Keelon Russell dominates Gamecocks en route to convincing win over USC, 49-18

Consistency still dogs this team though.

Forget that score for a second: Coming off a series of convincing, but erratic wins over Kentucky and Florida State, Alabama was still unable to put together a complete game. As has become tradition (and as I predicted), South Carolina came out of the tunnel like they were fired from a cannon and had ‘Bama’s defense on their heels early, stringing together three straight solid drives that nevertheless ended with a missed field goal, a turnover, and a lonely field goal. Also as has become tradition, the Tide started with the Ryan Grubb special three-and-out: I’m not sure there’s a worst game-opening scripter in the country.

But, as has also become the Tide MO, the scripted garbage was finally exhausted, the staff had to respond to the looks that Sakerlina was showing, and then went with the flow of the game: that flow began with the big right arm of Keelon Russell. He was simply electric. Nearing the end of the second quarter he had thrown for nearly 200 yards, and had nine completions with more touchdowns thrown (3) than incompletions (2). His development was fully on display most notably late in the second-half, with the Tide looking to add to a 14-0 run, when Russell stepped up into a tight pocket and threw to his fourth receiver, TE Kaleb Edwards nestled into the zone on a little 7-yard hook. There are guys that are collecting Sunday paychecks who don’t make that read. Say what you will about Grubb (and as usual, he gave us some reasons to grouse), he is a great quarterback coach.

‘Bama needed him too. Because, while it was the Tide secondary that was making poopy puddles on the field last week, this week, the front seven decided to take the week off. And it began with literally the first play, a 56-yard Fuller gash right off the B-Gap. It didn’t really improve either. Despite knowing (and as we spelled out in the preview), USCe will RTDB at you on any down, any distance, and no matter the score. For the game, the Gamecocks were averaging over 5 YPC, and hit a nauseating 200 yards on the ground. The DL “effort” was noticeable too, given how well the secondary played.

If this team could ever put it together, it would be terrifying. Imagine how good they would be if they discovered their killer instincts and played a complete game? As it stands, Alabama is still too flaky, too inconsistent to take drives off — or have entire units decide not to get off the bus. The final score may have been 49-18, but it could have been worse if the Tide had not taken the air out of the ball for an entire quarter. And, it could have also been worse another way: if LaNorris Sellers could actually hit the water from a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Such is the duality of the Alabama thing.

Still, those are complaints the coaches will need to address; we’re never going to turn our nose up at a five-score SEC win. And, as we know, good teams win but great teams cover.

Win. Keelon Russell.

You watch Russell play, and you can scarce believe he is a 19-year-old who just made his fourth career start. As I write this, in the waning moments, Russell has a consecutive 300+yard outing with no turnovers (327 yards), and four touchdowns through the air. While his decision-making has been praised, he should also be singled out for growing much more comfortable with downfield throws, and frequently stepped up into the pocket waiting for the secondary to break down, and then let ‘er rip. And, for good measure, he added a rushing TD to make this beating a laugher…and he was even sliding in the open field, rather than taking CTE shots.

FFS, he had 187 yards and three scores…in the second quarter.

Place. Offensive Line Pass Blocking.

Russell had a great game, to be sure. But for much of the night, he had such a clean pocket that he could have made a pot of tea and done his taxes. Oh, Stewart was his usual terrifying self for the Gamecocks, and he did get to Russell for a sack and several hits. But for the most part credit belongs to a reborn, meaner, more physical offensive line that is one of the nation’s best at keeping their guy’s jersey clean.

Look at how much time Russell has to throw, and how perfectly he’s protected.

KLEMM IS HIM.

Show. Luke Metz.

Alabama’s most frenetic defender was a human missile tonight. From the opening snap until he was pulled for the second stringers late in the contest, Alabama’s #ExcitingWhite was all over the field: getting into the backfield, shedding blocks, defending passes, forcing mistakes, scooping up fumbles. About the only thing he didn’t do was score.

As impressive as Metz has been this season, for sixty minutes, this may have been his most impressive outing — a dozen tackles, three pressures, two hits, and a recovered fumble. Outstanding.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Coleman Williams: Hollywood had one of his best games of the season. He was scorching one-on-one coverage. Giving his QB an easy target when coverage broke down. Fighting for extra yards. And above all, he was having fun. He’s a mercurial player, and when he’s just being a kid out there and having fun, he plays infinitely better.

‘Bama’s Tight End Room: We suggested this might be a good night to go after the LBs with ‘Bama’s deep tight ends. And did they ever. Josh Ford was pasting people, goading South Carolina defenders into space, and made one helluva’ touchdown grab almost as an afterthought. Meanwhile, Kaleb Williams was being a smooth operator, improving his route-running and integration into the passing game. Great game by all four of the Tide’s men on the outside.

Up next: Bama travels to No. 24 Mississippi State, in what should be one of the best quarterback duels of the year anywhere: Keelon Russell vs. Kamario Taylor. It’s the first of five straight ranked opponents for the Tide. The training wheels are off: the grind begins.

But for now, enjoy this one.

Roll Tide!