By Martha 
Florida State is set to kick off the 2025 season with a massive showdown against Alabama, one of the most highly anticipated matchups in early college football. The Seminoles are looking for a fresh start after a rough 2-10 season, and head coach Mike Norvell is under pressure to turn things around. He’s in the second year of a big contract extension, which he earned partly because Alabama had some interest in him before hiring Kalen DeBoer from Washington.
DeBoer, who went 9-4 in 2024, has a tough task ahead—he needs to find a new starting quarterback after Jalen Milroe declared for the NFL Draft. While supporting his former players at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, DeBoer talked briefly about Alabama’s upcoming schedule. He sees their road game at Florida State and a home game against Wisconsin as great preparation for SEC play.
“We’ve got a solid, competitive schedule,” DeBoer said, according to BamaOnline. “That’s what we want—tough games to get us ready for conference play.”
This will be the first time Florida State and Alabama face off since 2017, and the Seminoles will have a lot of fresh faces on the field. Key newcomers include quarterback Thomas Castellanos, wide receiver Squirrel White, center Luke Petitbon, defensive end James Williams, and linebacker Stefon Thompson.
The game is set for Saturday, August 30, and will be the first played in Florida State’s newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.
Florida State’s 2025 Schedule:
Week 0 – BYE
Week 1 – Aug. 30 vs. Alabama (home opener)
Week 2 – Sept. 6 vs. East Texas A&M
Week 3 – BYE
Week 4 – Sept. 20 vs. Kent State
Week 5 – Sept. 26 at Virginia (Friday game)
Week 6 – Oct. 4 vs. Miami
Week 7 – Oct. 11 vs. Pitt
Week 8 – Oct. 18 at Stanford
Week 9 – BYE
Week 10 – Nov. 1 vs. Wake Forest
Week 11 – Nov. 8 at Clemson
Week 12 – Nov. 15 vs. Virginia Tech (home finale)
Week 13 – Nov. 21 at NC State (Friday game)
Week 14 – Nov. 29 at Florida (regular-season finale)
Big things are happening for Florida State as they prepare for the season. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s progress.