Just how good is No. 8 Alabama?
The Crimson Tide are 3-0 and have wins over East Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida State in their account, but it will take more than that to convince the college football world that the Crimson Tide are back to being a juggernaut.
A convincing win over a desperate South Carolina team could help push that narrative, but a slip-up could put Kalen DeBoer right back on the hot seat.
Alabama is a 12.5-point favorite over the Gamecocks on Saturday night.
South Carolina vs. Alabama odds, prediction
Perhaps no coach in the SEC is facing more scrutiny than Shane Beamer right now. South Carolina looked poised to make a real leap after Beamer led them to a nine-win season in 2024, but things have gone downhill since then. The Gamecocks went 4-8 in 2025 and were just dealt their first loss of the season against Mississippi State in Week 3.
If the Gamecocks fall flat in Tuscaloosa, it could be curtains for Beamer in Columbia.
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Part of the reason fans in South Carolina were so optimistic about the future was quarterback LaNorris Sellers. After a smashing freshman campaign, Sellers was touted as a Heisman candidate in 2025, but he, like the team, underwhelmed. It hasn’t gotten much better for the junior quarterback, and the fanbase is growing restless after a poor showing at home against Mississippi State.
While Sellers’ stock is plummeting, the opposite is true of Keelon Russell after his performance last week against Florida State. Alabama’s redshirt freshman quarterback completed 23-of-30 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns against the Seminoles, leading the Tide to a wild 50-36 victory.
The Gamecocks’ defense can be a chore to deal with, but Alabama seems to be trending in the right direction, while things are on the verge of turning toxic in Columbia. This is a big spread, but I have a tough time seeing South Carolina’s offense keeping pace on Saturday.
The Play: Alabama -12.5 (-110, DraftKings)
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
