Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer offers early comment on season-opener against Florida State

The Seminoles start off a tough non-conference schedule for the Crimson Tide.

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida State's season-opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide is one of the most highly-anticipated games of the early college football slate. The Seminoles are coming off a 2-10 campaign and desperate for a quick turnaround under head coach Mike Norvell, who is entering the second year of a massive contract extension that he received in large part because of Alabama's prospective interest.

The Crimson Tide ultimately tabbed Washington's Kalen DeBoer as Nick Saban's successor. DebBoer went 9-4 in 2024 and will have to replace his starting quarterback in year two after Jalen Milroe declared for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer looks on against the Michigan Wolverines in the third quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

While supporting some of his former players at the Reese's Senior Bowl, DeBoer offered a brief comment on the matchup in Tallahassee and Alabama's non-conference schedule. He believes the Crimson Tide's road game at Florida State and home contest against Wisconsin will prepare the program for SEC play.

“It depends on how many conference games you are playing and we’re at eight right now, and so this next year with Florida State as the opener and then a couple of weeks later with Wisconsin, it’s a good, competitive schedule,” DeBoer according to BamaOnline. “That’s what we want leading into conference play. So that’s the way we want it. We want be challenged and be tested going into SEC action.”

READ MORE: Top quarterback Brady Smigiel, Father reveal why he decommitted from Florida State

This will be the first time that Florida State and Alabama have faced off on the football field since 2017. The Seminoles are going to be breaking in a variety of new faces such as quarterback Thomas Castellanos, wide receiver Squirrel White, center Luke Petiton, defensive end James Williams, and linebacker Stefon Thompson.

Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) rolls out and throws with Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock (94) pressuring him at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Seminoles and Crimson Tide will kick off on Saturday, August 30. It'll be the first contest in a renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.

2025 Florida State Football Schedule:

Week 0: BYE week

Week 1: Saturday, August 30 - vs. Alabma (home-opener)

Week 2: Saturday, September 6 - vs. East Texas A&M

Week 3: BYE week

Week 4: Saturday, September 20 - vs. Kent State

Week 5: Friday, September 26 - at Virginia

Week 6: Saturday, October 4 - vs. Miami

Week 7: Saturday, October 11 - vs. Pitt

Week 8: Saturday, October 18 - at Stanford

Week 9: BYE week

Week 10: Saturday, November 1 - vs. Wake Forest

Week 11: Saturday, November 8 - at Clemson

Week 12: Saturday, November 15 - vs. Virginia Tech (home finale)

Week 13: Friday, November 21 - at North Carolina State

Week 14: Saturday, November 29 - at Florida (regular-season finale)

---

READ MORE: four-star 6-foot-9 offensive tackle Chastan Brown commits to Florida State

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

More Florida State News

• Florida State offers three quarterbacks after losing top #Tribe26 commitment

• Florida State lands standout local running back Amari Clemons

• Four former Florida State stars advance to Super Bowl LIX

• Obscene message in Doak Campbell Stadium proves even snow can't stop FSU-UF rivalry