Alabama Hosts South Carolina
Undefeated Alabama Hosts South Carolina as a Heavy Favorite for Family Weekend
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Key Points
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The game is expected to be played in temperatures in the low 80s, cooling into the 70s by the final whistle, according to the National Weather Service.
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Alabama quarterback Russell threw for more than 300 yards against Florida State and added a 57-yard touchdown run, while the Tide’s offense has scored 48, 45 and 50 points in its first three games.
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South Carolina had opened the season with dominant wins over Kent State, 57-0, and Towson, 45-9, before its loss to Mississippi State.
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This will be the teams’ third consecutive meeting: Alabama won 27-25 in 2024 after South Carolina rallied late, then came back to defeat the Gamecocks 29-22 last season after trailing in Columbia.
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The game is sold out, although resale tickets are available through platforms including SeatGeek, StubHub, Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats; Family Weekend visitors can also tour sites such as the renovated President’s Mansion, Denny Chimes and the Paul W. Bryant Museum.
Alabama enters its matchup against South Carolina as a 12.5-point favorite, riding a 3-0 record into Saturday's 6 p.m. CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide have dominated offensively, scoring at least 45 points in each game, but defensive lapses against Florida State — including missed tackles and coverage breakdowns — have raised concerns heading into a sold-out Family Weekend game according to On3.
South Carolina arrives 2-1 after a shocking 41-34 loss to Mississippi State, despite opening the season with dominant shutout and blowout wins. The Gamecocks face injury issues of their own, with defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy ruled out, while Alabama's defense will miss key contributors Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu according to AtoZ Sports.
Alabama's Offense Clicking Despite Defensive Cracks
The Tide offense has been nearly unstoppable through three weeks. Quarterback Russell threw for 300+ yards against Florida State and added a 57-yard touchdown run. Alabama scored 48, 45, and 50 points in its first three games, showcasing an explosive attack that keeps opponents under constant pressure.
However, the defense showed real vulnerabilities in the 50-36 win over Florida State. Missed tackles and perimeter coverage problems plagued the unit, despite Alabama being one of six SEC fronts with at least 10 sacks through three games according to Bama Hammer.
South Carolina's Hot Start Derailed by Mississippi State
The Gamecocks opened dominantly with a 57-0 rout of Kent State and a 45-9 shellacking of Towson. Those wins suggested South Carolina's offense, led by inconsistent but talented quarterback LaNorris Sellers, could compete in the SEC. The loss to Mississippi State shattered that momentum.
South Carolina's 41-34 defeat exposed offensive inconsistency and defensive gaps. The Gamecocks will arrive in Tuscaloosa without key defensive players, making it harder to slow Alabama's high-scoring attack.
Recent Head-to-Head Trends Favor Alabama, But Close
Alabama has won five of the teams' past six meetings, including a 27-25 thriller last year after South Carolina rallied late. The year before, Alabama won 29-22 in Columbia despite trailing. Yet South Carolina has covered the spread in each of the last two matchups, showing it can hang with the Tide.
Saturday's game kicks off at 6 p.m. CT with temperatures expected in the low 80s, cooling into the 70s by the final whistle according to the National Weather Service. Stadium gates open at 4 p.m. for Family Weekend festivities including the Walk of Champions and Elephant Stomp.
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