No. 7 Alabama to host South Carolina after stunning loss at Vanderbilt

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer yells to an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Kalen DeBoer and No. 7 Alabama are hoping for a strong bounce-back. The Crimson Tide host South Carolina on Saturday a week after losing to Vanderbilt 40-35, just after grabbing the top ranking in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

The Gamecocks are also trying to rebound from a disheartening loss. They fell 27-3 to No. 9 Ole Miss and get another Top 10 opponent.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is leading the nation in passing efficiency while passing for 11 touchdowns and running for nine more. The Gamecocks have two dual-threat quarterbacks in LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe against South Carolina’s defense. Milroe still had success passing against Vandy but never got going running for the first time this season and had an interception returned for a touchdown. He still leads the nation in passing efficiency. The Gamecocks rank 22nd nationally allowing 296.8 total yards a game and are giving up 19 points a game (32nd). Kyle Kennard has 5 1/2 sacks and Dylan Stewart 3 1/2.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alabama: Safety Malachi Moore let his emotions get the best of him late in the loss to Vandy. But the two-time team captain is still expected to start and remains a key leader on a defense that couldn’t make key stops in that game. Moore ranks third on the team with 33 tackles and has broken up four passes.

South Carolina: Edge rusher Stewart is a freshman who has made an impact on the defensive line. He’s second on the team with 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Stewart has also been undisciplined at times, getting flagged against Mississippi for using finger guns after a stop on quarterback Jaxson Dart.

FACTS & FIGURES

It’s just the fourth meeting between South Carolina and Alabama since 2009 and the first time the Gamecocks have been in Tuscaloosa in 15 years. … South Carolina’s last win in the series came in 2010, a 35-21 victory over the No. 1 Crimson Tide. … South Carolina is second in the SEC with 10 takeaways. … The Gamecocks were held without a touchdown against Mississippi last week after scoring 30 or more points in three straight games.

Kickoff for South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at No. 7 Alabama (4-1, 1-1), is Saturday at 11AM CDT on ABC 32.

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