No. 22 South Carolina vs. No. 2 Alabama: Five Keys To a USC Victory

South Carolina hits the road this weekend to play the powerhouse that is Alabama.

We will finally be able to truly see how far South Carolina has come this year, and potentially see where South Carolina truly lies in the SEC. A win by the Gamecocks would be a monstrous upset, as well as establish South Carolina as an elite SEC team, and potentially an elite national team.

It would surely raise South Carolina's national recognition. 

Beating Alabama is a tall order, period. Beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa is well... like scaling Mount Everest in your underwear with nothing but a toothpick to serve as a tool. 

South Carolina MUST play the best game of the entire existence of the program to win this game.

Here are the five things that must happen in order for South Carolina to steal one away from the Crimson Tide. 

1. Control the line of scrimmage on offense.

For South Carolina to even stand a chance, the offensive line MUST play better. The line has been serviceable at best, and has been pretty good in pass protection, but they have to be nasty this week. 

They must discover a high gear to open up the running game. 

2. Use the passing game to open up the run.

South Carolina likes to establish a running game and then hit the air. Well, I think that the best course of action this week is for South Carolina to take shots early. If they can connect on a few, South Carolina will be in a great position to run the draws that have worked so well the past few weeks. 

South Carolina has proven that the receivers are capable, with Alshon Jeffrey breaking out last week, joining Tori Gurley and Moe Brown as a legitimate threat.  Jason Barnes has talent, as well, and we may even see Wesley Saunders this week. 

3. Force a turnover. 

South Carolina has not been producing many turnovers this season.  There have been numerous dropped interceptions, and Eric Norwood has been quiet on the forced fumble department lately. If South Carolina allows Alabama to play mistake-free, Alabama will win the game. 

Stephon Gilmore, if you find a way to intercept a pass in a big situation this week, you will become a legend. 

4. Stop the Alabama running game.

Alabama has a great running game that serves to set up a tremendous passing game. South Carolina must bottle up the run, because when it gets going, the passing game starts to dominate, and it will become a one-sided affair. 

The defensive tackles must play very well, even though the depth is not there. Look for the linebackers to play a lot of run support and run some run blitzes to try to counteract the big uglies that Alabama has up front.

5. Go back to playing mistake free football. 

Stephen Garcia lost a fumble and threw an interception (his first in 123 attempts) to keep the Kentucky Wildcats in the game.

That can't happen this week.   

Alabama makes you pay when you give them the ball.  To keep it close, the players need to constantly think about ball security. 

I think this game will be close...but Alabama will run away with it.

Prediction: Bama 28, SC 17