The time has finally come. After waiting over a year, the Alabama Crimson Tide will finally get to strike revenge on the Florida State Seminoles, and in front of their home crowd nonetheless.

The Alabama players and coaches have made their mentality heading into the game very clear, and this is one that the Crimson Tide want back after an embarrassing showing last season. Can they get the job done? Experts from A to Z Sports’ college football staff make their picks.

Alabama 30, FSU 14

The good news for Alabama is that it looks like starting right guard and arguably the best player on the offensive line, Michael Carroll, will be back for the game after missing the Kentucky game last week. He’s the straw that stirs the drink up front, and while Alabama’s offensive line dented Kentucky’s front 7 in the second half of the game, there were plays where Carroll was missed.

Beyond the offensive line and the skills, though, I truly think that FSU will struggle to score against this rebuilt Alabama front 7. Through two weeks (albeit against lesser competition), Caleb Woodson and Devan Thompkins (among others) have looked very good. If they contain Ashton Daniels, it could be a long night for the Seminoles.

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Alabama 34, Florida State 17

“The current market has Alabama at roughly -19.5 to -20.5, with the total around 48.5–49.5. That’s easy money for Alabama. I know we said the same thing this time last year between these two teams. But I think that was a fluke. Last week, Kentucky gave Alabama a run for their money in the first half. The game was very fun to watch. Then, Bama turned up the heat and took off on the Wildcats. I expect a similar situation here. FSU doesn’t have the workforce to hang around. Once they get down in the game and are forced to throw the ball more, the game will unravel for them. They will run the ball well with Ousmane Kromah, but otherwise they may be screwed.” – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma Sooners

Alabama 38, Florida State 13

“I’m taking Alabama 38, Florida State 13 in this matchup. I expect Keelon Russell to have a breakout-type performance against the Seminoles, using his arm and mobility to consistently stress the Florida State defense. Russell has thrown for 444 yards through two games, and Alabama is averaging 46.5 points per game entering this matchup.”

“On the other side, I think Alabama’s secondary makes life extremely difficult for Ashton Daniels. Florida State has struggled to throw the football consistently early this season, averaging just 163.5 passing yards per game, while Alabama’s defense is allowing only 153 passing yards per game. The Seminoles may have some success on the ground, but I expect Alabama to create enough negative plays and force Daniels into difficult third-down situations.” – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Alabama 34, Florida State 13

“How Florida State defeated Alabama handily last year is one of the great mysteries of college football this decade, in this writer’s humble opinion. Florida State went 4-7 after their season-opening 31-17 win over the Crimson Tide in 2025, while Kalen DeBoer’s team made it to the playoff and won a game.”

“The Tide have had a year to soak in that loss. Everyone’s let them hear about it. And now, with Ashton Daniels under center, Florida State’s passing game looks even worse than last year’s version. The Seminoles can run, with Ousmane Kromah being an impressive, physical runner. But Alabama will key on taking away their ground game and making Daniels beat them. He won’t. This stays close for a while, but Alabama pulls away in the third quarter, as Alabama’s run defense and Keelon Russell’s arm and legs prove to be too much.” – Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Miami Hurricanes

Alabama 37, Florida State 20

“Florida State fans hoping to pull a big upset against Alabama for a second straight year are going to have a tough day on Saturday. Alabama came out flat against FSU a year ago and lost by two scores as a result. That’s not going to be the case this time around, and I think Alabama might roll after looking pretty good against Kentucky despite a slow start.”

“Florida State’s best opportunity is to keep the Alabama run game from getting going, as it has struggled to begin the season. From there, FSU needs to get a turnover or two out of freshman QB Keelon Russell. I think Russell has a bounce-back game after throwing a couple of picks against Kentucky, while the Alabama defense makes life tough on Seminoles QB Ashton Daniels. Kalen DeBoer knows this is a game he can’t lose again.” – Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State Buckeyes

Alabama 45, FSU 14

“I thought Kentucky would put up more of a fight against Alabama, but that fight died off in the second half. I think it will be worse with Florida State.”

“The program already fired their athletic director on Monday, and it’s a matter of time before Mike Norvell reaches the same fate. The program is in a state of disarray, and we’ve already seen it impact the on-field performance. The Crimson Tide are prepared to annihilate the Seminoles, and it won’t be close.” – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida Gators

The Bottom line

It’s a clean sweep for Alabama from the staff here at A to Z Sports, and while that may make some Crimson Tide fans anxious, if Alabama plays with its food against FSU, that will be a much bigger problem. This game truly shouldn’t be close. We’ll see if that’s the case on Saturday.