Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos was proper this summer time when he informed the world that Alabama doesn’t have Nick Saban coming to avoid wasting them.
The Seminoles went on to upset Alabama in Week 1, 31-14, as a +13.5 underdog.
Final season was Alabama’s first with out Saban on the sideline since 2007. The Crimson Tide completed because the No. 17 workforce within the nation, lacking the School Soccer Playoff’s new, expanded 12-team format.
Florida State’s upset of Alabama in school soccer’s true opening weekend proved that Crimson Tide soccer is a byproduct of whoever is teaching them.
Early within the Kalen DeBoer period, it appeared like Alabama had one thing in his pairing with Jalen Milroe. They flexed their muscle mass in opposition to dangerous groups however suffered losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma, solely to get smoked by Michigan within the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Regardless of the frustration of final season, the Crimson Tide entered 2025 ranked No. 8 within the nation. After being upset by an unranked Florida State workforce — who had been flat-out terrible final 12 months — school soccer followers can count on a serious dip within the rankings.
Some impatient Alabama followers will hate to listen to that DeBoer has a $70 million buyout, which means he doubtless isn’t getting fired. The Tide’s solely approach by way of this rut is, properly, by way of it.
They’ll doubtless get proper subsequent week in opposition to Louisiana-Monroe. After that, they host unranked Wisconsin. No. 5 Georgia will likely be their hardest take a look at of the season within the final weekend of September.
The expanded School Soccer Playoff signifies that Week 1’s upset doesn’t kill Alabama’s season — however it’s already on life help. They must win one among their tough matchups in opposition to both Georgia or LSU. Saturday’s flop in Florida gave little purpose to be optimistic about these video games.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was utterly outmatched by Castellanos, whose benching at Boston School final season didn’t cease him from speaking a ton of smack main as much as this matchup. Castellanos was a reclamation venture for Mike Norvell. So far? He’s wanting higher than what Florida State received out of DJ Uiagalelei final season.
Saban appears comfortable internet hosting School GameDay, particularly after how unceremonious his exit from Alabama felt. He vocally hated the course school soccer was heading in due to title, picture and likeness turning into a predominant a part of the game. In his remaining seasons, Alabama simply didn’t have the aura they used to. Regardless of that, they nonetheless gained the SEC Championship and misplaced to eventual nationwide champion Michigan within the Rose Bowl.
Alabama’s latest struggles remind you simply how nice of a coach Saban was, and make you marvel if he nonetheless has some magic within the tank.
Colin Cowherd reported he would have curiosity in teaching a younger, blue-chip quarterback within the NFL if the chance offered itself.
Possibly NFL homeowners ought to preserve that at the back of their minds. Particularly if Alabama continues to wrestle, it solely proves how nice Saban actually was.
