5 questions, 5 answers: FSU beats Alabama to start season

Well, that was something.

Florida State firmly sent all memories of 2024 to a deep, dark place in everybody’s brain in its season opener — not just beating Alabama, but firmly dominating the Tide through four quarters after jumping out to a 14-7 lead.

Heading into the matchup as two-touchdown underdogs, FSU utilized explosive plays and consistent defensive pressure to execute a nearly-flawless performance, the lone slip-up coming in the form of a muffed punt.

What’s there to make of the Seminoles’ shocker over the Tide? The Tomahawk Nation staff is here to break it down.

What aspect of FSU’s performance shocked you the most today?

NoleThruandThru: The offensive line, particularly Petitbon and Hansen, were far better than I thought they’d be. Petitbon is easily the best center FSU has had since the heights of the Jimbo Fisher era. I was also very happy to see that FSU didn’t run out of steam late in the game. I was afraid Bama’s depth would be the difference in the fourth quarter but FSU showed up and showed out.

Jon Marchant: Florida State’s defense. They were fast and physical. Honorable mention goes to the offensive line who looked like a cohesive unit.

LastNoleofKrypton: Just the complete physical domination of Alabama. Talent-wise, that roster is top 3 and FSU made both of their LOS look pedestrian despite being undersized!

Jon Loesche: FSU’s defense answered the call time and again, especially after Alabama marched down the field with ease on the opening drive. The fourth down stop following the punt return mishap was the kind of moment that shows just how much this group has grown.

Evenflow58: There’s a lot to choose from. Going from last year to this is a massive change. If I had to pick something I’d go with the defense. I think Bama’s game plan was horrific and I have no clue why they abandoned the run so early but the defense played lights out. They generated quite a few negative plays and rarely broke. Heck, they even made smart PI penalties when needed.

Jacob Smith: Thomas Castellanos is now the savior of Florida State football. I kept saying “Wow” after seeing him scramble.

Tim Scribble: The overall composure of the team, including the coaching staff. Mike Norvell appeared less stressed the entire game (competent coaching staff?). The offensive line was ready to play, the defensive scheme worked. TC looked in comfortable and in control. It was a completely different team from last year.

Frank DNole: The way both the offensive and defensive lines were able to dominate Bama’s O & D lines. It’s not often Bama’s lines get manhandled like they were today.

Perry Kostidakis: I’m in the same boat as LSK — after that opening Alabama drive, I figured it was going to be a battle of wills in the trenches but despite some big plays in the pass game, FSU absoloutely shut down anything Alabama tried to get going. Florida State’s offensive line gave Tommy Castellanos a clear pocket all night, paving the way for massive runs by the quarterback and FSU’s stable of running backs.

How much have your expectations changed based on today’s win?

NoleThruandThru: How can they not change? Injuries are always a concern but FSU just proved they can go head to head with the vast majority of teams in the nation. I predicted 7-5 originally but give me 9-3 now. Dare I say the ACC Championship game is no longer out of reach either?

Jon Marchant: I had 7-5 so I will go a full game up to 8-4, could go to 9-3 after I see how they respond in coming weeks

LastNoleofKrypton: 9-3 has to be your floor now; preseason projection wise this was either the likely or most likely game that you were expected to lose

Jon Loesche: Alabama clearly isn’t the same program without Saban, but you can’t discount a win this dominant. If FSU stays healthy, they just might sneak into Charlotte.

Evenflow58: I’m trying to not let it change my expectations. It’s one game. A great game but it’s still just one game. If they can show over the next few weeks that this isn’t a flash in the pan I might be looking forward to 9 wins instead of 6.

Jacob Smith: I said 16-0 as a joke, but if they can do this against Miami, Clemson, UF, and everyone else, make no mistake when I say this team is back.

Tim Scribble: Not to be a downer, but you wonder how legit Alabama is? Saying that, this team should compete in every game if it stays healthy. If they don’t hit at least ten wins, is that a disappointment?

Frank DNole: They haven’t changed from my original 9-3 just yet. After FSU beats Clemson and Miami, I will revisit my expectations.

Perry Kostidakis: If that’s the team we’re going to see week in and week out, then the ceiling for this team has been raised exponentially in my eyes. The big games — Clemson, Miami and Florida — are still questionable as far as the rest of the slate goes, nine wins is more than within reach.

More impressive: offense or defense?

NoleThruandThru: Defense was a very pleasant surprise overall. The main glaring issue was finishing on tackles, with James Williams, Shy Brown, and Jabril Rawls as the three worst offenders, but the D wasn’t intimidated by Bama. If NFL Draft position was predicated on getting away with holding calls, Kadyn Proctor is your #1 pick.

Jon Marchant: Equal? The offense destroyed Alabama with the power read, they could not stop it all game. The defensive front was more physical than Bama’s offensive line.

LastNoleofKrypton: Defense, what they did today to hold Alabama to 17 points despite no major turnovers was just proof of their physical domination and sound technique. The first drive it looked like they couldn’t set the edge to save their lives; after that Bama couldn’t score again until some missed holding calls gave them some rhythm. Dominated.

Jon Loesche: The offense showed more in one game than it did all last season. Talk your shit, Tommy.

Evenflow58: Again, a tough one because both played so much better than I could have thought but I think I’d have to go with defense. They were on the field a lot late and still found ways to come through.

Jacob Smith: Both were equally impressive. I think a slight edge goes to the defense. Keeping Bama to 17 is unbelievably impressive considering they had Ryan Williams. I anticipated a legacy game from him. Guess not.

Tim Scribble: Offense. Last year was a disaster at just about every position. Tommy made all the right choices, the offensive line was a beast, wide receivers blocked and got open, and the running backs ran hard.

Frank DNole: Defense, I never thought they could basically shut down Bama’s offense except for 3 drives.

Perry Kostidakis: I have to go with the defense as well. The response after the opening drive was one thing, but each time that Alabama seemed to get a little bit of momentum and start pushing deep into FSU territory, the Seminoles were able to make a play and keep the Tide contained. Tony White absolutely deserves his flowers.

Was today the biggest win of Norvell’s career?

NoleThruandThru: I think the ACC Championship without Jordan Travis is still his biggest to date, but this one is right up there with the two LSU victories in the upper tier. Perhaps ambitious SEC teams should stop scheduling FSU as their opener…

Jon Marchant: No, that goes to his ACC Championship, but I bet this one FEELS like the biggest.

LastNoleofKrypton: Yes, this surpasses 2023 LSU and the ACC Championship because of the perception of your program.

Jon Loesche: This one belongs on his Mount Rushmore alongside 2021 Miami, 2022 LSU, and 2023 Clemson.

Evenflow58: Maybe but I still think the first UNC win was bigger because of what it led to. I think we need to see how this builds to give is proper context.

Jacob Smith: I think the 2023 ACC Championship tops this slightly, but I have no problem putting this at #2.

Tim Scribble: Biggest win was the LSU blowout in 2023. But for his personal security, this is the biggest win since the Syracuse game in 2021.

Frank DNole: Yes, absolutely. If I were his agent I would be hitting up Alford for a new contract with a substantial pay increase

Perry Kostidakis: Again, I’m with LSK — based on the perception of the program and the expectations heading into this matchup, this win is something that FSU (fanbase, players and coaching staff) needed desperately.

Free space -- go crazy

NoleThruandThru: A full and rocking Doak Campbell Stadium is a beautiful sight to behold. I said in my (incorrect) score prediction that I hoped Seminole faithful would capture the nation’s attention again, and y’all did it!

Jon Marchant: Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh I can’t believe they dominated Alabama. The Gus Bus is Bama kryptonite and this particular bald defensive coordinator has a really fun modern scheme.

LastNoleofKrypton: No more words needed, thank you goat

Jon Loesche: 5. Arguably the best start to finish performance in a big game since the 2023 opener against LSU. Hats off to everyone in the program for the turnaround.

Tim Scribble: Well, I feel vindicated for saying Tommy C would have made a difference last year but I was definitely wrong on this team being ready this year. For tonight, the coaching changes look like a home run, the portal additions are exactly what was needed, and FSU is the center of college football.

Evenflow58: This is nuts. I started today hoping FSU would lose by less than 14 and they won by 14! I still don’t understand how that’s possible. I might watch this game three times and not understand how that’s possible.

Jacob Smith: I think this was so much more than a football game. This is a program and school that desperately needed this. Florida State fans, students, professors, everyone I believe is still healing from the tragedy back in April. This was so much bigger than football. You could feel it. It felt like a celebration of life. I’m so happy for all the players and staff. They deserve this. Go Noles!

Frank DNole: Too big of a win to not to repost this.

Perry Kostidakis: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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