Alabama Football: 3 takeaways from comfortable win over South Carolina

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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 19: Chad Kelly #10 of the Mississippi Rebels leaps for a touchdown against Eddie Jackson #4 and Shaun Hamilton #20 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. South Carolina moved the ball on Alabama’s defense

Alabama held South Carolina to 23 total points in the game but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Gamecocks put up 459 total yards of offense.

Rico Dowdle had a great day in the run game with 102 yards on 12 carries. He also had a controversial play late in the second quarter that could have been a touchdown. The play was ultimately never reviewed and the Gamecocks were held out of the end zone to end the half.

The Alabama secondary did well to keep players in front of them and not allow a big play. However, they did allow the dip and dump passing plays that ultimately allowed the Gamecocks to hang in the game early on. There were also a few notable plays where the middle of the field opened up for the South Carolina wide receivers as well.

Alabama will need their linebackers to continue to grow. No other team could trot out three freshmen the likes of this group. However, they are still freshmen who will undoubtedly make a mistake here or there. Tightening up the middle of the field against the run and the pass will be crucial when the competition stiffens late in the year.

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