Alabama's QB battle takes a turn Mike Norvell and Florida State can't ignore

Florida State football is heading into a treacherous space with college football media looking inside the program and wondering where the Seminoles will turn next. Florida State has a combined record of 7-17 in the past two seasons, so the morale of the fan base is at an all-time low.

The administration decided to keep head coach Mike Norvell for the 2026 season. This was a frustrating decision for the fan base because the losses continue to mount, like the Stanford one on the road.

However, the program is allowed to get better and return to its winning ways from the 2022 and 2023 seasons under the guidance of Norvell. With that said, individuals have a tendency to focus on recency bias with coaches, and right now, coaches like Curt Cignetti and Mario Cristobal are hot commodities for discussion, while Mike Norvell is at the bottom of the totem pole.

Florida State could face some trouble from the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2026 rematch

Florida State football doesn't have the kindest schedule in 2026, where FanDuel Sportsbook only has the Seminoles at a 6.5 over/under win total for the year. Many fans and even outsiders of the program thought that Florida State had the potential to be College Football Playoff contenders when they defeated Alabama in the season opener by a score of 31-17.

We learned that the result was so far from reality that the Seminoles played their best game of the season and then disappeared into thin air, where they lost seven of their last nine contests.

Florida State will now travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Saturday, September 19th, for a rematch against the Crimson Tide. This is an Alabama squad that will look for revenge against the Seminoles for last year's defeat.

Alabama had its spring game recently, and projected starting quarterback Keelon Russell had an impressive outing.

Veteran Austin Mack could have an opportunity to be named the starter, but it might be difficult to keep the youngster Keelon Russell out of the field. The former five-star prospect from the 2025 cycle might have too much talent to ignore.

During the 2025 season, Russell played two games where he completed 11 of his 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns (according to ESPN Stats and Information).

Florida State's defense got the best of former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson last year in Doak Campbell Stadium, but it could be a different story this time around, with the game being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.