Gamecocks prepare for No. 2 Alabama's rugged style of play

COLUMBIA -- In most any discussion of Alabama's 2009 football team, the conversation circles back around to one adjective.

Out of 13 South Carolina players and coaches interviewed since Saturday, nine of them have actually said the word in talking about this week's opponent.

That word? Physical.

Defensive head coach Ellis Johnson was the first, just after the Kentucky win.

"Alabama's so much more physical than anything I've seen," said Johnson, who had started watching film of the Tide on Friday. "They're not as fast, but they're just so much more physical."

You've got to dig through six other definitions on dictionary.com before you finally find the proper one to describe the second-ranked Tide.

"Liking contact" is part of that seventh definition. Yeah, that's about right.

And the thing is, that physicality plays itself out on both sides of the ball. That's coach Nick Saban's way: Play relentless defense and hold onto the ball as long as possible by running it down your throat.

Other teams might try to wow pollsters and win fans with snazzy schemes and polished plays. Alabama is out there to beat you up, like the playground bully who found a weight room.

The defense is ranked No. 2 in the country, allowing 220.5 yards a game. The rushing offense is 11th in the country, averaging 223.5 yards a game.

So, Alabama rushes for more yards each week than it allows other teams to run and throw.

"It ain't going to be no South Carolina State team," USC sophomore cornerback C.C. Whitlock said. "They've got a top-ranked defense and a top-ranked offense."

Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) has rushed for 1,341 yards, compared to 394 for its opponents.

"You've got to get yourself off the field on defense," Johnson said, "and figure out some way to move the ball on their defense."

Here's a frightening thought: Saban doesn't think the Tide has been tough enough on a consistent basis this season.

"I think at times we've played physical, tough and with great competitive character," Saban said, "but I also think at times we've lost our focus a little bit in games and not played and sustained that intensity like you would like. I think that is something we need to continue to work on."

The Alabama offense employs four running backs, led by sophomore Mark Ingram, whose Heisman campaign is beginning to take shape. Ingram has rushed for 659 yards and seven scores in six games.

"You've got to come in focused because it's a run game that's been proven throughout the season to be really good," Gamecocks senior defensive tackle Nate Pepper said. "It's definitely real physical. You watch the film and see just how physical it is."

There's that word again.

And then there's the defense, where Saban has really developed his reputation.

The Tide has given up 75 points in six games (12.5 points a game). Meanwhile, it's scored 74 points in the second quarter alone.

"They don't want you to gain a yard," USC senior receiver Moe Brown said. "We definitely have to get ready to play a physical game. We have to go in there and hit them in the mouth and expect to get hit in the mouth and keep battling."

There's that word, one last time.

All right, the 22nd-ranked Gamecocks (5-1, 2-1) have certainly got the message about how bad (in a good way) Alabama is. So much that perhaps it's beginning to wear on them this week?

"We've got a confident bunch. We're not some high school team rolling in there," South Carolina special teams coach Shane Beamer said. "It's human nature. You get tired of hearing about it."

Beamer then touched on the idea of overall parity in college football.

How's this for parity?

"Those guys train just like we train," Whitlock said. "We're not looking at it like they're some powerhouse, No. 2 in the nation."

There's a fine line in awareness of Alabama's nature and being intimidated by the Tide. Doesn't sound as if the Gamecocks are going in timid.

"We're going to win," senior linebacker Eric Norwood said. "We're not going there just to shake their hands and be happy to be there."

Extra points

Norwood is one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, given to the best defensive lineman in the country. Florida's Carlos Dunlap, from Fort Dorchester, is also in that dozen. ... USC coach Steve Spurrier is concerned that LG Terrence Campbell (stinger) might miss the rest of the season. Jarriel King has worked some this week at LG. ... WR Dion LeCorn has been hampered this week with a sprained ankle, but he should be available.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/weblogs/gamecocks.