Alabama Football News

Kalen DeBoer gives his thoughts on Alabama’s rematch with Florida State

by
Noah Scoggins
July 22, 2026

Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Richard Young (9) runs with the ball against Florida State Seminoles defensive back Earl Little Jr. (0) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Alabama and coach Kalen DeBoer kicked off their SEC Media Days on Wednesday morning. Among many topics discussed was the Crimson Tide’s rematch with Florida State early in the season, given that the Tide got stunned by the Seminoles last season.

However, DeBoer was quick to dismiss the rematch in Bryant-Denny, instead focusing on what comes first.

“All of these games are important; nine conference games, each one of them,” DeBoer said. “You can’t worry about the next one until you’ve taken care of your business, the one that’s in front of you. First and foremost for us is East Carolina; you know, we got fall camp. But East Carolina, and then your reference to the Florida State game, that’s certainly one that put us in a tough spot a year ago.”

Last season, the Crimson Tide made the trip to Tallahassee to face an unranked Seminoles team to open the season. Florida State didn’t just put up a fight; they won, as their quarterback took control of the game and was virtually unstoppable.

It was a shocking upset, one that very few people predicted. The Tide managed to finish the season strong, but the early loss did hurt Alabama’s College Football Playoff positioning towards the end of the season, especially after a second loss.

But this time around, the circumstances are different, as the Tide will be hosting the matchup with plenty of fresh faces.

“It’s a home game for us. You know, we’ve got to protect our own home turf there, and that goes for every game, not just that one,” DeBoer said. “But it’s one that just did put us in a tough spot. I thought our guys did a great job responding last year to the adversity that hit them pretty much smack in the face week one, responding by winning 10 of the next 11. And so, you know, there are lessons and things and moments you go through. Um, and I think that moment actually made us stronger as a football program and as a football team for sure for the 2025 season, and something that we need to make sure we take and learn from going into the next couple of months here as we get into 2026.”

Not only will both teams have new talent, but both teams get the advantage of getting two games under their belt before facing off. However, Alabama does have the upper hand this time around, getting to play at home.

The Seminoles will likely start former Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels, whom the Tide has seen and beaten before, while Alabama will be playing with a first-year starter with fairly little experience, but tons of potential.

After the Crimson Tide meets with East Carolina and Kentucky, fans of the Crimson Tide will be able to look forward to the rematch that will take place on Sept. 19 at 2:30 p.m. CT.