Alabama vs. Florida State is back — and this time the Seminoles are coming to Tuscaloosa. On a new episode of The Next Round’s Last Call, Mick Gillespie and former Alabama national championship quarterback Jake Coker preview the Crimson Tide’s highly anticipated rematch with Florida State in what we’re calling “Coker Bowl 2.”
Florida State stunned Alabama 31-17 in Tallahassee in 2025, but the setting and circumstances are dramatically different for the rematch. No. 10 Alabama enters 2-0 and is currently favored by roughly 19.5 points as the Crimson Tide welcomes FSU to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
What does Alabama have to do differently this time?
Jake explains why protecting the football and establishing the running game early could be critical for an Alabama offense led by Keelon Russell. The guys also discuss the potential return of right guard Michael Carroll, Alabama’s improving offensive line and whether the Crimson Tide can impose its physicality from the opening drive.
Defensively, Alabama has been dominant on third down, allowing opponents to convert just 1 of 23 third-down attempts through its first two games. That unit now faces a Florida State offense built around quarterback Ashton Daniels and running back Ousmane Kromah, with FSU needing its physical rushing attack to create manageable third downs and keep pressure off Daniels.
But is this really a revenge game?
Coker discusses how roster turnover and the transfer portal have changed the psychology of college football revenge games before sharing stories from his own playing career about how elite teams manufacture motivation. That includes Scott Cochran using the Kick Six as fuel, Nick Saban demanding championship-level practice intensity regardless of the opponent, Coker’s memories from Florida State before a huge Clemson road game, and the kind of relentless effort that separated Alabama’s best teams.
Then things get lighter as the former quarterback — who spent time at both Florida State and Alabama — settles some Tuscaloosa vs. Tallahassee debates:
🏈 Alabama helmet or Florida State helmet?
🍻 Tuscaloosa or Tallahassee bar scene?
🍽️ Which town has the better food?
🏫 Which campus gets the edge?
🎣 Fishing or deer hunting?
🏛️ Denny Chimes or Westcott Fountain?
😎 And the ultimate debate: Joe Namath or Burt Reynolds?
Coker also delivers his Five Guys Sports college football picks for the week, including South Carolina against Mississippi State, Louisville against SMU and Clemson against North Carolina.
If you’re looking for an in-depth Alabama vs. Florida State preview, Crimson Tide football analysis, stories from inside the Nick Saban era, Jake Coker’s perspective on both programs and college football betting picks, this episode of Last Call has you covered.
Alabama vs. Florida State: Saturday, September 19 | 2:30 p.m. CT | ABC
Subscribe to The Next Round for more Alabama football, SEC football and college football coverage throughout the 2026 season.
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