South Carolina vs. Alabama predictions, other Week 7 games

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

Here’s how GamecockCentral and the 107.5 Sports Staff see this game going along with a few predictions on some of the key matchups this week.

George Bagwell: This is my first pick against South Carolina this year, but the Gamecocks left me with no choice after a lackluster performance last week. Alabama is good, no wonder. I’m a big believer in Jalen Milroe, just like I’m a big believer in LaNorris Sellers. But Alabama has real talent. Alabama 34, South Carolina 24.

Peyton Butt: Similar to Week 6, when the opponent is coming off a tough loss I think Alabama goes into Saturday with some anger. With the offensive struggles, I think South Carolina will struggle the most. 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. Vanderbilt had to go well to pull off the upset (zero turnovers, stupid Alabama penalties, good bounce on the deflection for the 6th pick etc.). Alabama averaged three more yards per play than Vandy AND STILL LOST! The numbers scream “fluke”. At home, I expect Bama to be more aggressive. I don’t expect the Gamecock offense to fix even half of its issues but it will get better. As much as I love the Gamecock defense (it’s actually a top 20 unit in the game), I think a tight end QB like Jalen Milroe is the worst possible match for them. Alabama 38, South Carolina 17.

Chris Clark: Despite the loss to Vandy, this is a Bama team that is still loaded with talent. Just a week before, it won Georgia. Are there any questions? Of course. But they are still good offensively, 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 any shot at winning. Obviously the offense 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 good shape. Alabama 34, South Carolina 17.

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

Tyler Head: The Gamecocks get a talented team that just got upset for the second week in a row. Vanderbilt showed more than the Tide is possible, but I don’t have the highest hopes of Carolina’s offense to win the track meet in Tuscaloosa. The defense can 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 play? If it was a bad game, this one will be harder than anyone expected. If Carolina plays like that again, it will be bad. Alabama 31 South Carolina 24.

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

Kendall Smith: It’s surprising that South Carolina keeps playing teams that were upset last week. Still, it’s hard to pick the Gamecocks based on the inconsistencies we’ve seen offensively. Again, Alabama will come into this one with a big point to pack. Alabama 34, South Carolina 13.

Mike Uva: Despite the challenge of going to 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 may be struggling right now, but South Carolina has a lot of people and they probably don’t have as much talent on the field as the Crimson Tide. The biggest issue Alabama has right now is defense. South Carolina’s problems reside in crime. I expect the Gamecock defense to do a good job in this game, but Alabama will be able to get their points. Can the same be said of South Carolina? Maybe not. Alabama 33, South Carolina 17.

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Chris Wellbaum: It could be the Gamecock’s biggest ever swing and beat Alabama. And in theory, South Carolina has the pieces to execute Vanderbilt’s game plan of several big passes, turnovers and quarterback runs. I don’t intend to predict it. Alabama 33, South Carolina 13.

Kevin Miller: South Carolina and Alabama appear to have very similar defenses this year. Both teams are talented, and statistically, the Gamecocks may be slightly better. However, the violations are not yet imminent. Unless the Gamecocks do something they haven’t done against any team other than Akron, they won’t get enough points on Saturday. It also doesn’t help that the Tide are coming off a bad loss to Vanderbilt. “Walking to sleep” won’t happen in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and Kalen DeBoer’s team will be ready. Carolina’s defense can keep this close for a while, but look for ‘Bama to pull away a bit in the second half. Alabama 31, South Carolina 14.