The FSU and Alabama 2025 season opener is a massive game for both teams. FSU wants to prove last season was a fluke after only winning two games, and Alabama wants to prove last year was a blimp on the radar after failing to win 10 games for the first time in over a decade.
Who has more pressure? Well, FSU is a large betting underdog at +13.5 at home against a quarterback with 50 career pass attempts making his first start in a hostile environment. Nobody realistically expects FSU to win the game, and some Alabama fans expect the Crimson Tide to blow the Noles out by more than three touchdowns.
Perception is everything in this game. If FSU pulls off the upset, the heat will be hotter than two muskrats in a wool sock for Kalen Deboer as he looks to get out of the Nick Saban shadow. If FSU keeps the game close and loses, say 28-17, the perception will be Alabama isn’t that good, even though FSU will probably be a much better team in 2025 than last year.
It all comes down to expectations, and most media members have FSU going 6-6 or 7-5. I have them at 8-4 at worst. Most folks expect Alabama to contend for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
IF FSU gets blown out, they have to gimme wins afterwards and a winnable game against Virginia that would put them at 3-1 going into the home game with Miami. A win against Miami, and everyone forgets about the Alabama loss. So FSU has ways to counteract even a blowout. If they keep it close into the second half, that gives the fans hope they can be competitive the rest of the season. A loss against FSU, and Alabama’s season might be over before it gets started.