Months before facing Alabama Football it's already 3rd-and-long for FSU Quarterback

FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos had gotten the attention of every Alabama football player and probably almost every Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Boldly, but also stupidly, Castellanos said, "I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me."

Kalen DeBoer and his staff are too focused on the many things that bring success to be bothered by Castellanos' words. But they won't ignore them. Such 'billboard' material is useful in getting Alabama football players primed for the game against Florida State in Tallahassee. It's not that Alabama needed extra motivation, but given FSU's 2-10 record last season, a few Crimson Tide players may be thinking beating the Noles will not take Alabama's best game.

Not just Alabama football fans disagree with comments

Florida State fans, as evidenced in the tweet below, know their new quarterback made a big mistake with the trash talk.

Will FSU coach Mike Norvell endorse what his QB said, or will Norvell more wisely try to walk back the foolish comments? The answer does not much matter. The damage has been done, and the Alabama Crimson Tide team will not forget by the end of August.

At the cost of reportedly $6M over three years, Norvel brought in Gus Malzahn as his Offensive Coordinator. Malzahn and Castellanos have a season of experience together at UCF before Castellanos transferred to Boston College. FSU's new quarterback has all the physical skills needed to excel in running Malzahn's offense.

After Castellanos' verbal challenge to the Crimson Tide, you have to wonder about his decision-making. In the second half of the 2024 season, the Alabama football defense was not great, but it had become quite good. There are many reasons to believe Alabama's defense will be even better in 2025. Now that Castellanos has placed a target on his back, the Crimson Tide 'D' might explode in the season-opener.

According to FanDuel, Alabama Football is a 12.5-point favorite in Doak-Campbell Stadium. The two teams have little history against each other, just five games going back to 1965. Alabama has never played FSU in Tallahassee.