2026 FSU Schedule Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide

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Last August, Florida State and Alabama appeared to be two programs in different directions. FSU’s upset win over the Crimson Tide vaulted the Noles into the AP’s top 20 and made it seem like 2024 was just a blip. Back in Tuscaloosa, fans were already calling for Kalen DeBoer’s job just a season and a game into his tenure.

Oh, how much things have changed.

Alabama righted the ship, advancing to the SEC Championship and winning a road playoff game in the CFP’s opening round. Even though this is clearly not the ‘same old ‘Bama under Nick Saban, DeBoer earned a contract extension this offseason and has the Tide perennially in the mix.

As everyone knows, the win over Alabama became the high-water mark for Norvell in 2025. The wheels quickly came off the car as the year went on, and now the FSU program is stuck in purgatory. Once again, the head coach has a chance for a signature win as the Seminoles finish off the home-and-home series with a road game against UA in September. But the chances of lightning striking twice feel almost non-existent.

Florida State vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

• Date: Saturday, Sep. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Previous matchup: 31-17, Florida State (2025)
• All-time series: 2-3-1

Alabama Crimson Tide: 2026 Team Preview

2025 record: 11-4 (7-1)

Two things to know:

• One benefit for Florida State heading into this game is that Alabama is working through an extensive quarterback competition. With Ty Simpson moving on, DeBoer will most likely choose between redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. Both were with the program last season and are incredibly talented with prototypical quarterback bodies, but are just as inexperienced. Mack appeared in four games a season ago, and Russell played in two contests; neither of those appearances was in a game within competitive reach. A week before the FSU game, Alabama heads to Kentucky for a road matchup against the Wildcats, giving the new starter some vital big-game experience. But if the Seminoles go up early, the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd could quickly turn against their new signal-caller.
• Along with a new man under center, Alabama underwent significant changes along its offensive line during the 2026 offseason. The Tide lost three of its starting OL from a season ago, including Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford, and parted ways with their offensive line coach. In response, DeBoer brought in former New England Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and signed five p4 OL out of the transfer portal. Tony Whites’s confusing defensive scheme may be able to puncture holes along the new-look front.

Three key players

• Jr. WR Ryan Coleman-Williams: By his standards, Coleman-Williams’ 2025 was underwhelming. He did little in the game against Florida State and had fewer receiving yards and touchdowns than he did in his freshman season. But the talent is immense, and heading into his draft-eligible season, the junior hopes to take off as the focal point of the offense. Gone are Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton, as DeBoer believes Coleman-Williams is capable of carrying the Alabama passing attack on his own.
• R-Jr. LB Yhonzae Pierre: Entering his fourth season with the program, Pierre should be one of the top pass rushers in the country. As a sophomore, the Alabama native led his team with 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, while earning Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week with three sacks against Tennessee. Pierre continues to grow into his frame, now listed at 253 pounds, and should be an every-down player for UA in 2026.
• Fr. EJ Crowell: With Jam Miller moving on to the NFL, the Tide will be breaking in a new starter at the running back position in 2026. While it may be a few weeks early for Crowell to be the main bellcow in just his freshman season, Alabama did not take a proven RB out of the portal in hopes that Crowell is the next can’t-miss tailback to come out of Tuscaloosa. The true freshman holds the record for most rushing yards in a single season in Alabama high school football and was a consensus five-star prospect on all major recruiting sites.

Florida State vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Game preview, predictions

• Best Case

Considering Florida State won last season, why not do it again? The Alabama crowd will be antsy, with last year’s defeat etched in its mind, and, as mentioned, could they turn against whoever is starting at quarterback if FSU’s defense forces a couple of early mistakes? That will have to be the recipe for the Noles to win on the road. If, and it is a big if, the defense creates multiple turnovers and Ashton Daniels hits some explosive plays to Duce Robinson, the Seminoles could get up early, hold on tight at the end, and shock the Crimson Tide for the second year in a row.

• Realistic Case

A season ago, FSU came into this game as two-touchdown underdogs. Today, ESPN Bet lists the Seminoles as 15.5-point underdogs, roughly the same thing. That will most likely be how this game plays out. While Alabama is not sharp, its depth and talent are no match for an FSU team that lacks in both of those categories. The Crimson Tide wins an unmemorable 27-10 game, and everyone moves on with their day.

• Worst Case

Florida State gets smoked by Alabama on ABC, and is now 1-2 with Norvell’s seat on fire before the clock even turns to October. While most fans knew a loss was coming, the Crimson Tide embarrass FSU on national TV to avenge last season’s defeat, handing the Seminoles their second straight L after losing to SMU at home two weeks prior. There is almost nothing for the Noles to hang their hat on, and along with Norvell, the calls for a quarterback change grow louder.

2026 FSU football schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 29: New Mexico State Aggies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 7:00 p.m. (The CW)
• Monday, Sep. 7: SMU Mustangs (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
• BYE
• Saturday, Sep. 19: Alabama Crimson Tide (Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.) | 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
• Saturday, Sep. 26: Central Arkansas Bears (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Virginia Cavaliers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
• Friday, Oct. 9: Louisville Cardinals (Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky.) | 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
• Saturday, Oct. 17: Miami Hurricanes (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
• BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 31: Clemson Tigers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
• Saturday, Nov. 7: Boston College Eagles (Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.)
• Friday, Nov. 13: Pitt Panthers (Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.) | 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
• Saturday, Nov. 21: NC State Wolfpack (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
• Friday, Nov. 27: Florida Gators (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

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