Florida State is just days away from one of the biggest games on the schedule, and the clash will be against a top SEC program. The Seminoles opened the 2025 season with a massive 31-17 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, and now must travel to Tuscaloosa for the second part of the series.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos was a key part of the win in 2025, with 230 total yards and a rushing touchdown that helped ignite the scoring. Florida State will not have Castellanos to rely upon this season, but the staff does have Ashton Daniels, who has experience playing against the Crimson Tide.
Daniels has struggled in 2026 after transferring to Tallahassee and winning the starting job. The quarterback has 327 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception through two games this season. Coach Mike Norvell was critical of Daniels following the loss to SMU, but Norvell appears to have changed course with his latest comments that pointed out the improvements he has made during practice since the loss.
Norvell said Ashton Daniels has responded really well and has done everything the coaching staff has asked of him in practice.
— Liam Rooney (@__liamrooney) September 16, 2026
Norvell states that Ashton Daniels has done a really good job in what they have challenged him to do in the lead-up to Alabama
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) September 16, 2026
"I think he's responded very well."https://t.co/ClMIuIVQL6 pic.twitter.com/eyf8dI2Zpm
Mike Norvell supports Ashton Daniels after a productive week of practice with a familiar opponent in Alabama looming
While Florida State fans may still not be pleased with the performance of Daniels, Norvell is standing by his starting quarterback against Alabama. Norvell added that the offensive line and running backs have been working to support Daniels more leading up to the game, but in the end, the quarterback needs to have a great performance to force a potential upset.
Two weeks of preparation still do not feel like enough to fairly face the Crimson Tide, even with improvements from Daniels, but the quarterback does happen to have experience playing against the stout defense. Daniels started three games in 2025 for the Auburn Tigers, and his final start came against Alabama in what was a narrow 27-20 loss.
The quarterback found some success with 259 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and 108 rushing yards. Daniels also recorded an interception and a completion rate of 46.2%, which is his lowest completion percentage in a start. Auburn only recorded 44 yards without the help of Daniels against Alabama, and Florida State should be able to provide Daniels with more support, as Ousmane Kromah continues to dominate the ground.
There was not much that could hurt Alabama on the field last season, but quick, mobile quarterbacks were a weapon that the Crimson Tide failed to contain at times. Beau Pribula and LaNorris Sellers were two players who particularly found success against Alabama, but nobody was able to take quite the same bite out of the defense that Daniels did on the ground. The quarterback has already proven this season that his rushing game is still strong, and with the possible adjustments Daniels has made this week, the Crimson Tide could struggle once again.
Norvell was firm in his comments on Daniels and his preparation leading up to the game, which, when combined with the experience of facing Alabama, could give Florida State a chance to at least keep the damage at a minimum.
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