FLORIDA STATE-ALABAMA SEASON OPENER
Florida State versus Alabama's 2025 season-opening matchup will take place in the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium at 3:30 PM EST on ABC. To be honest, this game could have been a night game if the Seminoles didn't plummet last season to a 2-10 record.
However, the past is the past, and there is no reason to keep dwelling on it like the College Football Playoff snub from 2023 (don't worry, Greg McElroy... Seminole fans still don't like you!).
With that said, this is a gigantic season for the program as they look to get back on track in head football coach Mike Norvell's sixth season at the helm. Some of the fan base feel like this is a "prove-it" year where they want to see if he can be successful without the do-it-all quarterback Jordan Travis.
PRESSURE ON THE CRIMSON TIDE
There is nothing like facing off against an Alabama Crimson Tide team that will be looking for a bounce-back campaign themselves after an adventurous first year under Kalen DeBoer.
One of the most pressing questions of the Crimson Tide's season will be the quarterback position. I am not suggesting that the dual-threat Jalen Milroe was a can't-miss talent, but he was still an NFL draft pick with veteran experience.
The favorite right now to win the starting job is redshirt junior signal-caller Ty Simpson. He has played 16 games in a Crimson Tide uniform, where he has completed 29 of 50 passes for 381 yards and zero touchdowns with zero interceptions in three seasons.
NICK SABAN ON QB TY SIMPSON
Legendary head football coach Nick Saban delivered a quote about Ty Simpson recently at his Nick's Kids golf tournament in Birmingham, Alabama:
"Ty was an outstanding high school player. He's a fine young man. I think his example of development is true development. He matured for two years, and now he's getting an opportunity, and his experiences will help him be successful."
All in all, it gives me confidence that Alabama wants to start Simpson due to his lack of playing time in meaningful moments. However, it does give me pause because the Crimson Tide has pass catchers such as Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard that can get him out of trouble.
THOUGHTS
In my opinion, true freshman Keelon Russell is the most talented of the bunch, and I would hate to see what he looks like later in the season after he gets developed, because I believe that he will be a really good player.
Nonetheless, I am confident that whoever Alabama trots on in the season opener, defensive coordinator Tony White will battle the pressure, and the fans in Doak Campbell Stadium will get behind the Seminoles in what should be a hostile, hot, and sweaty environment.