Joel Klatt Calls for a Blowout in SEC–ACC Game on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 5:59 AM ET

Week 1 of the college football season features four SEC vs. ACC showdowns.

The action kicks off at noon ET Saturday in Atlanta, where the Syracuse Orange face the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers. At 3:30 p.m. ET, the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide travel to take on the Florida State Seminoles.

Later that evening, a top-10 clash between the No. 9 LSU Tigers and No. 4 Clemson Tigers is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Clemson. Finally, Sunday brings an intriguing matchup in Atlanta, as the Virginia Tech Hokies meet the son of their former coach, Shane Beamer, and the South Carolina Gamecocks at 3 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt discussed the Alabama–Florida State matchup on his podcast, "The Joel Klatt Show." The 43-year-old offered a prediction — and he doesn’t believe the game will be close.

“Here's the score I come out with,” Klatt said. “I think Alabama wins this game 34-17, which means they cover. I think Alabama covers the 13.5. I think the Tide are an excellent program, and I expect them to develop on offense to a point where this is going to be a playoff team. I really do. I really do. And I think they cover the 13.5, and No. 8 Alabama gets a big win early for [head coach] Kalen DeBoer in this season over Florida State on the road."

Year 2 Under Kalen DeBoer

The Crimson Tide are gearing up for Year 2 under coach Kalen DeBoer and aiming to improve on a season in which they suffered their most losses (four) since 2007, Nick Saban’s first year at the helm.

They’ll have a new quarterback under center in Ty Simpson, who beat out Washington Huskies transfer Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell for the starting job.

Alabama also returns plenty of experience at other positions on both sides of the ball. In total, the Tide bring back 14 starters from last season — the fifth-most among Power 4 programs. Key returners include running back Jam Miller, wide receiver Ryan Williams, left tackle Kadyn Proctor, linebacker Deontae Lawson, defensive lineman Tim Keenan III and cornerback Domani Jackson. Miller is expected to miss at least the first three games of the season with a dislocated collarbone.

Program Overhaul for Florida State

Florida State finished last season with just two wins, its lowest since 1974. Head coach Mike Norvell decided to make major changes this offseason, parting ways with not only both offensive coordinator Alex Atkins and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller but also bringing in 23 transfers.

With all the changes, there’s new life for Seminoles fans — but will it translate to the field? In the transfer portal era, returning production turning into success has been a common theme in college football, and these two teams sit on opposite ends of that spectrum.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: