Alabama gets Florida State at home this weekend with plenty of motivation built into the matchup. The Crimson Tide are looking to wipe away the sting of last season’s loss to the Seminoles in Tallahassee, and the setting in Tuscaloosa gives them a chance to do it in front of their own crowd.
The Tide arrive with momentum after a strong second half at Kentucky. Alabama opened that game with some early mistakes and trailed 17-13 at the break, but the offense and defense both took over after halftime. The Crimson Tide shut out the Wildcats 32-0 over the final two quarters and left with a 45-17 win, powered by a defense that controlled the game and a running attack that found its rhythm.
Now Kalen DeBoer is looking for a cleaner, more complete performance. Alabama has shown it can finish strong; the challenge against Florida State is putting together all four quarters.
Florida State comes in needing a big win, and Mike Norvell is under pressure to get one. The source material makes clear how important this game is for him, and Alabama has a chance to make that path even harder.
The betting market has Alabama as a heavy favorite. FanDuel lists the Crimson Tide at -19.5, with the over/under set at 48.5. On the moneyline, Alabama is -1450 and Florida State is +810.
On the injury front, Alabama does not have an official availability report this week since the game is not a conference matchup, but the expected statuses are: DB Jorden Edmonds, LB Cayden Jones, DB Nick Sherman and DL Jeremiah Beaman out; WR Noah Rogers questionable; OL Michael Carroll probable; and RB AK Dear probable.
Florida State’s report includes LB Izayia Williams, LB Daylen Green and LB Blake Nichelson out, with LB Caleb LaVallee questionable.
The broadcast crew remains the same for Alabama fans: Sean McDonough on play-by-play, former Tide quarterback Greg McElroy as analyst, and Katie George reporting from the sideline.
And yes, it’s going to be hot. The forecast calls for a high of 95 degrees with a real feel of 107, along with a chance of spotty thunderstorms that could lead to a delay.
This will be the seventh meeting between Alabama and Florida State. The Crimson Tide lead the series 3-2-1.
In Other News...
Alabamas Real Standing Is Getting A Very Different Early Verdict
Early-season rankings rarely agree on much, and Alabama is already a good example. While the AP Poll has the Crimson Tide at No. 10, several computer models see something closer to a top-tier national contender, with Bill Connellys SP+, Brian Fremeaus FEI, Kenneth Masseys ratings, Jeff Sagarins rankings and ESPNs FPI all slotting Alabama somewhere between No. 3 and No. 10, depending on the formula. Some of those projections even make Alabama the SECs highest-rated team, which is a very different read than the one coming from voters.
The split is especially noticeable because these systems are also still sorting out the rest of the schedule, and the teams on Alabamas slate are bouncing around quite a bit in the same models. That kind of early variability is normal, but it also means the Tides true standing may be a moving target for a while. For now, the computers are signaling that Alabamas profile looks a lot stronger than a No. 10 label suggests, even if the season is still young enough for every ranking to feel provisional. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Just Entered A Tough Fight For A Hometown Commit
Alabamas 2027 class is already taking shape with 14 commitments, but this cycle looks different from some of the bigger, pricier hauls the program has signed in the past. With the staff putting more emphasis on keeping its current roster intact, the Tide have been more selective on the recruiting trail, even as they continue to identify targets they want to push for later on.
One of those targets is Joshua Lane, a 3-star defensive lineman from Memphis who recently picked up an Alabama offer. Lane is already committed to Memphis and has drawn interest from several other Power Four programs, which makes him a tougher local pull than a typical under-the-radar add. Alabama is also expected to ramp up its work in the 2028 cycle, which already carries a strong national standing, but Lanes recruitment is a reminder that even in a smaller class, the Tide are still willing to enter a fight for a player they believe is worth the effort. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Faces The Stretch That Will Define Its Playoff Hype
College footballs playoff picture is already starting to sort itself out, and Notre Dame is right in the middle of the conversation after stacking enough early-season buzz to be viewed as a real factor in the bracket race. The committees eventual choices will still hinge on how the biggest names handle their conference slates, but the Irish have positioned themselves well enough that every remaining week carries meaning, especially with so many national contenders still trying to separate from the pack.
Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas all bring their own cases, and each has a path that could reshape how the top of the field looks once the dust settles. For Notre Dame, the focus now shifts to the stretch that will tell the story of its playoff credibility, because the rsum can look impressive in September and October, but the final judgment usually comes from how a team answers the toughest part of the calendar. [Read more 🡒]