Staff Predictions for Alabama vs Florida State

The college football season is underway and the wait is over the two successful programs as far as wins of this decade and 5 of the last 8 national champions will battle on the field as the Florida State Seminoles take on Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend in Atlanta at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Crimson Tide are coming off a disappointing national championship loss to another ACC powerhouse Clemson while the Seminoles finished their 2017 season by defeating the Michigan Wolverines 33-32 in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Coach Nick Saban is undefeated in season-openers at Alabama and Coach Jimbo Fisher is 9-1 against SEC opponents while at Florida State.

So who does our staff think will get their first win of the 2017 season in the most anticipated season opener in recent memory.

Martin Houston, Host of The Blitz

Well the wait is finally over! Alabama nation you can finally get the nasty taste of the last second loss to Clemson out of your mouth! Jimbo Fisher and FSU Seminoles will present the Tide with it's toughest opening game under Nick Saban. The Seminoles are built like and SEC Team and will have the athletes to rival the Tide. I do not expect this historical, #1 vs #3 matchup to look like the previous season openers, in which Bama has totally dominated from start to finish. Look for it to be competitive early, but the teacher (Saban) will take the student (Fisher) to school, with an explosive (Offense) and aggressive (Defense) game plan, that shows that he is still the King of the Hill! Alabama's Defense starts things off with an early game changing play, that ignites the new offensive coordinator and a much improved quarterback!  Bama's biggest concern, the field goal kickers, will have to wait a little longer before they are needed. Alabama wins a hard fought game, by outlasting the Seminoles and pulling away to an 11 point victory, aided by another non-offensive touchdown. Alabama 35 - Florida St. 24

Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

I believe Florida State will have a different mentality than teams that usually play Alabama. They will be ready to take on the challenge of facing the number one team. I look for a low scoring affair. Florida State 17 - Alabama 14

Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Look for this to be a tight game throughout. Jimbo Fisher will be very familiar with how to attack the Bama defense. I think depth and preparation will pay off in the 4th quarter for Bama. Alabama 24 - Florida Sate 17

Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show

Alabama has won a lot of high profile opening games under Nick Saban. Clemson, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Southern California. But I believe this Florida State team is better than any of those teams. In fact, Nick Saban has said that FSU is built like an SEC team. Jimbo Fisher has recruited very well and the Florida State Seminoles are capable of beating the Crimson Tide...but they won't. Alabama wins a tough four quarter game. Alabama 27 - Florida State 23

Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports

My, how things have changed since the last time these two met. The year was 2007 and Nick Saban was in the infancy stages of implementing "the process." Meanwhile, Bobby Bowden was fighting off a growing segment of the FSU fanbases that felt it was time for the legendary coach to ride off into retirement. Seem appropriate that a struggle between two mediocre-to-subpar teams that year was later vacated. Expect this go around to be a far more memorable affair. Alabama 31 - Florida State 24

Aaron Suttles, Host of The Suttles Approach

This game to me is all about which team can wear the other down. If Brian Daboll leans on FSU with the run for four quarters, I think Alabama pulls away late. Alabama 31 - Florida State 21

Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game

Football is a game that is won in trenches, Florida State and Alabama are no different. Earlier this week on “The Game,” we spoke with long-time Florida State reporter, Ira Schoffell, who told us he thought FSU would have a C+ offensive line. I immediately said you cannot beat Alabama with a C + offensive line. Alabama has an offensive coordinator that is not afraid to run it down their throat. Alabama will take their shots downfield, but look for Alabama to run their way to a Crimson Tide victory. Alabama 31 - Florida State 17

Ben George, Digital Managing Editor

We’re going to find out a whole lot about both of these teams on Saturday night. Bama and FSU come in with expectations through the roof, but who will execute better in Atlanta. I think these teams are very similar in terms of strengths and the way they are built, and that typically favors Alabama. This one will be a heavyweight battle that might take a little time to open up offensively. I expect both quarterbacks to face pressure most of the night, but the Crimson Tide has a bigger, stronger set of running backs and that will make the difference. Alabama 28, Florida State 20

Thomas Paradiso, Producer

First game of the season and it's tough one for the Tide. There are still questions that need to be answered both offensively and defensively for me, but if Alabama sticks to what they know, I think Alabama prevails in their first true test of the year. Alabama 31 Florida State 17

James Hardy, Producer

Alabama will face one of their toughest if not their toughest test of the season right out of the gate against Florida State. The Seminoles return one of the most experienced defenses in college football including college football's leader in interceptions in Tavarus McFadden. With a new offensive coordinator, a key for Alabama is to grind out first downs with the running game and short passing game. If Jalen Hurts is put in third and long situations, it will be a long night for the Crimson Tide. Alabama 28 - Florida State 27

Marquis Munson, Producer

This has to be one of Alabama's toughest opening opponent in the Nick Saban era on paper. Florida State defensively has a bunch of talent especially in the secondary. Jalen Hurts decision making and development through the off season will be tested early against this Seminoles defense. However, on the other side the Seminoles offense could be a major concern in this game. The Crimson Tide have a ton of talent in the defensive front line and the Seminoles lack experience in their offensive line. Seminoles freshman running back Cam Akers or whoever they use in the backfield will have a tough time gaining yardage in this game and I don't think quarterback Deondre Francois will have enough time to throw the football down field and that will force the Seminoles to rely on their defense and that will possibly keep them on the field for most of the game. The Seminoles will scratch and crawl to find offense, but Francois is talented enough, especially outside the pocket which he'll see a lot of plays coming out of it, and Jimbo Fisher is a smart enough coach to make the right calls on offense to get some scoring on the board. They will find some late offense, but it won't be enough to stop the Crimson Tide. Alabama 30 - Florida State 24