Florida State’s defense may be exactly what Alabama needs to kick its passing game into another gear.
Through two games, the Seminoles have been far too easy to throw on. They’ve given up 702 passing yards, which works out to 351 per game and ranks 132nd nationally. Opposing quarterbacks haven’t just picked up chunks here and there - they’ve repeatedly found ways to attack Florida State down the field.
New Mexico State’s Trey Hedden went for 272 yards and two touchdowns, hitting four passes of at least 20 yards while helping the Aggies convert 10 of 17 third downs. Then SMU’s Kevin Jennings followed that up with a career-best 430 passing yards, along with six explosive plays through the air, including completions of 50, 64, and 79 yards.
That sets up a clear opportunity for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide have already put up 93 points without leaning on Keelon Russell to carry the offense. The sophomore has completed 34 of 53 passes for 444 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt with one passing touchdown and two interceptions. The running game has done enough early to keep the offense balanced, and Russell has shown he can settle in and take what the defense gives him.
Now the bigger question is whether Alabama’s passing game can become a real weapon when the matchup demands it.
That’s the next step Kalen DeBoer wants to see. On Wednesday during his radio show, DeBoer pointed to the idea that his team can keep getting sharper as the game goes on.
"We’re going to dig a little deeper,” DeBoer said on Wednesday during his radio show. “I think our team truly believes, and one of the things we talk about is that as the game goes on, we will continue to get better.
We want to be great going in. As our coaches get more and more information and our players continue to get more film each and every week of our opponent, I think they will be even more comfortable, and you’ll see even faster starts from our guys playing fast, knowing what to expect from their opponent.
I’m looking forward to the next steps we take this week, really challenging our guys to come out, especially in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and make some plays right away. Play confident.
Play fast."
For Alabama, that message lines up neatly with the matchup in front of it. This isn’t just about beating Florida State. It’s about seeing Russell throw with more freedom, watching his receivers make plays, and finding out whether the Tide can punish defensive mistakes when the chance is there.
The tape from New Mexico State and SMU has already shown DeBoer and second-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb where Florida State can be attacked. The only question left is whether Alabama can turn those openings into explosives.
September is for building. October is for proving.
And with SEC play waiting on the other side of this game, Alabama has a chance to sharpen the part of its offense it may need most later: a passing game it can trust.
In Other News...
Alabama Faces One Big Receiver Question Before Florida State
Alabamas buildup to Florida State has plenty of new faces in the mix, but the biggest roster question remains in the receiver room. Noah Rogers is still working back from a lower-body injury and has yet to make his season debut, though he is close to returning, leaving Alabama to sort out how much it can count on him as the opener approaches.
His availability matters because this is the kind of early test that can expose even small depth issues, especially for a team trying to blend new pieces into the offense. Florida State enters with its own turbulence after firing its athletic director, and Mike Norvells standing could be shaped by how his team looks against Alabama, which only adds a little more edge to a game already carrying plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Commit Just Changed The In-State Recruiting Conversation
Trent Seaborns senior season has taken on even more weight around Alabama recruiting circles, and the Thompson quarterback just added another layer to a rsum that was already hard to ignore. The Alabama commit has climbed to No. 1 in AL.coms Best in Bama high school football prospect rankings, a shift that reflects both his production and the growing sense that he is finishing his prep career as one of the states defining players.
Seaborn also owns the all-time passing yards record in Alabama high school history and remains a leading Mr. Football candidate, which puts him at the center of the in-state conversation as the fall rolls on. The updated rankings brought movement elsewhere, too, with new additions and other prospect tweaks across the list, but Seaborns rise stands out most for Alabama fans watching the future of the quarterback room and the recruiting battle lines across the state. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets A Needed O-Line Boost Before Florida State
Alabama is set to get a timely reinforcement up front as right guard Michael Carroll, a freshman All-America pick, is expected to be available for the matchup with Florida State after sitting out the previous game because of an injury. Carroll has been back in practice and should give the Crimson Tide a needed boost on an offensive line that will be asked to set the tone early and help steady the offense in a tough opening test.
The timing matters because Florida State brings a running game that will challenge Alabama on the other side of the ball, putting even more emphasis on field position, possession and overall control of the line of scrimmage. With a major opponent on deck, Alabama's ability to protect its quarterback and stay balanced on offense could shape the game, and Carroll's return at right guard gives the Tide a better chance to handle the physical demands ahead. [Read more 🡒]