Alabama Hosts South Carolina in SEC Matchup with Injuries on Both Sides
The short version
- Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC) hosts South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC) on Saturday, September 26 in Tuscaloosa, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
- South Carolina will be without WOLF defenders Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu; edge rusher Dylan Stewart is probable after a back issue flared up.
- Former Alabama players Justin Okoronkwo, Kelby Collins and Shawn Murphy now play for the Gamecocks.
- FanDuel lists Alabama as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5.
The 12.5-point favorite Crimson Tide welcome a banged-up Gamecocks squad to Tuscaloosa on Saturday night in a game airing on ESPN.
SEC play continues Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, where No. 3-0 Alabama welcomes South Carolina for a Week 4 conference clash. The Crimson Tide enter at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Gamecocks sit at 2-1 and 0-1 in the SEC. FanDuel has installed Alabama as a 12.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 54.5 points.
Kickoff is set for Saturday evening at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the game televised on ESPN. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will handle the broadcast call, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines. On radio, Chris Stewart, Tyler Watts and Damian Square will describe the action for the Alabama network.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer arrives with a career mark of 35-31, including 16-25 in SEC games, across six seasons leading the program. The source notes that 'Fire Beamer' chants were heard last week, and that the Gamecocks are trying to rebound from a difficult defeat.
The Gamecocks' defense has taken several injury hits. Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu, both WOLF position players, are out after getting hurt in the Florida State game, with Xavier Griffin mentioned as a possible replacement. On offense, running backs Daniel Hill and EJ Crowell are expected to be available.
Two other Gamecocks could see their first action of the season. Running back AK Dear and wide receiver Noah Rogers 'will be available' and may make their 2026 debuts, according to the source.
Star edge rusher Dylan Stewart, who missed the preseason with a back injury and returned against Mississippi State, is listed as probable. He saw only 14 snaps in that game before his back flared up again in the fourth quarter. Defensive tackle Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, hurt early in the same contest after four snaps, has been ruled out.
Several familiar names will be on the visiting sideline. Linebacker Justin Okoronkwo, a former Alabama player, starts at WILL for South Carolina. Defensive tackle Kelby Collins logged 35 snaps against Mississippi State as part of the rotation, and backup middle linebacker Shawn Murphy played 38 snaps.
Weather in Tuscaloosa is expected to be more autumn-like, with a daytime high near 85 degrees before temperatures fall into the 70s after sunset.
Global Sportscast's schedule lists South Carolina at Alabama for Saturday, September 26 at 7:10 PM EDT at Bryant-Denny Stadium, airing on ESPN.
Games to watch
