SEC Football: 5 biggest games between division opponents in 2019

5. Alabama @ South Carolina (Sept. 14)

This game will be interesting for both teams for a lot of reasons. First, it will be Alabama’s first SEC game of the season. They have Duke at a neutral site to open the season, but this is the first true road game of the year. This should not be a tough game in terms of winning, but it is very important that Alabama sets the standard for themselves in their first opportunity against an SEC team.

Alabama will have one of the most powerful offenses in the country this year. Tua will be throwing to Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. With Deebo Samuel gone for the Gamecocks, all four of those receivers might be better than any on South Carolina’s roster.

However, the South Carolina defense will be coming after Tua. The Tide will be replacing two starters from last season at left tackle and center, and they are also swinging Alex Leatherwood from guard to his natural position at tackle. That means that three of the five offensive lineman will be in new spots. There will take time before there is continuity on the offensive line, and that will be crucial for the Tide moving forward.

The last time Alabama played at South Carolina was when the Gamecocks upset the Tide by two touchdowns in 2010. Very few things remain from that season, but Alabama will come in just as hyped as they did in 2010. They let a few things slip through the cracks in 2010 that led to their loss, and I don’t expect Saban to do the same this year.

This is might be a little premature, but this game might have something to say in terms of who gets the top seed of the College Football Playoff. South Carolina is one of only two common opponents that will be shared between the Tide and the Clemson Tigers. When splitting hairs for rankings, common opponents will matter. It will be interesting to see how South Carolina does against both of those teams in the regular season.