Alabama

2025 FSU Schedule Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide

Published

7 months ago

June 12, 2025

2025 FSU Schedule Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide

With the countdown to the 2025 Florida State season in full swing, we’re previewing the Seminoles’ schedule game-by-game. First up, the Seminoles’ season opener vs. Alabama.

It was seven years ago that Florida State and the Alabama Crimson Tide met in Atlanta — the former looking to prolong its dominant run, the latter looking to get back to one.

Spoiler alert: the first happened, the second did not.

The 2017 matchup is seen by many as the one that got away, with a no-call on pass interference preventing a touchdown and lead change for Florida State with 10 seconds left before halftime. On the next play, Ricky Aguayo’s potential game-tying field goal was blocked and the Seminoles wouldn’t come close to scoring again. Alabama blocked a punt, recovered an FSU fumble on the ensuing kickoff and essentially called game at the end of the third. And then, with the game out of reach, quarterback Deondre Francois was lost for the season after rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee.

While it would be disingenuous to suggest that the outcome of the game (a 24-7 Florida State loss) is what led to the downfall of one of the more successful programs of the early 2010s, it is fair to say that it was the beginning — the first in a series of major setbacks that would compound to create the hole the Seminoles have been able to escape for just two 10-plus win seasons since (2022 and 2023).

Enter 2025, where both programs are looking for an early-season boost to erase the memories of a down year which for Alabama, meant a historic upset loss to Vanderbilt and an inability to sneak its way into the playoffs at the expense of a more deserving team for the second straight season.

The Seminoles enter into the matchup hoping to change the narrative around the program and, more broadly, the one around Mike Norvell’s tenure. While the singular result of the game, like 2017, won’t necessarily impact the full trajectory of either, it might very well be an indicator of just where things might end up.

Florida State vs. Alabama

Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Previous matchup: 24-7, Alabama (Atlanta)

All-time series: 3-1-1, Alabama leads

Alabama: 2025 Team Preview

2024 record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC), lost to Michigan in Reliaquest Bowl

Two things to know:

After the offense sputtered in several games last season, Alabama brought in Ryan Grubb as its new offensive coordinator. Grubb has worked under Kalen DeBoer in some capacity for 12 of the last 16 years — most recently, as his offensive coordinator with the Washington Huskies.
Alabama is in its second year of running a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, a switch from the 3-4 days under Nick Saban, which aims to cut down spread offenses, eliminate overthinking and emphasize aggressiveness. A great breakdown via the Roll Tide Bama message boards:

The 4-2-5 Swarm defense Kane Wommack runs is an evolution from the 4-2-5 version that his dad Dave Wommack ran (and helped design) during his long coaching career (he retired after the 2016 season as the Ole Miss defensive coordinator under Hugh Freeze). If you want to get real technical, you could call it a 3-3-5 defense, but it’s pointless getting lost in the numbers of it either way. A basic note on this defense which will aid in understanding other parts of it, is the defensive alignment isn’t based on formation (where the TE lines up, for example), it’s based on the field and the boundary (sideline). One advantage of that is, if a player goes into motion and flips the “strong” side, the defense doesn’t have to make as many adjustments, since the strong side isn’t determined by alignment (though there will be some occasions when this defense will revert to the more traditional way and base it off the offensive formation such as the TE or WR alignment).
By design, this defense is less about containment and more about trying to create havoc in the offensive backfield. Sacks are great, but Saban used to preach, affecting the QB is just as important… This defense sets out to affect things behind the LOS, which often leads to positive things by other means.
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It will have issues and occasional breakdowns. The aggressive nature alone will lend itself to the propensity to give up big plays at times. Teams with good QB play will get hot some games and move the chains at a frustrating pace.

Three key players

Quarterback Ty Simpson: The presumed front-runner for the starting quarterback spot, Simpson is a former five-star recruit who has patiently waited for his turn under center — making him a unicorn in the modern age of college football. He’s thrown just 39 passes over three seasons with Alabama, arguably his most notable appearance coming as he relieved a struggling Tyler Buchner (starting in place of the benched Jalen Milroe) vs. USF in 2023, securing the win with a late touchdown run to make it 17-3.

Wide receiver Ryan Williams: Perpetrator of one of the more athletic plays seen in recent memory, Williams established himself as an offensive threat early for Alabama — despite being just 17 years old, as you might remember hearing often last season. His true freshman season saw him put together a 865-yard, 48-catch and eight-touchdown campaign, worthy enough to earn first-team All-SEC honors and establish him as one of the country’s most hyped receivers entering 2025.

EDGE LT Overton: A projected round two selection, Overton opted to return to Alabama for his senior season. In 2024, he racked up 42 tackles, two sacks, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. A versatile athlete, he lines up in the Bandit (hybrid lineman/edge rusher) role.

Florida State vs. Alabama: Game preview, predictions

Best Case

Narratives (outside of those levied by the most optimistic of FSU fans and most spiteful of Alabama haters) are shattered as Florida State pulls off just its second-ever win vs. Alabama. Tommy Castellanos, comfortable in the offensive attack that welcomed him into the collegiate ranks, shines in his debut as new-look schemes on each side of the ball work their magic. The reason Ty Simpson failed to make a single start in three seasons with the Crimson Tide becomes obvious as multiple interceptions force DeBoer to turn to true freshman Keelon Russell.

Realistic Case

Florida State comes out swinging, utilizing enough scouting and well-timed trickery to make things interesting early and keep them that way well into the third quarter. In the end, though, the game plays out similarly to FSU’s 2022 opener vs. Notre Dame where the Seminoles lack the final oomph to pull off the upset. The moral victory satiates the desire for competent football and, unlike 2022, Florida State carries that momentum into the following week’s matchup vs. an FCS program.

Worst Case

Pain upon pain upon pain. The 2024 season isn’t in the rearview, it is still alive and well, and the first example of it is a blowout at the hands of the Crimson Tide in the first game inside a newly-renovated Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles get a paltry, pity field goal towards the end of the game to prevent a blowout and the tone of the season gets set in a terrible way.

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Most likely outcome vs. Alabama?

2025 FSU football schedule

Saturday, Aug. 30: Alabama Crimson Tide (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

Saturday, Sep. 6: East Texas A&M Lions (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Time: 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ACC Network

Saturday, Sep. 13: BYE

Saturday, Sep. 20: Kent State Golden Flashes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Friday, Sep. 26: Virginia Cavaliers (Scott Stadium, Charlottesville)

Time: 7 p.m.
Channel: ESPN

Saturday, Oct. 4: Miami Hurricanes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Saturday, Oct. 11: Pitt Panthers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Saturday, Oct. 18: Stanford Cardinal (Stanford Stadium, Stanford)

Time: 10:30 p.m.
Channel: ESPN

Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE

Saturday, Nov. 1: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Saturday, Nov. 8: Clemson Tigers (Memorial Stadium, Clemson)

Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia Tech Hokies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)

Friday, Nov. 21: NC State Wolfpack (Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh)

Time: 8 p.m.
Channel: ESPN

Saturday, Nov. 29: Florida Gators (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville)

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Alabama

A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line

The first phase of good news for the Alabama Crimson Tide is happening. While indications are the two best Alabama offensive linemen will move to the NFL, there are eight other (and counting) offensive linemen who not return for the 2026 season. Three are out of eligibility: Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry, and Geno Van DeMark. Five more are portal entries: Micah DeBose, Joe Ionata, Olaus Alinen, Roq Montgomery, and Wilkin Formby.

Why is the attrition good news? There are two reasons. Kalen DeBoer’s offensive lines have needed skill sets in short supply the last two seasons. His offense needs agile, quick-footed offensive linemen. Not many Alabama football fans will disagree, but for those who do, when two late-season games (Georgia and Indiana) are lost by a combined 56 points, a major overhaul is required.

For an offensive line overhaul, the Crimson Tide needed to free up roster slots, to improve talent, and reallocate money. The count of returning offensive linemen (as of late afternoon on Jan. 4) is six: Mike Carroll, Casey Poe, Jackson Lloyd, Mal Waldrep, Red Sanders, and Arkel Anugwon. In addition, the 2026 class added five more: Tyrell Miller (JUCO), Jared Doughty, Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell, and Bryson Cooley

Next for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama could get lucky and have Parker Brailsford decide to play another season of college ball. Assuming that luck will not occur, three or four offensive linemen need to be added through the Portal. At least two of them need to be tabbed as near-locks to start in next fall’s season opener.

So far, the only target known publicly is Texas State center, Brock Riker. New targets are expected to surface soon, some of whom may not be in the portal yet. According to Yahoo Sports, Riker has been targeted by at least nine Power Four programs, with more offers expected soon.

The large number of transfer exits may be an indication that offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic will also move on. Many Alabama football fans are looking forward to DeBoer bringing in a new OL coach.

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Alabama

Alabama outside linebacker to reportedly enter NCAA transfer portal

Published

19 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama outside linebacker to reportedly enter NCAA transfer portal

According to a report from ESPN’s Max Olson, Alabama Crimson Tide outside linebacker Noah Carter is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal following two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Carter is the first Alabama outside linebacker to enter the transfer portal so far this cycle.

The outside linebacker originally came to Alabama as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2024 class, and was one of the first big commitments of the Kalen DeBoer era. Then, Carter was rated as the nation’s No. 109 overall prospect, as well as No. 9 edge rusher nationally, out of Centennial High School in Arizona, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

During his two seasons at Alabama, Carter posted a combined 11 tackles and 0.5 TFL across 14 games played. The outside linebacker appeared in 11 games this past season, posting nine tackles and 0.5 TFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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Alabama

The Ty Simpson Conversation Alabama Can’t Ignore

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

The Ty Simpson Conversation Alabama Can’t Ignore

In the aftermath of Alabama’s embarrassing Rose Bowl loss, one of the loudest and most important conversations surrounding the program isn’t just about the offensive line, the play-calling, or the defensive breakdowns. It’s about Ty Simpson, and what comes next for him.

Tom Loy of 247Sports recently added serious fuel to that conversation when he said:

“If Ty Simpson gets a first-round grade, he’s gone to the NFL. If not, keep an eye on Tennessee and Oregon.”

That’s a big deal. And it’s a conversation worth having.

At this point, there are three realistic paths in front of Simpson: return to Alabama, enter the NFL Draft, or transfer. After the Rose Bowl performance and the questions it raised, nothing feels guaranteed anymore.

The idea of Simpson potentially leaving Alabama is shocking, especially the Oregon part. Tennessee makes some sense. They’ve built a reputation for developing quarterbacks, playing fast, and creating offensive systems that highlight strengths. But Oregon? That hits different. Tennessee is home. Well, at least for Ty. After all, he’s from Martin, Tennessee. And he actually almost chose to go to play for the Volunteers before committing to the Crimson Tide.

The Vols have familiarity, comfort, and a system that could give Simpson the keys immediately.

That alone makes the possibility unsettling for Alabama fans.

Still, before anyone panics, it’s important to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Ty Simpson finished the season completing 305 of 473 passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Statistically, that’s a strong season. It shows efficiency, decision-making, and growth, even amidst inconsistency. But the Rose Bowl exposed something numbers don’t always tell, the need for experience, command, and comfort under pressure.

That’s where an interesting comparison comes into play: Jalen Hurts.

Like Simpson, Hurts once faced uncertainty at Alabama.

Like Simpson, he had to make a decision about his future when the situation wasn’t crystal clear.

Hurts chose to leave with the blessing of Nick Saban, transferred to Oklahoma, and had a phenomenal season. That single year of experience, tape, and confidence skyrocketed his draft stock and reshaped his NFL future.

Maybe, just maybe, that same path could exist for Ty Simpson.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Alabama has already lost him.

In fact, one could argue the best thing for Simpson might be another year as a starter, whether that’s in Tuscaloosa or elsewhere.

Quarterbacks don’t just need talent; they need reps, adversity, and film that shows growth. One more season of full command, especially behind a stronger offensive line and a more stable system, could change everything.

As for the NFL, the message from Tom Loy is clear: if Simpson hears “first-round,” he’s gone.

And he should be.

You don’t pass up that opportunity.

But if the grade comes back lower, returning, or transferring, becomes a smart business decision, not an emotional one.

Right now, nothing is decided.

But the fact that Tennessee and Oregon are even being mentioned tells you how real this situation is. The transfer portal has changed the game of college football, and now, and players like Ty Simpson now have leverage, options, and choices.

The Ty Simpson conversation isn’t just about one quarterback.

It’s about where Alabama football is headed, and how quickly things can change.

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