RAPID REACTION: Alabama Dominates South Carolina

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Alabama Crimson Tide started fast against the South Carolina Gamecocks, scoring 35 points in the first half, with quarterback Keelon Russell exploding with four total touchdowns in the first half. The Crimson Tide was able to turn to its backup quarterback, Austin Mack, for the second consecutive SEC contest after Mack finished out the win over Kentucky in Lexington by handing off to Kevin Riley. Mack again got to hand off and finish out Saturday's game against the Gamecocks.

Get our free mobile app

With Saturday night in the rearview mirror, here are three quick reactions from Saturday night's victory.

We Asked Last Week if Keelon Russell Figured it Out...He Did

Last week, Keelon Russell completed 11-of-12 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns in the final 9:33 of the second quarter. Outside of that, Russell also had a 57-yard rushing touchdown. We asked after the game if the Tide's signal caller had figured it out and settled into becoming the Tide's starting quarterback. Tonight, we got the answer to that, and it was a resounding "yes."

Russell was highly efficient, throwing more touchdowns (4) than he had incompletions in the first half (2). He made multiple incredible deep throws and, overall, looked completely in control of Alabama's offense no matter what South Carolina threw his way. He finished the night with 365 yards and five total touchdowns, leading Alabama on a "put away" drive midway through the fourth quarter. The Tide's offense needed to grow up after Florida State last weekend, and it appears they did quickly after Saturday's route against South Carolina.

Are You Going to Boo Ryan Grubb Now?

It doesn't matter whether fans booed Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb or the players last week, nor does it matter if Grubb was right to call it out; the boos drew the attention of the Tide's offensive coordinator, and his comments drew the ire of the Alabama faithful this week. If he believed the "boo birds" were directed at him, then Grubb took it personally and showed it in his play designs and play calling in the first half, when the Crimson Tide was clicking on offense. The Crimson Tide was firing on all cylinders, with 318 total yards of offense, 234 passing yards, and, most notably, 35 points compared to South Carolina's 10.

Alabama didn't lead the game rushing in the first half, nor did it control the time of possession, so I guess Alabama fans who just want a reason to complain can look at those departments. Then again, it's hard to complain when the Tide put a belt on the backside of South Carolina, and officially slammed the coffin on the Shane Beamer era in Columbia.

Alabama's Defense Began to Right the Ship After FSU...With the Biggest Test Still on the Horizon

The Tide's defense allowed just 18 points, and if the conversation stopped there, this win would be a rousing success for the Crimson Tide. But it doesn't stop there. Instead, it stops with Alabama giving up 216 rushing yards and an average of 5.4 yards per carry. The defense made its fair share of big-time plays, but with the stout rushing offenses the Tide will face in the coming weeks and months, a little more success stopping the run and running the ball is necessary for people to feel overly confident in this Tide team becoming a contender.

No. 8 Alabama advanced to 4-0 and 2-0 in conference play with Saturday's 49-18 victory over South Carolina. The Crimson Tide will travel to Starkville, Mississippi, for a date with the Mississippi State Bulldogs next Saturday, October 3.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.