COLLEGE FOOTBALL

The South Carolina Gamecocks took out their Week 1 frustration on an overmatched Charleston Southern squad.

South Carolina set a program record for total yards (775) and rushing yards (473) in a 72-10 rout.

True freshmen quarterback Ryan Hilinski dazzled in his debut, starting the game 12-12, and ending 24-30 for 284 yards, two touchdowns and just one interception.

The level of competition increases greatly Saturday when the Gamecocks play host to 2nd-ranked Alabama at 3:30 pm on CBS. It’s the first meeting between the 2 schools since 2010 when South Carolina upended the then-top-ranked and defending national champions 35-21.

South Carolina is a sizable underdog (oddsmakers have the Gamecocks as a 24-point underdog) and truly have little to lose in terms of perception this Saturday. Here are 3 key factors:

•Play to Win - Coach Will Mus-champ and Offensive Coordinator Bryan McClendon need to throw everything at the Crimson Tide. If they can identify a package that Alabama has not seen on tape, it should give this offense a chance to get a few points on the board early.

• Tackle, Please Tackle! - Yes, the defense was better in Week 2. However, the Gamecocks’ defense HAS to be disciplined and stay in their gaps. A wrong angle on Saturday equals a big play for a Bama offense that is loaded with NFL talent. South Carolina will not be able to withstand getting bashed for 10-plus yards after a catch or on a run.

• Fans, Understand Who You Are: No matter what happens on Saturday, Gamecock fans need to take a deep breath. South Carolina should lose by at least 17 Saturday. Don’t overreact and throw away the season if that happens. Understand this game will show South Carolina exactly how far away they are from being a legitimate force in the SEC.

Justin Hall is co-host of the ‘Fifth Quarter Post-Game Show’ with former South Carolina wide receiver Tim Frisby. It airs on WVOC (560 AM) following each football game.