At the half inside Williams-Brice Stadium, South Carolina trails No. 4 Alabama 14-6, a score that only tells half of the story. The Gamecocks have done well with controlling the tempo, outgaining the Crimson Tide in first downs (11-8) and time of possession (19:24 to 10:36), yet trail after failing to capitalize on several red zone opportunities.
LaNorris Sellers has been steady, completing 11-of-20 passes for 132 yards, but an interception stalled one of South Carolina's most promising early drives. The Gamecocks have leaned on balance, logging 37 rushing yards on 19 attempts, a modest 1.9 yards per carry average that's been more about ball control than explosive plays.
Alabama, meanwhile, has done most of it damage through the air. Quarterback Ty Simpson is 11 for 21 with 170 passing yards and no turnovers, finding ways to stretch the field despite limited help from the run game (just three total rushing yards on 10 carries). The Tide's 8.1 yards per pass efficiency stands in stark contrast to South Carolina's 6.6, and that vertical success has been the difference-maker so far.
Defensively, the Gamecocks' front has held its ground. Alabama's running backs have been bottled up, averaging a meager 0.3 yards per carry, a testament to the Gamecocks' gap discipline and front-seven push. Still, a couple of breakdowns in coverage allowed the Tide to build their two-score advantage.
Both teams have turned over the ball, but South Carolina's miscues have come at the wrong moments. The Gamecocks dominated time of possession and sustained drives but settled for field goals instead of touchdowns. Against a team like Bama, that the thin line between hanging close and taking control.
Heading into the second half, the formula is clear. The Gamecocks need to finish drives. The defense has already proven that it can handle Alabama's ground game, so the offense must cash in when given a short field. If Sellers can protect the ball and the run game finds just a bit more rhythm, South Carolina has a legitimate shot to make this a fourth-quarter fight.
Halftime stats may lean slightly towards Alabama, but the Gamecocks have shown poise, patience, and belief, all traits that make upsets possible in Columbia.