The start of head coach Calende Boer’s second season with the Alabama Crimson Tide was a tough one, as they fell to the Florida State Seminoles with a score of 31-17 on Saturday afternoon.

Initially, it seemed all the upgrades made during the offseason were paying off. The team kicked off with a strong opening drive, showcasing 17 plays that covered 75 yards and took nearly nine minutes to culminate in a touchdown. It was a classic display from the Tide.

Power running, solid offensive line work, and a mobile quarterback, Ty Simpson, led Alabama to grab a 7-point lead with a short touchdown pass to Josh Quebas.

However, the Seminoles quickly responded with a quick seven-play series that featured Boston College transfer Thomas Castellanos in a standout performance. He was effective both passing and running, allowing Florida State to take a 17-7 lead by halftime.

In the second half, Florida State continued to build on their lead, reaching 24-7 after a significant completion followed by a short rushing touchdown from Jaylyn Lucas.

Alabama managed to narrow the gap with a field goal and a touchdown by Ricoscott, bringing the score to 24-17 in the fourth quarter. Yet, they struggled to regain possession and mount a serious challenge as Castellanos and his offense kept pressuring Alabama’s defense.

Castellanos, who had garnered attention over the offseason, ended the day with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping the Seminoles compile an impressive 230 yards on the ground. In stark contrast, Alabama struggled physically, mustering just 74 rushing yards.

Simpson had a solid outing, throwing for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and finishing without any interceptions. Germie Bernard was the standout receiver, with eight catches for 146 yards.

Deboer and his team faced challenges in tackling and blocking throughout the game, leading to a disappointing performance. While there’s still a lot of season left, a quick turnaround is crucial for Alabama to quiet the growing concerns about their performance.