A stress-free Saturday for Florida State fans also meant an opportunity to watch college football and take a long look at the next opponent, Alabama. The Crimson Tide struggled with turnovers early, trailing 17-13 at Kentucky, before cruising to a 45-17 victory in the SEC opener.
Alabama is now 14-1 in home games since the start of the 2024 season. FSU hasn’t won on the road since a victory over Florida in November 2023.
The Crimson Tide are a 20.5-point favorite on Saturday (3:30 p.m. on ABC).
After watching the game and reviewing national stats, here are some thoughts on Alabama. The Crimson Tide moved up two spots to No. 10 in the coaches’ poll.
- Keelon Russell threw just 15 passes (two for touchdowns) in 2025 as a true freshman. The five-star quarterback made quite the first impression in the opener against East Carolina, completing 18 of 30 passes for 256 yards, but did not have a touchdown or interception. Russell also ran 13 times for 86 yards and a TD.
Russell was rattled early in the Kentucky game, whether as a result of his first road game of the season, intense crowd noise from a fired up crowd or another reason. On the first drive, his pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and returned 2 yards by Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace for a touchdown. Russell gave up another interception and fumbled in the first half but finished 16 of 23 for 188 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Hill.
Alabama showed a lot of shotgun with Russell. He is elusive but also displayed good pocket mobility to evade pressure and throw downfield. Russell has shown enough for FSU’s defense to prepare a game plan. He’s dangerous but isn’t taking care of the ball well. He also presents a different challenge from Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback that FSU faced in 2025.
“He’s athletic. I think (Ty) Simpson was more like a quarterback that can run. A quarterback that was mobile enough to do that kind of stuff. This dude’s explosive,” FSU defensive coordinator Tony White said before the Alabama-Kentucky game. “Maybe not passing acumen yet because he hasn’t really shown it yet. But mobility-wise, he can do that. He can get out and run. And if you don’t honor him, he’s gonna rush for over 100 yards on you like that. I think they’re a little different in that regard.”
- Alabama had 10 chunk plays (15+ passing yards and 10+ rushing yards). Included was a third-and-20 where Russell connected with Marshall Pritchett for 27 yards. Hill had the first three chunk runs (16, 10 and 31). Russell also had a 16-yard run on third-and-1.
- It’s very early, but Alabama’s ground attack is off to a far better start. The Crimson Tide have 382 rushing yards and are 48th in the FBS in rush offense. Alabama had 155 yards on 40 carries (3.9 yards per rush) at Kentucky.
A year ago, they were 125th with just 1,562 rushing yards although they did have 21 rushing touchdowns (tied 63rd).
- In two games, Hill has 27 carries for 151 yards (5.6 yards per carry). He’s only lost two yards on those carries and has three touchdowns. Hill is a big back at 6-foot-1 and 234 pounds.
- Ryan Coleman-Williams has nine catches for 173 yards to lead Alabama. Lotzeir Brooks (seven catches for 77 yards) and Rico Scott (five catches, 65 yards, 1 TD) are among the other targets. Coleman-Williams had five catches for 30 yards (plus a few drops) in the 31-17 loss at FSU last season.
- Alabama’s defense allowed just 209 offensive yards vs. Kentucky (146 passing yards). The Wildcats had the defensive touchdown plus a TD in first quarter and a FG in second quarter. Kentucky on six second-half drives had just 57 yards on 26 plays (punt, fumble, downs, punt, downs, fumble).
- Alabama’s rush defense has been a strength. The Wildcats ran 32 times for 63 yards, an average of just under 2 yards per carry. Alabama is No. 4 in the FBS in rush defense and has not allowed a rushing touchdown yet. FSU has showcased the run, picking up 416 yards in two games and is ranked 39th in rush offense.
- Linebacker Caleb Woodson leads the team with 13 tackles (12 against Kentucky) and he has two of Alabama’s seven sacks. Defensive lineman Devan Thompkins also has two sacks.
- Linebacker Luke Metz had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against Kentucky.
- Another concern: Kentucky was just 1 of 14 on third downs. FSU missed on its first 10 third-down conversions against SMU.
- Conor Talty is 5 of 5 on field-goal attempts with a long of 41 yards. He hit a 41-yarder vs. ECU and at Kentucky. Alex Asparuhov averages 52.6 yards per punt.
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