The unranked Florida State Seminoles defeated the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide 31-17 on Saturday, marking a significant Alabama football upset to open the 2025 college football season.
Seminoles End Alabama’s Opening Day Streak
The final Florida State vs Alabama 2025 score of 31-17 snapped the Crimson Tide’s 23-game winning streak in season openers. The loss is considered a major storyline in college football.
Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos was a key performer in the victory. He finished the game with 78 rushing yards, one touchdown, and 152 passing yards.
Fallout from the Alabama Football Upset
Following the game, former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel stated that the Alabama fear factor other programs once had for the Crimson Tide has disappeared.
“In the past, you walk in facing an Alabama team, you probably got a little fear,” Manziel said. “That fear aspect of what Alabama is – completely gone. Ain’t nobody scared of them boys.“
Analysts Proclaim Nick Saban Era Over
Commentator Stephen A. Smith also weighed in, declaring that the dominant dynasty built by legendary coach Nick Saban has concluded.
Saban retired in 2024 after winning six national championships with the program.
“But it just seems to be as if the days of @AlabamaFTBL – Nick Saban’s @AlabamaFTBL — is looooonnngggg gone,” Smith stated. He pointed to sacks surrendered and dropped passes as evidence.
Pressure Mounts on Coach Kalen DeBoer
This Kalen DeBoer first game loss of the 2025 season comes after his debut year was considered a failure by many fans for missing the College Football Playoff. The defeat marks a challenging start to the second season for the head coach.
Alabama’s schedule is set to become more difficult. The team will face Georgia next month before playing Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina, and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks.
