No. 10 Alabama gets a chance to keep its early-season roll going Saturday afternoon when Florida State comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide have opened the 2026-27 regular season with wins over East Carolina, 48-10, and Kentucky, 45-17, and now have an opportunity to move to 3-0 at home. Florida State arrives at 1-1 after beating New Mexico State, 34-17, and falling to SMU, 27-24, with both games played in Tallahassee, Fla.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
Bama247 writers Mike Rodak and Brett Greenberg both see Alabama handling business in a convincing way.
Mike Rodak has Alabama 42, Florida State 13. He pointed to the Seminoles’ nine-game road losing streak dating back to 2023, a stretch in which they have been beaten by an average of 18 points. Rodak wrote that unless Alabama gets in its own way with turnovers, penalties and defensive lapses - issues the Tide have shown in flashes this season - the game should not be much of a problem, especially with Mike Norvell’s pressure level possibly rising in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Greenberg went even lower on Florida State, picking Alabama 41, Florida State 9. He noted that last year is behind both teams, citing Kalen DeBoer’s “this is the 2026 team” response when asked whether this was a revenge game, as well as Zabien Brown saying the same thing to the media earlier this week. Greenberg said Alabama has the more talented roster and expects the defense to build on its strong showing from last week against quarterback Ashton Daniels and the rest of the Seminoles’ offense.
He also singled out Florida State running back Ousmane Kromah as a major threat. On the Alabama side, Greenberg said the focus should be on steady progress: keep running the ball, keep Keelon Russell in favorable spots, and continue to improve on offense. His bottom line was simple: Alabama should handle Saturday afternoon in a big way.
In Other News...
Alabama Faces One Big Receiver Question Before Florida State
Alabamas opening stretch has already brought a few roster changes into focus, and the receiver room is one of the more interesting ones as the Crimson Tide prepare for Florida State. Noah Rogers has yet to play this season while working back from a lower-body injury, but he appears to be nearing a return at a time when Alabama is still sorting out how its newer faces fit into the offense.
Florida State comes into the matchup carrying plenty of its own uncertainty after firing its athletic director, and the pressure around Mike Norvell only adds to the stakes of the game. For Alabama, the question is less about the headline outside the program and more about how quickly Rogers can get back on the field and give the Tide another option before a challenging early-season test. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Past Jeremy Pruitt Interest Is Suddenly Back In Focus
Jeremy Pruitts fight with the NCAA has returned to the spotlight in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in his lawsuit this week. The former Tennessee coach is challenging the NCAAs authority to handle the case in Alabama, putting a legal dispute tied to his firing and the punishment that followed back in front of a court with real implications for his coaching future.
Pruitt is seeking $100 million over the penalties he says stemmed from the NCAAs actions, including the six-year show-cause order that has limited his employment opportunities. The justices did not rule from the bench, so the case now moves into another waiting period while the court considers how to handle a dispute that Alabama fans have followed from the start because of where Pruitts career once intersected with their program. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets A Needed O-Line Boost Before Florida State
Alabamas offensive line should get a timely lift heading into the Florida State game, with right guard Michael Carroll expected to be available after sitting out the previous matchup because of an injury. The freshman All-America pick has been back in practice, and his return would give the Tide a more settled look up front at a point in the season when every piece matters.
Carrolls presence also matters because Alabama is preparing for a Florida State team that can challenge defenses on the ground, putting even more pressure on the Tide to be firm at the point of attack. Getting him back gives Alabama a better chance to handle those physical demands and keep its offensive plans on schedule in a matchup where line play could shape the day. [Read more 🡒]