Mike Norvell not shying away from ‘big game’ mentality vs. Alabama

The 2025 college football season opens strong on Aug. 30 with three blockbuster matchups. No. 3 Ohio State/No. 1 Texas kicks things off at noon, while No. 8 Alabama/Florida State fills in at 3:30 and No. 4 Clemson/No. 9 LSU caps off the night at 7:30.

While two of these matchups are between Top 10-ranked opponents, the game between Alabama and Florida State is not. This game will, however, serve as a litmus test for the Seminoles. Will they return to their 2023 form in which they ran the gauntlet with a 12-0 regular season, or will they look more like the 2-10 team that hit the field in 2024?

In any scenario, a clash between Alabama and Florida State is a huge game. This is why FSU head coach Mike Norvell revealed that he absolutely is not shying away from the big game mentality against the Tide, especially with the game taking place in a renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.

“This is a huge game. Huge game,” Norvell said during a media opportunity this week. “I’m not saying ‘it’s just like any other game.’ Hell no. It’s freaking Florida State vs Alabama. That’s awesome. Kicking off the season with a top-10 team coming in here for all of it. In the first game of the season, when you’re playing a first game, there’s so much going into establishing who you are right. What you do well. What you might face. The unknowns of what you could see.

“So yes, there are countless hours in all phases of what it could be. But it still starts with us. If you go out there and do what you think is going to work against this look or this team, but if it doesn’t fit you it won’t matter. It still comes down to making sure we’re on point with the things we can control and putting our guys in the best position. The amount of research and how far you go back and what you look at is extensive. Countless hours.”

These two historic programs have clashed just five times, with Alabama leading the all-time series 3-1-1. The Crimson Tide won the last matchup between the two teams (which featured No. 1 vs No. 3) 24-7 to kick off the 2017 season. Prior to that, the Seminoles downed No. 22 Alabama 21-14 in 2007. That win for FSU has, however, since been vacated.

A win (or even a good showing) for Florida State could prove to the college football world that the 2024 season was just a fluke for the Seminoles. An Alabama drumming, however, could reveal an alarming truth for the Seminole faithful.