It’s really not looking good for South Carolina this season. Shane Beamer’s side has not been able to keep up with SEC opponents, and the 7-26 loss against Oklahoma proved it even more. To make matters worse, the Gamecocks’ woes aren’t ending any time soon. In Week 9, they face Alabama at home, a team on a six-game winning streak (4 straight ranked wins). Perhaps the worst indicator of where South Carolina as a team is at this moment is the point spread, despite it being a home game.

South Carolina’s schedule has not been kind to them. They have faced the likes of Vanderbilt, Missouri, LSU, and Oklahoma. 4 tough SEC games, four losses. Their only conference win has come against bottom-of-the-SEC Kentucky, which shows how Shane Beamer’s men have struggled to perform this season. So, it comes as no surprise that they are a 12.5-point betting underdog against No. 4 Alabama, according to most major sportsbooks.

According to the Odds Sharks database, this is South Carolina’s worst point spread in the last three years. Their 3-4 overall and 1-4 SEC record to start this season is a big reason why the bettors do not place trust in them. Their last worst point spread came on September 21, when they were a 10-point underdog at Faurot Field against Missouri. They lost the game 20-29.

South Carolina hasn’t been a 12.5-point or greater underdog at home in three years. The last time came on November 19, 2022, when the Gamecocks hosted then No. 5 Tennessee as 22.5-point underdogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. However, a positive note for the Gamecocks fans is that South Carolina actually thrashed Tennessee, winning the game in a 63-38 fashion. They then went on to beat Clemson the following week, beating AP top teams in back-to-back weeks.

But the past is the past. Shane Beamer has to focus on the present. Alabama is second in the SEC, and it looks like they are not going to stop winning anytime soon. With a 6-1 record, the Crimson Tide is favored by 13.5 points to win the game on Saturday. So, what can Shane Beamer actually do to win against Alabama?

Can Shane Beamer come up with a plan to win against Alabama?

The odds are clearly in favor of Alabama, with good reason as well. Kalen DeBoer’s side demolished Tennessee last Saturday with a 37-20 score. QB Ty Simpson has been at the center of Alabama’s offense. Although Bama’s run game hasn’t been good this season, their passing offense is top-notch with receivers like Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton and Ryan Williams. The defense has also gotten its act together and forced multiple turnovers against the Vols.

On the Gamecocks’ side, everything starts and ends with QB LaNorris Sellers. He is their trump card. But lately, the O-line has failed to protect him. Even firing their head coach didn’t do the team any good because Sellers was again sacked 6 times by the Sooners. Brent Venables’ defense limited South Carolina to just 54 yards on the ground. On the other side, the Gamecocks conceded 172 rushing yards to Oklahoma.

It is about winning on the line of scrimmage. Sometimes, things are as simple as that. If that doesn’t happen against Alabama, it could be an ugly sight for a head coach struggling to keep hold of his seat at the program.