NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

I realize it’s a little late for my usual takeaways piece, but I wanted to get it right.

After NFL Sunday, I sat back and rewatched Alabama’s 49-18 win over South Carolina again to make sure my analysis was accurate. The Gamecocks are by no means world beaters, but SEC competition is still SEC competition.

Alabama has now scored 45 points or more in the four games it’s played, including two against the SEC.

Bryant-Denny Stadium was rocking on Saturday night, and we walked away with six takeaways from the battle against South Carolina. 

Composed Keelon

One of our keys to the game was that Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell needed to get rid of the early game jitters.

In the first three games of the season, Russell had entered games slow out the gate, looking like a true freshman, and then got himself situated in the second half.

This time against South Carolina, it seemed like Russell allowed the game to come to him. He looked poised and looked like he was in total control of the offense.

In total, he finished the game completing 21 out of 27 passes for 365 yards and four passing touchdowns, including a 75-yard bomb to Lotzeir Brooks. He also ran the ball for 35 yards and topped the game off with a rushing touchdown himself.

The importance that this game held for Russell shouldn’t go overlooked. With five consecutive ranked matchups ahead of him, the competition was only going to get harder for him.

Yhonzae Pierre is a Star

It seemed like the third-year defensive end was all over the field Saturday.

Everywhere South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers looked, Pierre was either pressuring him, or standing in the passing lanes.

One drive in particular came in the first quarter, when the Gamecocks were attempting to drive down the field. They were on 3rd and 4, and Pierre came in like a bat out of hell charging Sellers to disrupt the pass, leading to a punt.

That immediately resulted in a nine play, 70 yard touchdown drive to let the Tide go up 14-0.

Alabama was limited on the edge this game, after the injuries suffered to Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu. However, Pierre was crucial in Alabama’s pressure toward Sellers.

The projected first-round pick ended the game with four tackles, .5 sacks, and a pass breakup. 

The Tide Had Some Help

Often what goes under the radar is how poorly the game started for the Crimson Tide.

South Carolina had started the game with the ball and the first play of its drive resulted in a 56-yard run from running back Matt Fuller.

Here we go again.

It felt like a terrible omen casting across Bryant-Denny Stadium.

However, after that Fuller run, the Gamecocks ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

The very next play resulted in a false start from LT Darius Gray. The next play resulted in a pass breakup from Pierre. And right after that was a hold from Brady Hunt.

Including those previous two penalties, South Carolina committed three penalties worth 25 yards, followed by a missed field goal by Malik Orsan.

Granted, the Tide bailed out the Gamecocks after a quick three-and-out, but a strong defense put them back in the driver’s seat, with Russell’s passing touchdown to Brooks.

The Defense is the Strength

Justifiably, Russell is the storyline of this win.

When your 19-year-old redshirt freshman quarterback is posting 400 total yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, it’s only right that he’s the centerpiece.

But the work of this defense is going to determine whether or not Alabama makes a deep run in the playoffs.

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has his guys fully buying in, and you can tell by the way he celebrates with them after a big play (literally).

Nickel corner Red Morgan is solidifying his role with the Tide after recording a pick-six, but the linebacker duo of Caleb Woodson and Luke Metz have been crucial to how the Tide have done in stuffing the run.

Woodson and Metz combined for 25 total tackles, building on their already successful season as a duo.

Run Game Was Just OK

The run game didn’t need to be spectacular on Saturday, but EJ Crowell came away the star of the backfield.

The true freshman and former Mr. Alabama showcased an impressive ability to break tackles, stay on his feet, and use his speed to create separation.

Daniel Hill amassed the majority of the carries, and after a solid first three weeks, Hill only had posted 15 yards on the ground – which isn’t a statline you want to see from an RB1.

However, if players like Crowell will step up, Hill can afford to have a quiet game here and there.

Starting to See the Impact of 40

Tight end Josh Ford was the first transfer that Alabama brought in over the offseason, and we’re starting to see why.

CBS analyst Dusty Dvoracek emphasized that Ford is the tone setter for this Alabama offense. He’s crucial in run blocking, but he also holds value in throwing off the opposition.

Ford was seen receiving a punch from South Carolina DE Dylan Stewart after an Alabama touchdown, and when asked about it, Ford shook it off with a smile.

“I think he punched me three times. But it was awesome. A good battle.”

We also saw the value Ford holds as a receiver, hauling in an Odell Beckham-style touchdown by catching the ball with three fingers.

South Carolina may not be the premier program in the SEC, but this game showcased just what Alabama is capable of when it plays at its peak.

And having players like Ford can only level the playing field even when playing a superior team.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos