Jalen Milroe drags Alabama to season-saving win against South Carolina after shaking off rough start

The Alabama Crimson Tide were pushed to the brink of another loss as South Carolina had a go-ahead field goal lined up with a few minutes left in the game. Despite a furious comeback attempt that gave South Carolina a chance to take the lead at the end, it was Jalen Milroe and the Tide standing tall from the 27-25 win.

Milroe, who had an uneven game that crescendoed in the second half as the Tide needed it the most, again served as the team's offensive engine. Head coach Kalen DeBoer hasn't had much of a choice, as Ryan Williams is his only other consistent difference-maker on offense.

Despite the unit's best efforts, the team rides and dies with Milroe's performance.

Although Milroe completed 16 of 23 attempts for 209 yards and added 42 rushing yards, it's clear that athletic defenses can slow the dual-threat playmaker. Closing up rush lanes with zone defenses can only be overcome with deeper passing concepts, but executing those attempts is difficult without Isaiah Bond or another threat helping Williams.

The run game outside Milroe was putrid, as Jam Miller and Justice Haynes combined for 68 yards on 20 attempts. Despite Milroe totaling three touchdowns, the offense sputtered for a long stretch. His two interceptions and safety taken on a sack all but erased the fact Alabama raced out to a two-score lead.

Trouble was in the air as the second half progressed, as Milroe's second interception set South Carolina up for a drive that could have led to a two-score lead. Alabama got lucky as the Gamecocks gave the ball back via a fumble on the next play. Then, Milroe tuned into his powers as the Tide trailed 19-14 with 12 minutes to play.

While it's concerning just how much Milroe has to do for this offense to work, he continues to come through in the clutch. He produced five key plays on the final two drives, each resulting in a needed touchdown. His 34-yarder to an open Germie Bernard came on a broken play, and ended up being the deciding score.

Alabama fans can hope this is just DeBoer and Milroe surviving as long as they can each week until the defense gels, the roster stops making mental errors, and another playmaker than Williams emerges. Maybe it all clicks soon, but it'll need to, or the Tide will be at massive risk of losing more difficult battles soon.