Weather forecast: rain & thunderstorms highs in the low 80s

Dijon Lee to start and Zabian Brown to move to Husky

At Florida State The 2025 FSU football team marks a fresh start. Head coach Mike Norvell enters his sixth season, now backed by a rebuilt staff and renewed energy.

• Star wide receivers Duce Robinson and Squirrel White lead a revamped receiving corps. Running backs Roydell Williams and Kam Davis anchor the backfield, with freshman contributions emerging.
  • Offensive line strengthened by experienced transfers like Gunnar Hansen and Micah Pettus.
  • On defense, newcomers such as James Williams (edge rusher) and others bolster the front. Linebackers like Stefon Thompson and Justin Cryer are expected to stabilize the unit.
• Defensive Line: Darrell Jackson Jr. is a defensive tackle with high potential, though consistency will be key. James Williams, a defensive end transfer from Nebraska, is another important piece.
• Defensive Backs: Earl Little Jr., a safety who gained confidence in the second half of 2024, is projected for a significant role. Jeremiah Wilson, a transfer cornerback, is expected to lock down one side of the field.

• Roydell Williams (RB): An Alabama transfer, Williams adds depth and proven SEC experience to the backfield.
• Gavin Sawchuk (RB): A transfer from Oklahoma, Sawchuk is another significant portal addition who could compete for the lead role. He was highly regarded as a recruit and has the potential to be a "home run hitter".
• Ousmane Kromah (RB): A highly touted true freshman, Kromah enters a crowded running back room but possesses the talent and explosiveness to make an immediate impact.
• Defensive players

• James Williams (DE): Williams transferred with defensive coordinator Tony White from Nebraska and is expected to become an every-down defensive end for the Seminoles.System fit: Defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme is designed to maximize the abilities of players like Jackson. He has a history of building "moneyball" defenses with disparate parts.
• New additions: Transfers like James Williams from Nebraska and Deante McCray from Western Kentucky are expected to make an immediate impact and provide depth.

Dr T gives his predictions for the regular season game by game and if Bama makes the playoffs.

But first what are the issues and items of concern that could hurt Bama this season and derail the season and does Bama have the answers to overcome these issues.

Issues

1. Bama QB

2. Is the offense fixed and more potent and more consistent that in 2024

3. The running game

4. O-line – right tackle

5. Redzone offense and short yardage offense

6. Defense – Interior Defensive Line

7. Defensive discipline – doing your assigned job, assignment football, disciplined football, setting the edge, plugging the running lanes, corralling the QB, and generating sack

8. Special Teams

9. Kicking Game

10. Punt Team

11. Too many Penalties

12. DeBoer’s inability to win road games in the SEC – only 1-3 in SEC road games to date

Dr T’s predictions

Alabama Schedule

Win Lose or Toss-up

Season Record Prediction: Floor Ceiling & Final Prediction

Playoffs: Does Bama make it?

E38 BH Rewind Relook Bama Crushing Loss to Oklahoma. Bama suffers crushing loss to Oklahoma on the road. Milroe regression, Defense failure to execute, and poor preparation and coaching. Stunning loss by Bama. As the offense has a failure to launch and the defense fails to stop the OK running game as the fail to set the edge, loses containment in the running game, and one or more players are out of position repeatedly. In a stunning upset on November 23, 2024, the Oklahoma Sooners defeated the No. 7-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 24-3 at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The loss significantly impacted Alabama's hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff and eliminated them from contention for the SEC Championship game. Game highlights Alabama's offensive struggles: The Crimson Tide offense had a particularly difficult night, managing only 3 points – the lowest offensive output for Alabama since 2004. Quarterback Jalen Milroe completed just 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards and threw three interceptions, including a pick-six, ESPN reports. Alabama's rushing attack was also largely ineffective, gaining only 70 yards on the ground. Oklahoma's defensive dominance: The Sooners' defense stifled Alabama's offense, creating pressure and forcing Jalen Milroe into bad decisions including 3 interceptions and one of them returned for a TD. Oklahoma's defense recorded nine tackles for loss and one sack. Oklahoma's rushing attack: The Sooners relied heavily on their run game, with quarterback Jackson Arnold and running back Xavier Robinson each surpassing 100 rushing yards. Oklahoma gained 257 rushing yards in total, compared to Alabama's 70, notes ESPN. • Xavier Robinson's first touchdown run: With 37 seconds left in the second quarter, Oklahoma running back Xavier Robinson's 18-yard touchdown run put the Sooners up 10-3 at halftime. This gave Oklahoma crucial momentum heading into the second half. • Eli Bowen's interception early in the third quarter: On Alabama's third offensive play of the second half, Oklahoma's Eli Bowen intercepted Alabama QB Jalen Milroe's pass and returned it 25 yards to the Alabama 14-yard line. This turnover set up another Oklahoma touchdown and increased their lead. • Xavier Robinson's second touchdown run: Following Bowen's interception, Robinson scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run, further extending Oklahoma's lead to 17-3. • Kip Lewis' pick-six: With 8:05 left in the third quarter, Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted a pass from Jalen Milroe and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown, making the score 24-3. This play effectively sealed Alabama's fate, putting the game out of reach. • Jalen Milroe's struggles and turnovers: Milroe's three interceptions were critical turning points, as they directly led to Oklahoma points and stifled Alabama's ability to mount a comeback. • Oklahoma's defensive dominance in the trenches: Aftermath and implications Worst loss in years: This loss was one of the worst for Alabama in recent memory, marking the biggest defeat since the 2018 national championship against Clemson and the largest loss to an unranked team since 1998, according to CBS Sports. Summary: Bama’s playoffs hopes died with the loss to Oklahoma. Other than a big road win over LSU, Bama played poorly in its three SEC road losses and played its worst game of the season against Oklahoma. The offense was bad and Milroe was terrible. And the rushing defense was bad and Alabama was not able to stop Oklahoma on 3rd down. The offense put the defense in bad positions and the defense was not able to get key stops when needed. This loss summed up the problems Alabama had all season and the problems Alabama must fix if Bama wants to make the CFPlayoff in 2025.

E37 S1 Bamateurs predict each Game outcome for Bama 2025 Season and predict the Bama Overall Record and Bama's playoff fate for 2025

News and notes from the last few days for the Bama football team. And then a prediction game by game for how Alabama will do in each game. A prediction of what Bama's record will be at the end of the season. And a prediction of whether or not Bama will make the playoffs.

E36 S1 Bama Second Scrimmage News Notes and Takeaways as Ty Simpson Shines

Ty Simpson

According to multiple reports from the scrimmage, Simpson completed 14-of-15 passes for well over 125 yds, with the one incompletion being a dropped pass by redshirt sophomore Cole Adams on a play that would have resulted in a touchdown.

Simpson reportedly threw a 25-yard touchdown strike to Ryan Williams, while also breaking off a long touchdown run. Simpson's legs continue to be an underrated part of his game. He doesn't have Jalen Milroe's wheels, but he is a true dual-threat quarterback who will make plays every single game with his feet.

"I thought he came out and executed the offense," DeBoer said about Simpson after the scrimmage. "Just continues to be steady, finds his times to make the plays. Today, he actually used his speed again. And that’s something that people will probably underestimate as we go through the year, just with his ability to make plays and keep plays alive. But he was, I thought, he was steady. He was consistent."

Ty is running the offense effectively, being precise and surgical and accurate with his throws.

Using his legs to extend plays and to pick up first downs and even score.

Not throwing picks.

Not taking sacks.

Jam Miller out for the FSU game and probably out until the Georgia game.

Opens up the RB position for Daniel Hill, Richard Young, and Dre Washington

Daniel Hill is unique in the RB room.

Special teams are a concern.

FG Kicker particularly concerning. – Can he make kicks consistently, particularly beyond 40 yds? Punting concerning as well –

Dijon Lee vying for playing time and starting position at Corner. Freshman cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. received significant time with the first-string defense. Played with the 1’s in the scrimmage. 6’4 and 202 and strong and very athletic.

Ten: Germie Bernard goes for 1000 yards opposite Ryan Williams and scores 5 to 10 TD’s during the season as the trio of Horton, Williams, and Bernard gives defenses fits.

Nine: Isaiah Horton becomes an All-American and 1st round pick and is the clutch third down and redzone WR for Bama.

Eight: The Bama defense averages 2 plus turnovers per game. as the Bama pass rush flourishes and the Bama secondary records 10 to 15 interceptions on the season.

Seven: Interior D-line is stout. Tim Keenan and James Smith and their back-up’s fortify the defensive interior line and Bama becomes a strong run defense in 2025. Backup: Jeremiah Beaman (RS FR) Depth: Steve Mboumoua (JR) Edric Hill (RS SO) Depth: Isaia Faga (RS FR) and London Simmons (FR) – one of two of them step up and provide depth to shore up interior d-line

Six: Bama sack pack is back. LT Overton, Qua Russaw, and Deonte Lawson led the Bama defense to a dominant playoff run. This trio raises its level of play in 2025 registers 15 to 20 QB sacks during the 2025 season.

Five: Daniel Hill becomes the next great Bama RB. Rushes for 1000 yards and is the lead back for the year.

Four: Ryan Williams goes for over 1000 receiving yards and 10 plus TD’s and is a first team All-American.

Three: The Bama backfield rushes for over 2500 yds as a unit as the Bama run game re-emerges as a force.

Two: Ty Simpson follows in Mac Jones’s footsteps and leads Bama to a Natty. Simpson throws for over 3000 yards and 30 TD passes for the season. Ty also runs for 400 to 500 yds and 5 TD’s as his mobility and escapability keep defenses off-balance

Recent QB’s winning a natty – Will Howard, JJ McCarthy, Stetson Bennett twice, Mac Jones, and Joe Burrow. What does that say? And can Ty Simpson win a natty? Yes.

One: Bama wins the natty. Goes 10-2 during the regular season, makes the playoffs (but not the SEC championship) and then peaks to win the natty during a tough, strong playoff run. Bama goes 10-2 losing only to GA and to either Auburn or/SC to make the playoff’s. Then Bama runs through the playoffs like Ohio State did last year to win a natty beating Clemson in the Championship game. Brad Powers – a college football professional handicapper and college football betting expert – is listing Alabama and Notre Dame as his two best bets to win the natty.

Bama has a loaded roster and heavy on juniors and seniors who have been with the program for a long time.

E34 Bama TY QB1 and Scrimmage News and Notes. Breaking news – Ty is indeed the Guy – Ty Simpson named the starter QB 1. Key Takeaways from the Scrimmage • Quarterbacks took care of the football Head coach Kalen DeBoer was pleased: “No picks today” and just a few touchdown passes shared among the three contenders—Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell. All three have maintained a completion rate around or above the desired minimum of 65%. • QB Battle still competitive—but clarity forming Simpson continues to look sharp, rarely taking third-team reps. DeBoer noted that Simpson and Mack show sharp command in the huddle, while freshman Russell is making steady progress. • Wide Receiver depth shining through DeBoer highlighted the rising contributions from Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton (transferred from Miami, with 56 catches for 616 yards last season), Rico Scott for his blocking, and Cole Adams who made a standout play. He praised the versatility and performance propagation across the WR room. • Offensive line versatility and health updates Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb emphasized the interior line’s flexibility and depth, noting players like Geno VanDeMark who can play multiple positions, and rising talents Michael Carroll and Jackson at tackle. Guard Jaeden Roberts remains "dinged up" and didn’t participate in the scrimmage, but his absence is not expected to be long-term. • Creating running lanes DeBoer praised how the line “did a nice job creating some seams for Jam to hit,” allowing running back Jam Miller to reach the second level and break tackles. He called it one of the better scrimmage performances from Miller—thanks in part to strong line play. Daniel Hill impressed with pass-catching ability and size, while Dre and Rich continued their steady, hard-nosed production—even when had to create yards out of nothing; pass protection across the group looked strong. • Rotation impacted by injury With guard Jaeden Roberts sidelined, the line fielded a more limited rotation: Kam Dewberry at left guard and Geno VanDeMark at right guard. DeBoer noted this mirrored the pre-camp configuration. • Handling pass rush and rank-one blocking He emphasized that the offensive line “probably did a better job when there was one-on-ones,” indicating solid individual blocking and effective schemes to counter pressure and keep the quarterback upright. • Room to improve in short-yardage DeBoer acknowledged a need for continued improvement, especially in short-yardage or goal-line situations, noting it’s a "whole unit thing

Potential Trap Games for Alabama in 2025 Bamateur Hour