Staff Picks: South Carolina at Alabama, other Week 7 matchups

South Carolina’s tough October slate continues with the start of a huge two-game road trip. The Gamecocks will travel to Tuscaloosa to face No. 7 Alabama on Saturday at noon on ABC.

Here’s how the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staff sees this game going plus a few predictions on other key matchups this weekend.

George Bagwell: This is my first time picking against South Carolina this year, but the Gamecocks left me no choice after a not-so-great performance last weekend. Alabama is good, no surprise. I’m a big Jalen Milroe believer, just like I’m a big LaNorris Sellers believer. But Alabama is really talented, y’all. Alabama 34, South Carolina 24.

Peyton Butt: Similarly to Week 6, with the opponent coming off a heartbreaking loss I think Alabama is going into Saturday with some pent up anger. With struggles on offense, I think South Carolina will struggle tremendously. Alabama 52, South Carolina 3.

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Elijah Campbell: The national perception of Alabama has changed after the loss to Vanderbilt but make no mistake, this is still a top five team in the country. So much had to go right for Vanderbilt to pull off the upset (zero turnovers, stupid Alabama penalties, a good bounce on a deflection for a pick 6 etc.). Alabama picked up three more yards per play than Vandy AND STILL LOST! The numbers scream “fluke”. At home, I expect Bama to be sharper. I don’t expect the Gamecock offense to have even half of its issues rectified but it will be better. As much as I love the Gamecock defense (truly a top 20 unit in the sport), I think a dynamic playmaking QB like Jalen Milroe is the worst match-up possible for them. Alabama 38, South Carolina 17.

Chris Clark: Loss to Vandy notwithstanding, this is a Bama team that’s still loaded with talent. Just the week before, it took down Georgia. Are there some questions? Sure. But they’re still really good on offense, and better than they showed last week. Alabama 31, South Carolina 17.

Terry Ford: The Gamecocks need the defense and special teams to step up with game changing plays if they have a shot to win. The offense obviously has to be “More LSU” and “Less Ole miss”. Kalen DeBoer is 73-1 at home in his coaching career and Bama is not in a good mood. Alabama 34, South Carolina 17.

Griffin Goodwyn: South Carolina’s defense has proven throughout the season that it has the ability to keep the team in the game, no matter the opponent its facing. But Alabama isn’t your average opponent and has two of the most talented offensive players in the country in Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams. The Gamecocks can only do so much against the Crimson Tide, and it likely won’t be enough to pull off an upset in Tuscaloosa. Alabama 38, South Carolina 10.

Tyler Head: The Gamecocks get a talented team fresh off an upset for a second week in a row. Vanderbilt showed outscoring the Tide is possible, but I don’t have the highest confidence in Carolina’s offense to win a track meet in Tuscaloosa. The defense may be able to make some play, but I think the Gamecocks come up short. Alabama 34 South Carolina 17.

Wes Mitchell: Is the South Carolina team we saw last week the real Gamecocks or a bad game? If it was a bad game, this one will be tighter than anyone expects. If Carolina plays like that again, it will be ugly. Alabama 31 South Carolina 24.

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Jay Philips: Of all the weekends for South Carolina to visit Tuscaloosa it comes at a time when Bama has just suffered one of the more embarrassing losses in program history. That said the Gamecocks didn’t light the world on fire in a very disappointing loss at home to Ole Miss. Here’s the difference right now: Bama can score a lot of points, Carolina not so much. The Gamecocks defense is very good, but it will need to be fantastic – and opportunistic – against the Tide to keep the team in this game. Stop the self-inflicted mistakes and there’s a decent path to an upset, especially if Bama is still hungover from last weekend. Unfortunately I don’t see it this time. Alabama 31, South Carolina 16.

Kendall Smith: It’s a bummer South Carolina keeps playing teams who have been upset the week before. Regardless, it’s tough to pick the Gamecocks based on inconsistencies we’ve seen offensively. Plus, Alabama is going to come into this one with a massive point to prove. Alabama 34, South Carolina 13.

Mike Uva: Despite the challenge of going into Tuscaloosa, I expect South Carolina to put up a good fight. But until this offense can show some consistency, it’s hard to pick them even if their defense can keep them in the game. Alabama 27, South Carolina 13.

Jack Veltri: Alabama might have its problems right now, but South Carolina has just as many and probably not as much talent on the field as the Crimson Tide have. The big issue Alabama has right now is the defense. South Carolina’s problems rest within its offense. I expect the Gamecock defense to do a fine job in this game, but Alabama is going to be able to score its points. Can the same be said for South Carolina? Probably not. Alabama 33, South Carolina 17.

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Chris Wellbaum: It would be the most Gamecock thing ever to turn around and beat Alabama. And in theory, South Carolina has the pieces to execute Vanderbilt’s game plan of a few big passes, turnovers, and quarterback runs. I’m just not willing to actually predict it. Alabama 33, South Carolina 13.

Kevin Miller: South Carolina and Alabama seem to have very comparable defenses this season. Both units are talented, and statistically, the Gamecocks might even be a little better. However, the offenses have not been close. Unless the Gamecocks do something they haven’t done on offense against any team other than Akron, they will not score enough points on Saturday. It also doesn’t help that the Tide are coming off of a bad loss to Vanderbilt. “Sleep walking” won’t happen in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and Kalen DeBoer’s team will be ready to rock and roll. The Carolina defense could keep this close for a while, but look for ‘Bama to pull away a bit in the 2nd half. Alabama 31, South Carolina 14.

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