100 Days Until Alabama Crimson Tide Football Returns: Countdown to Bama vs. Florida State in Epic Season Opener

Can I get a Roll Tide?

We’re officially 100 days out from the return of Alabama Crimson Tide football, and the energy across the Crimson Nation is nothing short of electric. August 30th may still feel a little far off on the calendar, but for Tide fans, the countdown is on. The highly anticipated clash with Florida State at 2:30 p.m. in Atlanta is already one of the most talked-about games of the early 2025 season, and for good reason—it’s more than just a season opener. It’s a statement game. It’s a measuring stick. It’s Alabama football, back on the big stage.

After a turbulent end to the 2024 season that saw Alabama miss out on the College Football Playoff and usher in significant change, 2025 represents more than a fresh start—it’s a new chapter for a program still trying to reassert its dominance in the SEC and beyond. The Saban era is over, but the legacy remains. And under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Tide is looking to forge its own identity, one built on the same principles that defined Alabama’s golden age: toughness, discipline, and an insatiable hunger to win.

That process begins against a loaded Florida State team that’s eyeing revenge for its 2024 Playoff snub. The Seminoles will come to Atlanta with fire, talent, and perhaps even more to prove than Alabama. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that counting out the Tide—especially on a national stage—is a dangerous mistake. Alabama has a long track record of showing up in marquee non-conference matchups, and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game has been a launchpad for many of the program’s most successful campaigns.

By the time kickoff rolls around, DeBoer and his staff will have had a full offseason to prepare. The roster turnover from last season has been significant, but the cupboard is far from bare. Alabama’s 2025 squad will feature a potent mix of returning veterans, high-profile transfers, and a top-five recruiting class brimming with promise. And with DeBoer now more fully embedded in the program’s culture, the cohesion and vision heading into Year 2 should be notably stronger.

Quarterback will, as always, be the focal point. With Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, all eyes are on the next man up. Ty Simpson has shown flashes and could very well be the guy. But incoming freshman Keelon Russell, one of the most decorated quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting cycle, has the tools to challenge early. Whoever takes the first snap in Atlanta will have to do so against a ferocious Florida State defense, but they’ll also benefit from an experienced offensive line and a dynamic group of playmakers at wide receiver and running back.

And speaking of the trenches—Alabama’s offensive and defensive lines could be the true backbone of this team. The 2025 offensive line is projected to be one of the most physical units in the country, headlined by five-star tackle Josiah Thompson and veteran center Seth McLaughlin. On the defensive front, returning leaders like Tim Keenan III and the rising edge force of Qua Russaw give Alabama the kind of disruptive potential that has long been a staple of its defensive identity.

Linebacker and secondary depth will be tested early, but the addition of several transfer portal gems and the development of younger talent like Tony Mitchell and Jahlil Hurley offer reason for optimism. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack will be tasked with dialing up pressure and disguising coverages against an experienced Florida State quarterback room, and Week 1 will be a litmus test for just how far this unit has come since the end of last season.

Special teams, often overlooked in preseason hype, could also be a hidden strength for Alabama. Kicker Will Reichard’s graduation leaves big shoes to fill, but early spring indications suggest the Tide will be solid in that phase of the game. A big return or clutch field goal could be the difference in what’s shaping up to be a classic opening showdown.

Of course, the true wild card in all of this is momentum. Alabama doesn’t just need to win against Florida State—they need to look the part of a national contender again. Early-season games have a way of setting the tone for the rest of the year, and a win in Atlanta would send a strong message to the rest of the SEC that Alabama is not just rebuilding—it’s reloading. It would also be a crucial boost to the team’s Playoff résumé, especially in a new 12-team format that leaves little margin for error against top-tier competition.

There’s no denying the pressure DeBoer faces in his second year. Taking over for a legend like Nick Saban is no enviable task, and while 2024’s 10-3 finish was respectable, anything short of championship contention will always feel like a letdown in Tuscaloosa. But DeBoer has shown that he can win at every stop in his coaching journey, and his calm, calculated approach seems to resonate with the current generation of players. This offseason has been all about building chemistry, establishing leadership, and embracing the challenge of returning Alabama to the mountain top.

The fan base, for its part, is ready. Bryant-Denny Stadium will roar louder than ever this fall. Crimson-clad fans will flood Atlanta come late August. The familiar chants of “Rammer Jammer” and “Roll Tide” will echo once again. There’s something almost sacred about the ritual of Alabama football returning each fall, and this year, the sense of anticipation feels even greater than usual.

Why? Because this team has something to prove. Because the dynasty doesn’t end just because the face on the sideline changes. Because there’s unfinished business, and no shortage of doubters eager to write Alabama’s obituary. But make no mistake: the Tide is far from finished.

The next 100 days will fly by. Fall camp will be here before we know it. Position battles will intensify. Depth charts will crystallize. And slowly, the identity of the 2025 Crimson Tide will take shape. By the time the team walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 30, the goals will be clear: dominate from the first snap, reclaim national respect, and make sure the world knows Alabama football still runs deep, still hits hard, and still expects to win every single Saturday.

So mark your calendars. Set your alarms. Dust off your crimson gear. Alabama football is almost back, and it’s bringing a whole lot of pride, passion, and purpose with it.

100 days to go. Can I get a Roll Tide?