South Carolina-Alabama: Five Keys To a Gamecock Victory

As far as big games go in Columbia, South Carolina, this one ranks up there.

The anticipation in the city is enormous, and fans and coaches alike are all thinking that the chance for an SEC East crown is immediate.

While this may be true...Bama is coming to town. From what we have seen recently, Bama is the king of college football.

It will take a great all-around game for South Carolina to win this game. It can happen...I have faith that the Gamecocks will make a game of it. Last year, South Carolina gave Alabama its first real scare of the season, losing 20-7 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

This year, it will be just as close.

Here is the advantage chart for this week:

Position	South Carolina Advantage	Even	Alabama Advantage
Quarterback			X
Running Backs/Fullbacks			X
Wide Receivers		X
Offensive Line			X
Defensive Line			X
Linebackers			X
Defensive Backs		X
Special Teams			X
Coaching			X

Alabama really has depth and talent at every position. However, some are closer to being even than you would think. Alshon Jeffery leads the country in receiving yards, and the defensive backs are STILL highly talented.

The schemes have kept them from performing, but South Carolina does have NFL talent with Stephon Gilmore (one of the best corners in the country), Chris Culliver, Akeem Auguste, and DeVonte Holloman (if he can play).

The quarterbacks are closer to being even then you would think. Stephen Garcia has the No. 19-rated efficiency in the country. The only reason he doesn't get more respect from the media and fans is due to the head coach and his inability to praise the guy.

Marcus Lattimore is a great back, but not enough to overtake the powerful duo of Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram, who are unquestionably the best duo in the league.

For South Carolina to win, they must be perfect.

Here are the keys to a South Carolina victory.

1. Win with defense, not offense.

For South Carolina to win this game, they will need to hold Alabama to under 14 points, which seems like an impossible task. Carolina has talented defenders all around but lacks depth. The conditioning of the team will come into play with this.

South Carolina's offense, while talented (and much improved over last year), has not been yet consistent. Thinking that they will score more than 14 points may be a pipe dream. Can they? Sure. Will they? I guess that's why they play the game...stranger things can happen.

If Carolina gets an upset, look for the score to be somewhere in the ballpark of 17-14 or 14-10. Any higher, and my guess is Alabama wins.

2. Do not allow Alabama to get to 3rd-and-short. 

Alabama has the ability to run on first and second down for large chunks of yards with their amazing running backs.

On 2nd-and-short or 3rd-and-short, Alabama takes its shots. If Alabama hits with Greg McElroy, the game could get ugly, a la the Florida-Alabama game.

3. Do NOT turn the ball over!

This is a "no crap" statement, but South Carolina killed itself two weeks ago at Auburn with stupid turnovers. Four in the second half, in fact, led to Auburn coming back from a 20-7 deficit to win in the hard-fought SEC game.

If South Carolina turns the ball over four times, look for a great deal of "Roll Tide."

4. Keep Connor Shaw on the bench.

Look, anyone who has seen Connor Shaw knows he is the future, and he is a very good prospect. However, he is not ready to play in the SEC, as shown by his two critical interceptions at the end of the Auburn game.

Believe it or not, Garcia is a solid quarterback, and he gives South Carolina the best chance to win every game. If you see Connor on the field, chances are the Gamecocks are losing...or up big. Which one do you think is more likely?

5. Find ways to get Marcus Lattimore some running lanes.

The offensive line is key to winning this game. Pass protection must be there...but in order to win the game, South Carolina must rediscover its running game. This means holes need to be there for Lattimore (or whoever is carrying the ball) to get out and do some damage. 

When contact is made at the line, it is difficult to maintain solid drives.

This is obviously a tough battle, and the Gamecocks are looking uphill. I predict a Carolina loss, but I won't be surprised if they win.

Well, maybe a little.

Score: Alabama 24, South Carolina 13.