E70 S1 BH Bama SC Preview Final Thoughts on Win over TNBama still in control of its own playoff Destiny. 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SEC -- Where are we now? Bama in control of its own destiny On track to win SEC regular season and qualify for the SEC championship game -- What is next? Heisman Candidate – Ty Simpson 1. Alabama Controls Its Own Destiny Alabama sits at 6-1 (4-0 SEC) and is in full control of its path to the SEC Championship Game. A win in Columbia would keep the Tide firmly on track for an SEC title berth and potential playoff contention. 2. One of the Hottest Teams in the Nation The Tide rolls into Week 9 with a six-game winning streak, fresh off a 37–20 victory over #11 Tennessee — one of the most complete performances of the Kalen DeBoer era. 3. Ty Simpson Emerging as a Legitimate Heisman Candidate Quarterback Ty Simpson has been stellar: • 70.2% completions, 1,931 passing yards, 18 TDs, only 1 INT. His efficiency and poise have vaulted him into the Heisman conversation, especially if Alabama keeps winning. 4. Trap Game Alert: Don’t Sleep on South Carolina Despite being a heavy favorite (–13.5), Alabama must avoid complacency. The Gamecocks upset a #1-ranked Tide in 2010, and this matchup has the potential for a trap game, especially on the road in Columbia. Mike Shula should look at how Vanderbilt and Oklahoma beat Bama last year and follow that game plan for South Carolina. Bama needs to be focused and locked-in to avoid a let down and avoid the upset. South Carolina is a desperate team fighting to salvage its season that has been very disappointing so far. 5. Battle of Dual-Threat QBs It’s a showdown between Ty Simpson and LaNorris Sellers, both dual-threat quarterbacks. Sellers gave Bama fits last year in Tuscaloosa — a narrow Alabama win — and he’s capable of big plays despite South Carolina’s offensive woes. LaNorris Sellers is a true dual threat QB and could give Bama fits like other dual threat QB’s have in the past. He is bigger, stronger, and faster than all the QB’s Bama has faced this year. 6. South Carolina’s Offensive Struggles Are Real The Gamecocks’ offense ranks among the nation’s worst: • 20.1 PPG (115th nationally) • 297.7 YPG (129th) • 33% on 3rd downs (121st) Despite talented pieces like Sellers, Rahsul Faison, and Nyck Harbor, execution and offensive line play have been major issues. 7. Strength vs. Weakness Matchup Alabama’s elite defense (allowing just 17.7 PPG, 22nd nationally) faces a South Carolina offense that’s averaging less than 300 yards per game. On paper, it’s a major mismatch — particularly Alabama’s #10-ranked pass defense against Sellers’ struggling passing attack. But South Carolina could gash Bama in the run game using Sellers as a running QB and as a scrambling QB in the passing game. 🩹 8. South Carolina’s Injuries and Suspensions Pile Up The Gamecocks’ offensive line is banged up — multiple starters (Henry, Sharpe, Baugh) missed time vs. Oklahoma. Key defender Dylan Stewart is questionable with a hip injury. That depth concern could be exposed against Alabama’s physical front. ⚙️ 9. Mike Shula’s Offense Under Fire in Columbia South Carolina’s offensive coordinator Mike Shula has become a lightning rod for criticism as the unit ranks 127th in total offense. Penalties and poor execution have crippled drives, adding pressure on head coach Shane Beamer to “fix it.” 🏟️ 10. The Focus: No Oklahoma Letdown Repeat Alabama cannot afford a repeat of the 2024 Oklahoma letdown, when the Tide were upset in November. DeBoer’s message this week: Handle business, avoid distractions, and finish strong heading into the championship push. labama carries a six-game winning streak into the matchup, while South Carolina has lost four of its last five games. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 25, in Columbia, S.C.

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