Danny Kanell lit up social media after Alabama’s game with Florida State was hit by a second weather delay in Tuscaloosa, raising questions about whether the pause was really necessary.
The Crimson Tide and Seminoles were already dealing with an initial delay before kickoff, and then the game was stopped again late in the second quarter after more lightning was reported in the area. Even with the weather causing problems around the stadium, some fans in attendance said they didn’t see bad conditions directly overhead. That fed the suspicion that there might have been something else behind the stoppage, especially with Alabama struggling early against Mike Norvell’s team.
Kanell, the CBS Sports analyst and former Florida State quarterback, jumped into the conversation with a pointed post on social media: “Sources tell me the weather was actually pretty nice during the “weather delay” in Tuscaloosa,” Kanell wrote on social media. “Surely they didn’t try to bail out Bama who was on the ropes vs the Noles??? That would never happen right?
Sources tell me the weather was actually pretty nice during the “weather delay” in Tuscaloosa. Surely they didn’t try to bail out Bama who was on the ropes vs the Noles??? That would never happen right?
- Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 20, 2026
Whether he was being serious or not, the post drew a strong reaction online. The backlash got loud enough that even people in the weather field stepped in to remind everyone why college football games can be suspended when lightning is in the area.
In Other News...
Keelon Russell May Have Changed Alabamas Ceiling Faster Than Expected
For a quarterback still finding his footing, Keelon Russell made Alabama look awfully grown up against Florida State. He helped drag the Crimson Tide out of a 21-6 hole, finished 23 of 30 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, added 56 rushing yards and another score, and guided an offense that scored on seven straight possessions in a 50-36 win.
The bigger takeaway for Alabama is not just the comeback itself, but how quickly Russell appears to be raising the programs offensive ceiling. He was careful afterward to describe himself as still developing, which is probably the most intriguing part for the Tide: if this is the early version, the rest of the league has reason to pay attention. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets An Early SEC Reality Check In New AP Poll
The first real stretch of SEC play has already started to reshape the AP top 25, and Alabama fans can see how unforgiving that weekly grind can be. Ole Miss win over LSU gave the Rebels another boost in the league race, while Florida moved into the rankings after a road win at Auburn, a reminder that early conference games can swing the national conversation fast.
Texas A&M also took a hit after falling to Kentucky, a result that only added to the sense that the leagues middle tier is still sorting itself out. For Alabama, the early poll movement serves as a useful checkpoint on what the SEC demands week after week, with contenders, sleepers and disappointments all starting to separate a little more clearly. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Defense Just Raised A Bigger Concern Than This Win
Alabama opened the season with a win over Florida State, and the 50-36 result came with enough offense to keep the spotlight on the Tide all night. After falling behind early, Alabama answered by scoring touchdowns on five straight possessions, a surge that turned the game around and showed just how dangerous the offense can be when it gets rolling. Ivan Taylor also delivered key interceptions that helped swing momentum back the Tides way.
Even so, the bigger takeaway may have been on the other side of the ball. The game was played through weather delays that altered the usual halftime rhythm and stretched the night out, but Alabama still had trouble making Florida State uncomfortable for long stretches. Against a stronger opponent, the kind of scoreline that looked like a comfortable win here could quickly become a different conversation, and that leaves the defense as the early-season issue to watch. [Read more 🡒]