Alabama has a specific plan in place to make sure it doesn’t fall into upcoming trap game against South Carolina
The Crimson Tide can’t afford to slip up against the Gamecocks.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has fought tooth and nail to get the respect the team deserves after an embarrassing Week 1 loss. In fact, Alabama became the first team in the history of the SEC to beat four ranked opponents in a row (with no bye week).
Yet Texas A&M, Indiana, and Ohio State all rank above Alabama. Why is that? Because the FSU loss looms large, given what has become of that program.
So the last thing Alabama can afford to do is drop another one, against what is, on paper, an inferior opponent. Good thing Kalen DeBoer has a plan in place.
Alabama preaching fast start, winning critical downs against South Carolina
“I think starting games quickly, at least one side of the ball, getting stops or putting a score on the board,” said DeBoer via the Alabama Crimson Tide’s YouTube channel when asked about preventing complacency.
“But I think a lot of it is just execution in critical moments — converting a third down when it’s really loud on the first drive of the game, or getting the ball in the end zone, or getting a big stop — those things are the things that you need to have. And then as the game goes on and it is close, again, I talked about critical moments. I said it all offseason, ‘Be great in the critical moments.’ There’s been some close games.”
There is no such thing as a down week in the SEC. South Carolina might be 3-4, but it has one of the country’s most dynamic quarterbacks via LaNorris Sellers, who is among the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft despite his team’s slow start.
A brawny athlete with an absolute whip for an arm, Alabama knows he can change the game with his legs and arm, and the defense will need to be on high alert to make sure it doesn’t fall into the trap that South Carolina is looking to set.
“Watched a cut-up this morning with the defensive staff, and it’s just one play after the other,” said DeBoer of Sellers. “There was more. We didn’t even need to see it all because the point was very clear, and we’ve gotta make sure our guys continue to rally. We’ve faced running backs and guys that are tough to bring down, but this guy touches the ball every single play.
“So, you can get to him. That’s one thing. But you also, now, gotta get him down. It’s not gonna be just one. It’s gotta take multiple guys rallying, coming from different directions. He’s got the speed. He’s got the size. He’s just, he’s super strong. He’s a relentless player. He fights for every yard he can get.”
So the game plan is clear, but like any game, it comes down to execution. We’ll see if Alabama can manage the success of the last four weeks like the hiccup that was the FSU game.
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