Regarding the Seminoles’ 3:30 PM EST kickoff schedule against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos expresses his thoughts on social media.

The date is set. The kickoff time is locked in. And if there were any doubts about how fired up the Florida State Seminoles are for their monumental clash against the Alabama Crimson Tide this fall, quarterback Thomas Castellanos made his emotions clear on Monday afternoon.

Moments after ESPN officially announced that the Florida State-Alabama showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium will kick off at 3:30 PM EST as the network’s featured game of the week, Castellanos took to social media to post a short but powerful message:

The post, which immediately racked up thousands of likes and retweets from Florida State fans, reflects not only Castellanos’ excitement for the national spotlight but also the broader sense of urgency within the Seminoles program heading into the 2025 season.

For Thomas Castellanos, the Alabama game is more than just another game. It’s a defining moment—a chance to show the country what Florida State football has become under head coach Mike Norvell and what the junior quarterback from Waycross, Georgia is capable of leading on the national stage.

Transferred from UCF in 2024, Castellanos injected new life into the Seminoles’ offense last season, showcasing his dual-threat ability while stepping in during critical moments. Now entrenched as the team’s starter following the departure of Jordan Travis and Brock Glenn, Castellanos has taken full ownership of the offense.

With the Alabama Crimson Tide visiting Doak Campbell Stadium in a rare early-season non-conference matchup between two historic programs, all eyes will be on the quarterback tasked with leading the charge.

“Thomas is a competitor,” said offensive coordinator Alex Atkins during spring practice. “He lives for games like this. National TV, home crowd, championship-caliber opponent. That’s what drives him.”

While primetime matchups under the lights have their mystique, the 3:30 PM EST slot on ABC or CBS is steeped in tradition and often delivers the weekend’s marquee showdown. For Florida State, it means a national audience, a raucous crowd under the Tallahassee sun, and a chance to make a statement early in the season.

“You want to play Alabama when the world is watching,” Castellanos said during spring media availability. “And you want them in your house.”

The timing also benefits Florida State’s signature game-day environment. Doak Campbell Stadium, which seats over 79,000 fans, is notorious for its deafening atmosphere and pregame spectacle, especially when the war chant echoes through the crowd as Chief Osceola plants the spear at midfield.

A mid-afternoon kickoff means the crowd will be fully engaged from the opening whistle, with enough daylight for the pageantry and enough intensity to rattle even the most seasoned visitors.

Within minutes of Castellanos’ tweet, Florida State faithful flooded his mentions with encouragement, GIFs, and rallying cries. The post tapped into the collective energy that has been building since the schedule was first revealed.

One fan replied:

“We’re behind you 100%, QB1. Let’s show them what the Noles are about.”

Another wrote:

“3:30 is perfect. Hot sun, humid air, and 80,000 screaming fans in garnet and gold. That’s our element. #GoNoles”

Even former players like Jameis Winston and Derwin James chimed in with emojis and subtle support. The anticipation is not just about the game—it’s about what it represents for Florida State’s quest to reclaim its seat at college football’s elite table.

The matchup between Florida State and Alabama is one of the most highly anticipated games of the 2025 college football season. Both programs are blue-bloods with national championships, Heisman winners, and rabid fanbases.

It’s also a game laced with narrative.

Alabama, led by new head coach Kalen DeBoer, is entering a new era following the retirement of Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide remain loaded with talent, including projected first-round picks on both sides of the ball.

Florida State, meanwhile, is re-emerging under Mike Norvell. After a strong 2024 campaign that ended with a narrow loss in the ACC Championship Game, the Seminoles return a core of experienced players hungry to prove they belong in the College Football Playoff conversation.

“This is more than just a game. This is a measuring stick,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “If Thomas Castellanos plays the way he’s capable of, Florida State can not only beat Alabama—they can announce themselves as a national title contender.”

Since arriving in Tallahassee, Castellanos has rapidly grown into a respected voice in the locker room. Coaches praise his work ethic. Teammates cite his positivity and accountability. And now, with the spotlight squarely on him, Castellanos is embracing the moment.

“He’s the guy who stays after practice to throw extra routes,” said wide receiver Hykeem Williams. “He’s the first one in the building on Monday and the last one out on Friday. We believe in him.”

His leadership has also extended to recruiting efforts and community involvement. Castellanos has become a face of the program—someone fans and coaches alike can rally behind.

His understated but confident social media message echoed that tone: not boastful, but assured. Not flashy, but focused.

While it’s still early in the season, the Seminoles’ clash with Alabama is already shaping up as a CFP-impacting showdown. Both programs are projected to start the year ranked in the top 10, and the winner of this game could control its own playoff destiny moving forward.

It’s also a critical opportunity for the ACC to stake its claim in a rapidly evolving college football landscape dominated in recent years by the SEC and Big Ten.

For Florida State, winning this game at home would do more than validate preseason hype—it would make a definitive statement to the selection committee and silence any remaining critics who doubt Norvell’s long-term vision.

“Every year there’s one game that defines your season,” said linebacker DJ Lundy. “This might be that game.”

The 3:30 PM start time means Alabama’s players will need to endure peak Tallahassee humidity—a potential X-factor. While it’s not unusual for SEC teams to deal with southern heat, Doak Campbell’s blend of crowd noise and brutal climate makes for an exhausting environment.

Florida State’s strength and conditioning staff has already begun tailoring their summer schedule to prepare players for that precise moment.

“We’ll be ready for the heat,” Castellanos said in a recent interview. “But more than that, we’ll be ready for the battle.”

If Thomas Castellanos leads the Seminoles to victory over Alabama, it will go down as a signature moment in Florida State football history. Think Jameis Winston vs. Clemson in 2013, or Chris Weinke vs. Florida in 1999. A victory would vault Castellanos into legendary status among FSU quarterbacks.

He’s aware of that history, but he’s not letting it become a distraction.

“I’m just focused on doing my job—getting better every day, staying locked in with my teammates, and trusting the work we’ve put in,” Castellanos told reporters after spring camp.

Still, the potential is impossible to ignore. The game will be broadcast nationally, with playoff implications and individual legacies on the line.

As anticipation builds for one of the most high-profile games of the 2025 college football calendar, Thomas Castellanos has already set the tone for the Seminoles.

No gimmicks. No trash talk. Just a confident call to arms and a willingness to meet the challenge head-on.

“3:30 in the Doak vs. Bama? Let’s get to work.”

In eight words, Castellanos captured the mindset of an entire program: focused, fearless, and ready to rise.

• Ticket Demand: Ticket sales spiked following the announcement of the 3:30 PM kickoff, with resale values already topping $450 per seat in some sections.
• Broadcast Details: The game will air on ABC, with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit expected to be on the call.
• Historical Context: This will be the first meeting between Florida State and Alabama since the 2017 season opener, which Alabama won 24-7. FSU is looking for its first win over Alabama since 2007.

Stay tuned as fall camp approaches, because this showdown is already shaping up to be a season-defining moment for both Castellanos and the Florida State Seminoles.