This story is part of an 11-week breakdown BamaOnLine is doing of every game on Alabama’s 2019 schedule (sorry, Western Carolina). We begin with the last game on the Crimson Tide’s regular-season slate in the Auburn Tigers and count down to the season-opening foe, the Duke Blue Devils.

To cap South Carolina week, here’s a look at the BamaOnLine staff’s way-too-early score predictions for Alabama’s Sept. 14 road game against the Gamecocks, coming out of spring practice.

Charlie Potter: Alabama 41, South Carolina 17

The last time Alabama traveled to Columbia, S.C., the higher-ranked Crimson Tide lost its first of three games of the 2010 season. While this South Carolina team also has a veteran quarterback in Jake Bentley, he doesn’t have the same talent around him as Stephen Garcia did nearly a decade ago. This Gamecocks team -- at least last season -- struggled with taking care of the football and forcing turnovers, which is never ideal when trying to defeat a Nick Saban-coached team. If those struggles continue this year, we won’t see another upset. Although I think South Carolina can keep it close early, the Tide eventually rolls in Week 3.

Travis Reier: Alabama 38, South Carolina 21

Jake Bentley is a better quarterback than was Stephen Garcia, but he doesn’t have Alshon Jeffery, Marcus Lattimore, Melvin Ingram, Devin Taylor and Stephon Gilmore as teammates. “Sandstorm” will get the home crowd going early, but not enough to keep the Crimson Tide from avenging it’s last defeat to an Eastern Division opponent.

Kirk McNair: Alabama 35, South Carolina 10

Leading up to Bama’s trip to Columbia there will be volumes written reminding of Alabama falling into the South Carolina trap in 2010, precipitating a three-loss season – the last time the Crimson Tide has lost more than two games in a season. QB Jake Bentley leads a decent passing game and Rico Dowdle the same in the running attack. The defense has some stars, but lacks depth. Don’t expect Nick Saban to let his team take this game lightly, and don’t take Will Muschamp in the “first former assistant to beat Saban” lottery.

Hank South: Alabama 35, South Carolina 14

Alabama’s first true road contest of the 2019 season goes largely one-sided in favor of the Crimson Tide. Tua Tagovailoa and company take advantage of a relatively inexperienced secondary, and the UA defense forces multiple turnovers on the way to starting the season 3-0.

Tim Watts: Alabama 37, South Carolina 19

The atmosphere at Williams-Brice Stadium will be electric with a home game against Alabama having South Carolina at its best. But Nick Saban is still too much for his former assistant, Will Muschamp, who hasn’t put all the pieces in place yet to beat a top-five team.

Now, what say you?

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