#8 Alabama vs Florida State NCAAF Pick: Crimson Tide Seek Hot Start (Aug 30)

• Alabama lost the ReliaQuest Bowl to Michigan last year, finishing at 9-4.
• Florida State had a disastrous 2-10 season, falling well short of expectations.
• These teams last met on September 2, 2017, in a game that Alabama won 24-7.

Alabama is looking to bounce back after missing the CFP last season. They’ll face a Florida State team that is seeking their own redemption tour after a frustrating season. The Seminoles enter as home underdogs.

Alabama Back on the Rise

Alabama is ranked #8 in this year’s preseason poll, after a major letdown to start the Kalen DeBoer era. This is a make or break season for the Crimson Tide, who are aiming to establish that their dynasty can continue in a post-Saban era. In Week 1, they draw a matchup with an equally win-hungry Florida State team. A top-10 recruiting class should help ease the transition as Alabama looks to make a return to the CFP in 2025.

Florida State Needs Hot Start

Florida State let the frustration of missing the CFP in 2023 get to them in 2024, finishing the year 2-10, despite opening the season in the top-10. It was a disaster of a season for the Seminoles, who made the odd choice to retain head coach Mike Norvell. Now, they’ll aim to put the struggles of last season in the rearview with a key opportunity in Week 1 against Alabama. Even so, it’ll be an uphill climb for Florida State.

Alabama vs Florida State NCAAF Pick

Both Alabama and Florida State were expected to make the CFP last season but came up well short. The Crimson Tide are considered likely to be in the mix again, while the Seminoles are back to rebuilding. A slow start by Alabama could open the door, but ultimately they should prove too much for Florida State.