We are just a bit over two months until Alabama football squares off against Florida State in Tallahassee, and first-year Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos has a bold prediction for the season opener.
Despite extremely different final records for the 2024 season, both teams are coming off disappointing seasons for their respective programs. Alabama finished with a 9-4 record, failing to reach the College Football Playoffs, while Florida State is coming off a two-win season with wins over California and Charleston Southern, an FCS school. Both teams will be breaking in a new starting quarterback on August 30 in the season opener.
Castellanos was asked about the season opener against the Crimson Tide in a recent interview with On3. The transfer quarterback from Boston College had some very interesting comments about facing Alabama.
“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos said. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me."
“And then the ACC. I feel like I tore the ACC up by my damn self for the last two years, and now I’m with a squad. I hope people don’t think that Florida State is going to be the same team it was last year because we have weapons. People can’t just sit back in zone coverage and watch me," he added.
Last season, Castellanos started eight games at Boston College under former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’ Brien. During his eight starts, he connected on 61.5% of his passes, totaling 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns, with five interceptions. He also contributed 194 rushing yards and scored once on 93 rushing attempts.
In his interview, Castellanos shared that he regretted playing last season for O’Brien, citing that his offensive scheme limited his playing style as a quarterback. At Florida State, he will be reunited with a familiar face that should give his playing style more freedom. Castellanos began his career with Gus Malzahn at Central Florida and will now have the opportunity to run the same style offense at Florida State, as Malzahn starts his first year as offensive coordinator for the Seminoles.
The season opener between Alabama and Florida State is set for August 30 at 2:30 p.m. inside Doak Walker Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The game will be televised on ABC.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
