SEC Nation crew shares picks for South Carolina-Alabama

South Carolina football has an big afternoon matchup against Alabama on Saturday. In search of a much-needed fourth win, the Gamecocks kick off against the Crimson Tide at 3:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on ABC. Earlier in the day, the SEC Nation crew, live from Norman, Oklahoma, for Ole Miss-Oklahoma, shared some of their thoughts and predictions for the Gamecocks’ matchup with the Crimson Tide.

Roman Harper, a former defensive back for Alabama under Mike Shula, emphasized South Carolina’s recent performance against Alabama as a reason for the Crimson Tide not to be complacent on Saturday.

“South Carolina is a dangerous team,” Harper said. “This is the same team that everybody said you’re supposed to blow out last year and you were one pass away from losing that game (against South Carolina),” Harper said.

Jordan Rodgers, former quarterback for Vanderbilt, however, warned that Alabama might be playing as well as any other college team.

“They (Alabama) are becoming a championship-level team,” Rodgers said. “In a bunch of different areas, week after week they’re proving it.”

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Former Florida Gator, Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow, was more bullish on South Carolina and starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers‘s chances Saturday.

“You cannot let him (Sellers) go. He is a game-wrecker and he hasn’t really shown it this year, but if you’re thinking he’s not planning to have a breakout game this afternoon at home in that environment…” Tebow said. “There’s a lot he’s playing for, and I think you’re going to see him play with the greatest amount of effort we’ve seen this entire year this afternoon to make a statement against ‘Bama.”

Katie George also reported from Columbia on Saturday morning. George made a point to highlight South Carolina’s success after last season’s loss to Alabama.

“That was the turning point for this group,” George said. “They went on to win their final six games of the season. Shane Beamer said something similar could happen today, and it’s worth mentioning that Shane Beamer is 6-0 against ranked opponents in the month of November.”

South Carolina-Alabama Predictions

Tim Tebow: Alabama

Why Tebow picked Alabama: “I’m going to go Alabama, I think South Carolina shows some improvement, I think LaNorris makes some plays, but I just think the firepower of Alabama, the way Ty Simpson has been playing, it’s too much.”

Jordan Rodgers: Alabama

Why Rodgers picked Alabama: “I think South Carolina will make it interesting early. They have a lot of talent, they’re just not a complete football team right now. And Alabama is, especially with Ty Simpson, so I’m riding with Tide.”

Roman Harper: Alabama

Why Harper picked Alabama: “South Carolina has struggled with protecting the quarterback. LaNorris Sellers is a superstar, but they don’t have a lot around him that’s playing that well right now. And for Alabama, it’s all about the mentality that is ‘come in your trap and take over your trap.’ I’m going with Alabama.”

Paul Finebaum: Alabama

Why Finebaum picked Alabama: “15 years ago, when Garcia upset Nick Saban…but that’s not today. Roll Tide.”

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