COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s defense has made its presence felt this season, proving it can consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Leading that defensive surge are Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr., who have been relentless off the edge. Thomas leads the team with four sacks, while Stewart is close behind with 3.5 — forming one of the SEC’s most dynamic pass-rushing duos.
Alabama will be tasked with containing that pressure this weekend when the Crimson Tide visit Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tide managed to protect quarterback Ty Simpson in last week’s win over Tennessee, which entered the game as the SEC’s sack leader. However, the week before, Missouri broke through Alabama’s line four times — exposing some vulnerabilities that South Carolina’s front seven will look to exploit.
Simpson, who has been sacked 12 times this season, knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits him in Columbia.
“Guys are long, physical, fast,” Simpson said when asked about the Gamecocks’ defense. “It’s my job to get the ball out quickly, so I need to understand where they are at all times. And then two, understand I have to move up in the pocket and just know where those guys are at all times — what the down and distance is, what their type of rushing is on second and long or third and long, how they play on first down, stuff like that. They’re really, really good players. Their front seven, their back end, long and physical. We need to come out and be ready to go.”
If South Carolina’s defense continues its strong play up front, keeping Simpson protected could determine Alabama’s fate on the road — and might give the Gamecocks the edge they need to pull off an upset.
