For the first time since 2001, Alabama starts the season 0-1 after dropping the season opener 31-17 to Florida State on Saturday.
The conditions were sloppy, as was the play of the No. 8-ranked Crimson Tide. Alabama received the ball to start the game and proceeded to march down the field with ease to take an early touchdown lead. From that point forward, things started to unravel for the Crimson Tide.
Here are a few takeaways from the game.
- Simpson’s Favorite Receiver
Ryan Williams may be the flashier receiver, but Ty Simpson locked in on veteran receiver Germie Bernard. Simpson targeted the Washington transfer a team-high 14 times, with Bernard making eight catches for 146 yards. Bernard’s big game was the only bright spot in a rough season opener for the Crimson Tide.
- Dominated in the Trenches
In areas where Alabama should have had a significant advantage, the trenches were dominated by Florida State. On the offensive side of the ball, the line allowed three sacks and seven tackles for loss. The line was unable to create holes for the running backs outside of the opening drive. Simpson was constantly hurried the entire game. On the defensive side of the ball, the Crimson Tide did not record a tackle for loss until the closing minutes of the third quarter. The Alabama defense finished with just one sack and three tackles for loss, allowing 232 rushing yards.
- Penalty Problems
Every time Florida State opened up the door for Alabama to make a comeback, the Crimson Tide shot themselves in the foot. Alabama committed eight penalties for 70 penalty yards. It wasn’t just the number of penalties, but the timing of them. When the offense started to click, a penalty would put the offense in a bad spot to overcome. When the defense made a big stop to force a punt, a late hit or roughing the passer penalty extended the drive for the Seminoles.
- Castellanos Backs Up His Talk
In the offseason, Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos talked a big game, saying that Bama didn’t have Nick Saban to save them and that he didn’t see their defense being able to stop him. Well, on Saturday, he backed up those words. The Crimson Tide had little resistance to the legs of the Florida State quarterback. Castellanos went 9-14 for 152 yards and zero touchdowns. He did most of his damage with his legs, rushing the ball 16 times for 78 yards and one touchdown.
- Malzahn is Still a Thorn in Alabama’s Side
When Gus Malzahn was an offensive coordinator and head coach at Auburn, he gave Alabama defenses fits with his gimmick plays and fast-paced offense. A few stops after leaving Auburn, Malzahn found himself facing the Crimson Tide once again, this time as the offensive coordinator at Florida State. Malzahn did what he does best, and once again, Alabama had no answers.
Alabama will host Louisiana-Monroe on September 6 at 6:45 p.m. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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