Every Florida State fan wants a payback against Alabama Football for the 2023 season. When a one-loss Alabama Crimson Tide team gained a CFB Playoff berth over an undefeated Florida State team, Tomahawk Nation was incensed. What followed an explosion of complaining was a claim that the 2024 season would prove how wrong the Playoff Selection Committee had been.
As the entire college football world knows, that motivation did not serve the Seminoles well. FSU's 2-10, 2024 season only proved to invalidate any argument the Noles had been unfairly snubbed.
Recently, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy suggested there could be a revenge factor in play on Aug. 30. "This will be ‘Bama’s first trip to Tallahassee. And knowing what happened two years ago, when Alabama was in the playoff, Florida State was left out, I would imagine there will be some bad blood on the side of the Seminoles when Alabama runs through the tunnel there at Doak Campbell in Tallahassee."
FSU best focus on slowing Alabama Football rather than getting revenge
Revenge will certainly be on the minds of fans. FSU coach Mike Norvell will make a mistake if he allows his team to focus on anything other than playing their best football. Norvell and the Noles can survive a loss to Alabama and potentially produce a turnaround in 2025. What they cannot afford is to play up the payback angle, only to end up losing by two or more touchdowns. With their mostly easy schedule, the Noles could go 8-4, though ESPN's FPI is not so bullish. The ESPN model projects a 6-6 season. If the algorithm is accurate, Alabama could beat FSU in a blowout.
Alabama Football has never played a game in Tallahassee. The two teams have only met five times; three of which were home games for the Crimson Tide. FSU's single win over Alabama came in Nick Saban's first season rebuilding Alabama. In 2007, the score was Florida State 21 - Alabama 14.
Despite the small number of games, Alabama has an interesting history with Florida State. The Crimson Tide entered 1967 as what should have been a reigning three-consecutive National Champion. The lowly Noles and Alabama opened the season in Birmingham. The game ended in a 37-37 tie. Another bizarre came in 1974. Bobby Bowden had yet to join FSU, and facing Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the Noles were a big underdog. Alabama won late, 8-7, made possible by a miraculous catch by Ozzie Newson.
Note: Alabama vs. FSU scores provided by mcubed.net