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The Alabama football team will travel to Tallahassee in Week 1 to face off against Florida State. The Crimson Tide will have a little extra motivation to leave Doak Campbell Stadium with a win that Saturday afternoon.
Seminoles starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos stirred the pot with some offseason trash talk. His future opponent is looking to make him eat his words.
Each of these teams is coming off of relatively disappointing seasons given expectations. Alabama went 9-4 in Year 1 of the Kalen DeBoer era after making a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. The campaign included inexplicable losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
Florida State, meanwhile, went just 2-10 after winning the ACC win during an undefeated regular season the year prior. Both squads are looking to make a statement in the season opener.
It will represent a year of transition under center for both the Tide and ‘Noles. Out are past starters Jalen Milroe and DJ Uiagalelei. In are Ty Simpson and Castellanos. Both have set out to prove their doubters wrong.
Simpson has been on the Alabama roster for some time. He’ll receive a promotion following the departure of Milroe. Castellanos, meanwhile, is fresh off a demotion.
Thomas Castellanos is confident despite being benched.
The passer previously suited up for Boston College. He left the school after being replaced on the depth chart. It led him to Florida State, where he’s now made it his mission to prove doubters wrong. That starts with Alabama.
This week, he was heard giving a bold prediction on the Week 1 matchup between the Crimson Tide and Seminoles. He doesn’t think the Alabama defense stands a chance.
“They don’t have Nick Saban to save them,” he said. “I just don’t see them stopping me.”
That quote was quickly posted to social media. It’s now also on Alabama’s Week 1 bulletin board. Soon after the quip went viral, Crimson Tide players were seen mocking Thomas Castellanos online.
Alabama players reaction to Thomas Castellanos’s comments to @PeteNakos_
Alabama LB target Xavier Griffin also commented “😂” pic.twitter.com/oWZx1Q3fBq
— Wyatt Fulton (@FultonW_) June 23, 2025
Some have saved the prediction to look back on at a later date. Others have dismissed it with a quick laugh. Everyone’s seen it, though, meaning it will likely resurface on game week.
At this point in time, Alabama is favored in the matchup by two touchdowns despite playing on the road. Castellanos isn’t lacking confidence, though. He believes he can best the Tide in the opener.