple college football experts have explained Alabama was too often out of position against the Commodores. That cannot happen against South Carolina. One reason is the Gamecocks don't run a tricky triple option. Another reason is the inconsistent South Carolina can't be a major threat to the Tide defense. If Alabama cannot hold the Gamecocks in check, what will happen in later matchups against better offenses? Alabama fans don't want to ever answer the question.

The Ole Miss defense chewed up the Gamecocks. South Carolina quarterback, LaNorrris Sellars was sacked six times. According to South Carolina insiders, one problem for Sellers is his receivers struggle to get open. With an average, at-best offensive line, Sellers holds the ball too long and the offense sputters. Running the ball effectively is a remedy for South Carolina. Alabama must get to Sellers frequently and produce no less than three or four sacks.

Sellers is a mobile QB. After what Diego Pavia did to Alabama, South Carolina must believe Sellers and Rocket Sanders can run on the Tide. Ole Miss held four South Carolina running backs to a 3.6-yard average carry in the Rebels 27-3 win over the Gamecocks. Alabama needs to match or better what the Rebels did to stuff the Gamecocks rushing attack.

What about the Alabama Football Offense

On offense, Alabama may try to establish a more effective rushing attack. That may not be easy. What the Gamecocks do best is defend the run. Alabama fans worry the Crimson Tide cannot just be 'boom or bust'. So far what the Alabama offense does best is produce explosive plays. Ryan Williams leads the FBS with 28.63 receiving yards per catch. He is not in the top 100, FBS receivers in total receptions. Grinding out first downs on the ground would be a plus, but could it be a few more targets to Williams would produce more? And when defenses choose to try and cloak Williams with two defenders, another Alabama receiver will often be open. Against South Carolina, it will be interesting to see the mix of plays called by Nick Sheridan.

Note: Alabama stats provided by rolltide.com. SEC team and individual stats provided by cfbstats.com. Ole Miss vs. South Carolina stats provided by ESPN.