The Alabama Crimson Tide enter this season ranked No. 8 on the AP Top 25 poll, and Kalen DeBoer begins his second year as head coach. He begins life without Jalen Milroe, but for the first time in a while, one could argue that Alabama retains plenty of other production from the previous year. They open up their season in Week 1 down in Tallahassee, facing the Florida State Seminoles of the ACC. Since going undefeated in the regular season a couple years ago, FSU had just two wins last year. Can they turn it around now? Even facing a tough SEC opponent in Week 1?
Let’s get to it!
Check out the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks. Plus, you’ve still got some time to add more futures to your portfolio so be sure to check out our Power Four Conference Previews below.
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida State Seminoles NCAA Football Insights
Kalen DeBoer leads Alabama in Year 2 as their Head Coach
Despite losing Jalen Milroe, Alabama is still in good hands. Ty Simpson is ready to lead the Crimson Tide, and he’s been in this system for a while, waiting for his chance. He has four returning offensive linemen and a new senior LG in Kam Dewberry who transferred in from Texas A&M.
Simpson still has Jam Miller alongside him in the backfield, Germie Bernard out wide, and of course, sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams who tore up the SEC last season as a true freshman. Alabama is still a force to be reckoned with, and with guys like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier in the conference, they might be getting a little overlooked.
Nevertheless, Kalen DeBoer is ready to lead the Crimson Tide in Year 2.
As for Florida State, last season was rough. They started the year ranked in the top 10 overall, but lost to Georgia Tech in Ireland and the wheels fell off right then and there. One could argue that they left the everything over in Ireland, as they won just two games and looked non-competitive in nearly every other contest.
Tommy Castellanos comes over from Boston College to revamp the Seminoles, but he is coming off an injury. Florida State has just two returning players from last season’s offense, so there’s a brand new look in Tallahassee, and they have a very tough task to open things up. Will the new makeover work out so early in the season?
Tommy Castellanos looks to revamp the Florida State football program
Matchup Information – Alabama vs. Florida State – August 30
- Venue & Location: Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, FL)
- Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
- Kick Off: 3:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ABC
Alabama vs. Florida State Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of August 26, 2025 at 10:38 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code FREE250 for a 50% deposit bonus up to $250 as well as 100 Free Spins at the online casino.
Spread
- Alabama -13.5 (-120)
- Florida State +13.5 (+100)
Moneyline
- Alabama -510
- Florida State +390
Total
- Over 50.5 (-110)
- Under 50.5 (-110)
Alabama is a two touchdown favorite for a reason. They have an incredible defense, a plug and play offensive system, and Ty Simpson is ready to go. The Crimson Tide have had historical success regardless of who plays QB, and this season shouldn’t be any different.
I’ll be backing Alabama to get the job done on the road.
Alabama vs. Florida State NCAA Football Picks and Predictions
Ryan Williams had 48 receptions for 865 yards and 10 total touchdowns as a freshman
Alabama vs. Florida State Prediction: Alabama Wins and Covers, Under 50.5
Best Bet: Alabama -13.5 (-120) BetOnline
Some of you may turn your nose up at the -120 price for this number, but I’m just glad we are still getting within two touchdowns. Let me be clear, I would have some serious pause if this number were -14 or even -14.5, but we’re getting the hook off of a key number, and I expect Alabama to roll their way to victory on the road.
Florida State have some serious issues, and signing Tommy Castellanos doesn’t fix everything. Sure, he went for 2,200 passing yards and 1,100 on ground two seasons ago, and was off to a hot start last year before getting hurt. But he’s not the best pocket passer, he’s less than six feet tall, and that makes it hard to succeed as a D-1 quarterback and beyond.
Yes, he can make plays with his legs, but the Alabama defense is better than any unit he would’ve seen at Boston College. Sure he competed against No. 6 Missouri last year, but BC lost, Castellanos threw two picks and only had 16 total rushing yards. If you’re going to be a sub six foot QB, you better make some plays with your legs, which Castellanos hasn’t done in big games.
Against the Alabama defense, I do not see Florida State putting up very many points with a completely new offensive makeover. It will take more than one week for the Seminoles’ offense to really get going, and I see this leading to an Alabama thumping this Saturday.
Still Didn’t Get Your NCAA Football Fix?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well.
- SEC Football Preview
- Big Ten Football Preview
- Big 12 Football Preview
- ACC Football Preview
- Tulane Win Total Predictions
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER