Florida State is expected to be improved when the Noles take on Alabama Football Saturday afternoon. It is nearly impossible to imagine that a historically good program like FSU would not improve on last season's 2-10 record.
How much better is the question, and not even FSU fans know the answer. Not even FSY fans expect an upset against the Crimson Tide. They are prepared for a loss and hoping for no Alabama blowout.
Writing for Chop Chat, Kelvin Hunt explained what is different for FSU from last season. Hunt's first reason perhaps unintentionally casts some shade on Mike Norvell. Hunt says the big difference for FSU is the new Coordinators, Gus Malzahn and Tony White, are "proven" and "significant upgrades" from last season.
Hunt's second difference is "accountability and leadership." He describes FSU last season as "coaches were not held accountable. Players were not held accountable, and it wasn’t a player-led team."
Difference three for FSU is that transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos is a fit for Malzahn's offense. The fourth difference is that the 2025 transfer additions have resumes of "production and experience." An example cited is six transfer offensive linemen, with four having Power Four starting experience.
Hunt's last two differences have no impact on the season-opener. One is pressure to win, and the other is a less difficult schedule than last season.
In a different assessment of the Seminoles, Hunt addresses remaining concerns. He accurately points out that Thomas Castellanos is known for questionable decision-making: "he’d try to do too much and keep a play alive and lose a ton of yards, or other times he’d keep plays alive and force a pass that resulted in a turnover."
Alabama Football Rushing Attack could crush FSU
Hunt admits that the FSU defensive front is a concern. Tony White will face a challenge slowing an Alabama Football rushing attack, unless his defensive line and linebacker units are much improved from last season.
Hunt is also concerned about whether FSU can respond to adversity against the Crimson Tide. Will the Noles have enough fight in them to contend with Alabama gaining an early double-digit lead? Will frustration occur if one side of the ball is clearly unable to compete with Alabama? For FSU fans and Mike Norvell's team, there are more questions than answers.