Paul Finebaum doubts Florida State 'will even be competitive' against Alabama in Week 1

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is hungry to turn things around in Tallahassee this fall after the Seminoles went 2-10 last season. However, Paul Finebaum isn’t confident in Norvell’s chances. During an appearance on First Take, Finebaum took a shot at FSU while previewing the team’s Week 1 showdown against Alabama.

“[Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer] doesn’t have a monster game at the beginning,” Finebaum said. “I don’t think Florida State will even be competitive in that opening game. This is not the Florida State of five or six years ago, or even of Mike Norvell. So I think the expectations are lower.”

Florida State has had a roller coaster of an offseason as it’s attempted to reverse course. To start, Norvell fired coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans before the season even concluded.

In turn, Florida State hired former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn to be its offensive coordinator and former Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White to call the Seminoles’ defense. Florida State’s roster also experienced significant turnover this offseason.

The Seminoles lost 31 players to the transfer portal while adding 23 from it. Florida State’s incoming transfer class is headlined by cornerback Jeremiah Wilson and wide receiver Duce Robinson.

However, the group also includes Boston College transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who is expected to start behind center for FSU this fall. With Alabama expected to be a College Football Playoff contender this year, Florida State’s offseason changes will be put to the test immediately.

While Finebaum doesn’t like FSU’s chances against Alabama, Castellanos is extremely confident. In June, the transfer QB made headlines after he told On3’s Pete Nakos about his excitement to square off against the Crimson Tide.

“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos said. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.

“And then the ACC. I feel like I tore the ACC up by my damn self for the last two years, and now I’m with a squad. I hope people don’t think that Florida State is going to be the same team it was last year because we have weapons. People can’t just sit back in zone coverage and watch me.”

Florida State and Alabama will face off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 30. The game will air live on ABC.