South Carolina secondary excited for challenge of Alabama offense

South Carolina enters Saturday’s homecoming matchup as a 12.5-point underdog against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide. The mark is the Gamecocks’ worst home spread since November 2022, when South Carolina faced No. 5 Tennessee as 20.5-point underdogs.

The line isn’t without merit either as South Carolina enters at 3-4. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide are rising since their season-opening loss to Florida State at 6-1. The Alabama offense also brings a group full of weapons behind its quarterback, Ty Simpson.

However, the Gamecock defense is excited for the challenge, defensive coordinator Clayton White said.

“We’ve got to do a great job, and our guys are ready for the challenge,” White said of the Alabama wide receivers. “They’re fired up about it, to be honest with you.”

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Alabama’s offensive success starts with its system. The Crimson Tide ranks 33rd nationally in points per game, alongside 11th in passing offense and 6th in redzone offense.

“Yeah, they have a really good system where, I mean, I think their backup running back has 16 receptions themselves,” White said of Alabama’s offense. “So it’s like they do a great job of spreading the field, and make sure they hit their open spots in the soft spots in zones, and they find their matchups they want.”

Alabama’s offense features two of the top ten receivers in the Southeastern Conference in terms of yards, Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. Saturday won’t be the first time White’s defense has faced the pair.

Against the Gamecocks in 2024, Bernard led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards, catching four passes for 89 yards. Meanwhile, Williams grabbed four passes himself for 32 yards.

While Alabama brought in a new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, who coached with head coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said the Alabama offense is still similar to last year.

“I think it’s a lot of the same stuff,” Beamer said during his SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday. “Obviously, that entire offensive staff is still there. … But certainly when you have a new play caller, he’ll bring his (own) flavor and style.”

Beamer reaffirmed the similarities between Alabama’s 2024 and 2025 offenses. However, with different style quarterbacks, obviously, there will be some differences. Something that jumped out to the Gamecocks’ head coach is the efficiency that Alabama works with and their domination of time of possession.

“They move their receivers around so well,” White said. “You have to just really play left and right. You have to understand what jersey numbers in front of me. It’s not just a body, it’s a jersey number.”

White said that for the South Carolina secondary to be successful, the defensive backs need to win their one-on-one matchups. Alabama has too many weapons across the field to rely on help.

Additionally, the defensive coordinator was complimentary of the group’s freshmen, Rico Scott and Lotzeir Brooks, as well.

“Coach Jamarcus Shepherd, their receivers coach, he has a great history of having a bunch of guys playing receiver,” White said.

Whether the South Carolina defense will step up to the challenge on Saturday afternoon remains unseen. For now, the Gamecocks look to get their season back on track and re-spark the magic from 2022’s Tennessee game.

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