It’s probably the biggest season opening game in recent college football history. No. 3 Florida State faces off against No. 1 Alabama on ABC.
As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for the press release from Florida State.
ATLANTA – After two years of anticipation, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff between Florida State and Alabama is finally here. The Peach Bowl committee has billed the game as the “Greatest Opener of All Time,” and, at least in terms of national rankings, it is. The No. 3 Seminoles and No. 1 Crimson Tide are the highest-ranked teams to meet in a season opener since the Associated Press first established its preseason poll in 1950. Here are the names, numbers and notes you need to know before Saturday night’s kickoff.
1) Game on
No. 3 Florida State (10-3, 5-3 ACC in 2016) vs. Alabama (14-1, 8-0 SEC)
When/Where: Saturday, 8 p.m./Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000) in Atlanta
TV/Radio: ABC/Seminole IMG Radio Network
Florida State injury report:
Out for Game
DB Nate Andrews (Leg)
DB Carlos Becker (Ankle)
DB Decalon Brooks (Knee)
DB Cyrus Fagan (Knee)
TE Alexander Marshall (Hand)
LB Delvin Purifoy (Ankle)
OL David Robbins (Concussion)
OL Brady Scott (Foot)
Out for Season
OL Baveon Johnson (Knee)
OL Jauan Williams (Shoulder)
2. Know Your Foe
Alabama Crimson Tide
Coach: Nick Saban (114-19 in 10 seasons at Alabama, 205-65-1 overall)
Last game: Alabama was just moments away from a second straight national championship. But Clemson’s Deshaun Watson stunned the Crimson Tide by finding Hunter Renfrow for a go-ahead touchdown with one second left. The Tigers won the College Football Playoff championship game, 35-31, and sent the Tide into the offseason with a bitter taste in its mouth.
Last game vs. Florida State: Xavier Lee threw a pair of touchdown passes to De’Cody Fagg – including a 70-yarder in the fourth quarter – as the Seminoles topped Alabama, 21-14, in Jacksonville on Sept. 29, 2007. It was first and only meeting between Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden and the program he grew up idolizing. Jimbo Fisher (as offensive coordinator) and Nick Saban (as head coach) were both also in their first years at their new schools.
Alabama vs. Florida State all-time: The Crimson Tide leads the all-time series 2-1-1.
1965: No. 15 ALABAMA 21, Florida State 0
1967: Florida State 37, No. 2 Alabama 37*
1974: No. 3 ALABAMA 8, Florida State 7
2007: Florida State 21, No. 22 Alabama 14**
2017: No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 1 Alabama, Saturday, 8 p.m.***
*—in Birmingham, **—in Jacksonville, ***—in Atlanta
3. Storylines
It’s hard to imagine a regular-season game having more compelling storylines than this one: Two of college football’s most storied programs, two of the game’s most successful head coaches and two rosters with as much talent as anyone in the country. Throw in obvious CFP implications – the winner is the clear frontrunner in the playoff race, while the loser might still have a case by the end of the year – and two passionate fan bases, and this one has all the makings of one of the season’s most memorable contests.
Saban and Fisher are the obvious draws – the teacher and the apprentice. Fisher of course served as Saban’s offensive coordinator at LSU from 2000-05 and, along with Bowden, cites Saban as one of his major influences in coaching. Saban has since solidified his place as the greatest coach of his era, while Fisher has established himself as one of the sport’s brightest new stars.
The game is on your local ABC affiliate at 8 p.m. Watch it with me.
