Crimson Tide Looks To Avoid A Trap Game In Columbia

Alabama will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday.

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Prior to the start of the 2025 season the Gamecocks had high hopes, as they were ranked as the No. 13 team in the country. However, their season hasn't gone as predicted; they have struggled and currently hold a 3-4 overall record and a 1-4 record in Southeastern Conference play.

Despite their struggles, the Gamecocks have shown some fight to salvage their season, featuring quarterback LaNoriss Sellers, who has speed and the ability to keep plays alive and escape defenders.

Last season, Sellers challenged the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium until the last 12 seconds of the game, when Domani Jackson intercepted what could have been a game-winning touchdown for the Gamecocks.

On the 2025 season, Sellers has 1,134 passing yards for five touchdowns and only two interceptions. He has kept many plays alive for the Gamecocks and rarely turns the ball over.

On Tuesday, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson weighed in on Sellers' playmaking abilities, stating, "He's a dynamic playmaker. He's big, fast, can throw the ball well, and he avoids sacks very nice."

The Crimson Tide has been defeating each SEC opponent, heading into Saturday's matchup undefeated in SEC play. Although they boast a 4-0 record in SEC play and 6-1 overall record, the Crimson Tide aren't underestimating the Gamecocks' capabilities, emphasizing that records mean nothing and any team can pose a challenge.

"I think our mindset is still the same. We haven't done nothing yet; our mindset is to keep pushing forward, and this is another step in the way of where we're trying to go. We're obviously motivated; that Week 1 loss motivated us the most. I know we're focused and dedicated, and we really want this," 'Lawson said regarding the Crimson Tide boasting a 4-game winning streak against ranked opponents and now playing an unranked opponent.

With Alabama on a winning streak since the loss in Week 1, many believe that the matchup against the Gamecocks is a trap game and a game where the Gamecocks could threaten their winning streak.

Sellers is a mobile quarterback, and Alabama's defense have faced many mobile quarterbacks this season who have challenged them, but the Crimson Tide have ultimately made adjustments against those quarterbacks. They will again need to stop a playmaker and mobile quarterback like Sellers on Saturday.

"We just got to make sure we're in our rush lanes and that we get him on the ground when we get the opportunity to because he can stiff arm defenders and spin out of sacks easy, so we just got to make sure we get him down on the ground," Lawson said.