COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Gamecocks are desperate to get back on track as they welcome No. 4 Alabama to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday. It’s been nearly a month since the Gamecocks last tasted victory, and a win over the Crimson Tide would be their biggest statement of the season.
A Crucial Test for South Carolina
The Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4 SEC) are trying to avoid their third straight loss after falling 26-7 to Oklahoma last week. Under head coach Shane Beamer, South Carolina has only lost three in a row once — a four-game skid in 2023.
Meanwhile, Alabama (6-1, 4-0 SEC) is on a roll, riding a six-game winning streak since its season-opening loss to Florida State. The Crimson Tide took care of Tennessee 37-20 last weekend and continue to climb in the national rankings.
The all-time series heavily favors Alabama (12-4), but South Carolina fans still remember the 2010 upset — a 35-21 victory over then-No. 1 Alabama in Columbia. The Tide narrowly edged USC 27-25 in Tuscaloosa last season.
Game Information
- Who: South Carolina vs. Alabama
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
- TV: ABC
- Stream: ESPN.com / ESPN app
- Radio: Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Chet Tucker (local) | Nate Getter, Derek Rackley (Westwood One, national)
- SiriusXM: Channel 84
Betting Odds
Alabama opened as a 7.5-point favorite, but the line has since ballooned to 12.5, making this the largest spread South Carolina has faced this season and its biggest home underdog line in three years, according to VegasInsider.
Injury Update
The SEC injury report lists just a handful of Gamecocks:
- Out: OT Cason Henry (shoulder, season-ending)
- Questionable: OT Jatavius Shivers
- Probable: C Nolan Hay, DL Monkell Goodwine
Beamer said this week’s report is “as clean as we’ve had in a long time,” a positive sign heading into the Alabama matchup.
Weather Forecast
Fans attending Saturday’s game are in for ideal football weather. Expect sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s at kickoff, cooling slightly into the high 60s by the final whistle, according to AccuWeather.
Top Storylines
Offensive Struggles Under Fire
Boos echoed through Williams-Brice Stadium last week as fans voiced frustration toward offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Chants of “Fire Shula” followed another poor showing — just 224 total yards and seven points against Oklahoma. South Carolina currently ranks last in the SEC in total offense, a glaring issue Beamer’s staff must solve fast.
Can South Carolina Recreate 2024’s Turnaround?
The Gamecocks started 3-3 last season before rallying to finish 9-4, including four wins over ranked teams. With Alabama marking their third straight Top 25 opponent, the question is whether Beamer’s squad can flip the script again and spark a late-season surge.
Chasing 2010 Magic
Fifteen years ago, South Carolina stunned the college football world by knocking off No. 1 Alabama in Columbia. The odds are longer this time around, but with the home crowd behind them, could history repeat itself?
Players to Watch
South Carolina WR Jayden Sellers
The younger brother of quarterback LaNorris Sellers, Jayden led USC in receiving last week with six catches for 57 yards against Oklahoma. The true freshman continues to emerge as a bright spot in a struggling offense.
South Carolina DB DQ Smith
Despite missing one game, Smith leads the team with 38 tackles and owns the highest tackling grade on the roster, per Pro Football Focus. His consistency has been a cornerstone for the Gamecock defense.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson
A Heisman contender and arguably the best quarterback in the SEC, Simpson leads the conference with 18 touchdown passes and ranks second in yardage (1,931) while completing 70.2% of his throws. He’s thrown just one interception all year.
Alabama DB Bray Hubbard
A key piece of Alabama’s secondary, Hubbard has logged three interceptions — tied for the SEC lead — along with 36 tackles, ranking third on the team. He’s one of the Tide’s most reliable defenders.
Saturday’s clash between South Carolina and Alabama is more than just another SEC showdown — it’s a chance for the Gamecocks to rediscover their identity and maybe, just maybe, pull off another Williams-Brice miracle.
