Florida State couldn’t repeat their 2025 upset magic against Alabama, falling 50-36 to the No. 10 Crimson Tide. That’s the Seminoles’ second straight loss to a ranked opponent after dropping Week 1 to SMU, and man, does it sting. Their defense just wasn’t good enough to give the offense a real shot in the second half, and it’s got FSU fans , and maybe their coach , sweating.
Alabama’s Offense Was Relentless
Let’s be real, Alabama QB Keelon Russell was the best player on the field, absolutely dissecting Florida State’s defense. The Tide’s ground game was just as brutal, racking up 234 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries. That’s over seven yards per carry! Remember how SMU averaged five yards per rush against the Seminoles in Week 1? This D has got some real issues. FSU tried to fight back, with Ashton Daniels cutting the lead to 43-36 with 7:27 left in the game. You’re thinking, “Okay, one stop, and they’ve got life!” Instead, Alabama slammed the door shut with a nine-play, 90-yard drive that ate over five minutes off the clock, capped by Trae’shawn Brown’s 20-yard touchdown run. Just brutal.
Norvell’s Seat Is Scorching Hot
This loss comes at a terrible time for head coach Mike Norvell, especially since Florida State just fired athletic director Michael Alford days ago. FSU fans know the history: they kept Norvell after a 5-7 season in 2025, which was an improvement from a disastrous 2-10 in 2024 after an undefeated regular season! Oof. You just don’t bounce back from that kind of collapse easily, and frankly, nothing has changed three weeks into the 2026 season. After this, few coaches were in a tougher spot than Norvell, and that’s not getting any better. The Seminoles will be 2-2 after hosting FCS opponent Central Arkansas in Week 4, but buckle up, because what comes next is a nightmare. They face three straight ranked teams: No. 25 Virginia, No. 23 Louisville, and No. 5 Miami. There’s a very real chance FSU could be looking at a 2-5 record after that Miami game on October 17th. They’ve shown “flashes of competency,” but those flashes are fading fast, and it’s clear this team isn’t good enough to compete for an ACC title.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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