After a mostly disappointing showing in front of their home fans, the Alabama Crimson Tide still head into Week 4 3-0.

It wasn’t easy. The Tide went down against Florida State 21-6 at one point, before having to make a heroic comeback and win 50-36.

But now as the Tide gear up for the toughest stretch of their season, the South Carolina Gamecocks have revenge on their mind after falling to Mississippi State last week by the score of 41-34.

Perhaps it's too early to be making bold claims, but for both of these teams, this game holds major ramifications for the rest of the season.

Let’s take a look at three keys to the game for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s defense is clearly one of its biggest strengths, but after the Florida State game, it was clear that it hasn’t been completely figured out.

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack admitted on Monday that the defense had its worst performance through the three seasons he’s been in Tuscaloosa. Which was a total shocker given how strongly the defense competed against Kentucky.

Throughout Wommack’s tenure, there’s been one inconsistency with Alabama’s defense. Stopping mobile quarterbacks.

South Carolina’s quarterback, LaNorris Sellers is a prime candidate here. Last season, Sellers almost pulled off an upset against the Tide, where he rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown, creating pure havoc for Bama’s defense.

Last week, Florida State’s quarterback Ashton Daniels is known to be a dual threat, but luckily for the Tide, he didn’t have as much of an impact on the ground. For Bama, it’s all about being consistent. Having a spy on Sellers will certainly limit the kind of damage he can do on the ground.

While Sellers does have an exceptional arm, Alabama should want to make him throw. 

Not only does Alabama have one of the deadliest pass rushes in the conference, its secondary is one of the most productive in the SEC, despite a poor showing from cornerback Dijon Lee last week.

This isn’t even a key to the game. More like a key to the season.

The slow starts have to stop.

A visit from South Carolina is small potatoes compared to what Alabama is staring at down the road. This is the time for quarterback Keelon Russell to get it right.

To Russell’s credit, he’s always bounced back with heroic second half efforts, but if he continues to come into games with his eyes wide and his tail between his legs, it’s going to be a rocky road to December.

Starting next week, Alabama has five straight ranked matchups – all SEC opponents. With no bye.

Strap in after this week.

Alabama’s defense has taken some hits here, after it was revealed that linebacker Justin Hill will be out for a few weeks, and Desmond Umeozulu deals with turf toe.

That means true freshman Xavier Griffin will likely get a look for a big portion of the game.

Griffin shined in fall camp, earning high praise from Wommack, stating prior to kickoff that Griffin is ready to make an impact this season.

And it seems like Griffin is ready for the challenge. 

Outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson has compared Griffin to the likes of Bama legend Jihaad Campbell, a former first round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Alabama hasn’t been shy in letting the young birds fly. Last season, true freshmen Lotzier Brooks and London Simmons were given the keys to be key contributors for last season’s squad.

Griffin will have to be a big part of the Tide’s defense this week, and perhaps the next few weeks as well.