Alabama's 2025 loss to Florida State should set tone for 2026 rematch

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide know that they have to take the Florida State Seminoles seriously.

In fact, they know perhaps better than most on Florida State's schedule in 2026.

The Seminoles are in a tailspin. Not only has the athletic director just been fired, but the flames are being lit, and spears are being sharpened as head coach Mike Norvell struggles through a stretch that has seen him go 8-18 over the past two seasons.

There was even a box truck recently at Norvell's house, which prompted questions about whether or not he was getting the boot in Tallahassee. 

Norvell hasn't been fired yet, but things aren't looking good for FSU.

That doesn't mean the No. 10-ranked Tide can just sleepwalk to a win against Florida State in Week 3, though.

Another Top 10 team could perhaps get sucked into that trap, but remember, DeBoer's Alabama team went to Florida State last season in Week 1 ranked No. 8 in the country, and the Tide walked away with a disappointing 31-17 loss.

Alabama will not forget what happened last time it overlooked even a beaten-down FSU squad.

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes that the Tide will see things clearly this Saturday, and they'll be prepared.

“You might be thinking to yourself, like, well, couldn’t (Alabama) just have a little bit of a letdown? They win an SEC game … and now Florida State comes to town in a free fall. Couldn’t they kind of sleepwalk? No, they lost to Florida State last year. You don’t think they’re going to be motivated? I think they’re going to be motivated," Klatt said on a recent episode of his podcast (h/t On3).

Alabama predicted to keep rolling against Florida State 

Klatt is predicting a 38-10 victory, and it's worth noting that Alabama is nearly a 20-point favorite, per the ESPN game odds.

The Tide did struggle for a bit against the Kentucky Wildcats in Week 2, but that was a road game, for one, and they found their groove in the second half.

Alabama was actually down, 17-16, in the third quarter, but ended up winning, 45-17. 

The Tide outscored the Wildcats 29-0 to end the game, and Klatt believes they'll keep rolling against FSU and he's not even doubting that belief.

"I think that one’s an easy one for me," Klatt said of his prediction for a 38-10 Alabama win. "I think that again they unlock some things in that run game, so I like Bama.”