The Alabama Crimson Tide are in some danger heading into their matchup against South Carolina.
The Alabama Crimson Tide have gotten off to a 3-0 start this season, but it certainly hasn't been pretty.
They were behind 17-13 to Kentucky at halftime in Week 2. They trailed Florida State 21-6 this past Saturday. Their defense, which was supposed to be elite, got absolutely shredded by the Seminoles in Alabama's last game.
And now, the Crimson Tide will welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to Tuscaloosa this weekend in a game that could be far more difficult than many anticipate.
Actually, at this point, perhaps Alabama fans expect a fight.
South Carolina is not one of the top teams in the SEC. That's for sure. But it is better than Kentucky, and it possesses a quarterback viewed as a potential first-round talent in LaNorris Sellers.
Sellers has been disappointing, sure, but he is still a dangerous dual threat who could hurt the Crimson Tide more than any other signal-caller they've seen thus far.
South Carolina is averaging 45.3 points per game thus far. Yes, I understand a huge chunk of that production came against Kent State and Towson, but the Gamecocks also dropped 34 points on a tough Mississippi State defense last week.
This squad is not a pushover, and if Alabama doesn't immediately set the tone from the get-go, it could be in for some trouble.
Kalen DeBoer's group is favored by 12.5 points at home, and the oddsmakers are only giving 'Bama a 48 percent chance of covering the spread. That obviously means many feel this contest will be relatively close.
Now, do I think the Crimson Tide will win this game? Absolutely. At their best, I think the Tide are one of the most gifted teams in the country.
But we've also seen how inconsistent Alabama can be, and that can certainly be dangerous against a ready opponent.
It's not just Sellers when it comes to South Carolina, either. The Gamecocks have a ridiculously versatile backfield that includes Matt Fuller, Jabree Coleman, Isaiah Augustave, Jawarn Howell and Christian Clark. That's five capable running backs plus Sellers that 'Bama will need to contain on the ground.
South Carolina is actually seventh in the country in rushing yards per game, and while Alabama is fifth in stopping the run, the Crimson Tide have yet to see a rushing attack like that of the Gamecocks.
Alabama should win this game. It should get to 4-0 before truly getting into the meat of its schedule, which features a matchup at Mississippi State on Oct. 3. But it also cannot overlook South Carolina.
