Alabama vs. Florida State: Preview, predictions, TV schedule and more
By John Buhler
Final Prediction
It would not be shocking to see these two southeastern blue-bloods meet in the 2018 College Football Playoff at season’s end. Alabama is the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC for the fourth year in a row. With Clemson in a bit of a reload, Florida State has to be the favorite to come out of the ACC Atlantic and win the conference.
What makes this game so interesting is that might allow the first two-loss team to make the College Football Playoff. The Penn State Nittany Lions had two losses a year ago and still won the Big Ten. However, they were kept out of the final four by a team they beat earlier in the year in the rival Ohio State Buckeyes.
Frankly, the loser of this game will actually benefit from the defeat. It will light a fire under Nick Saban or Jimbo Fisher’s team the rest of the way. Even if Alabama were to fall to an Auburn or Florida State to a Clemson in addition to this game, these programs would be in great shape to still win their conference and make the playoff.
If you even remotely like major college football, there is no reason to not be watching this game at any point. Two blue-bloods of this magnitude simply do not meet in the non-conference at a neutral site like this.
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Expect a tight, one-score game that will be thrilling to the finish. We may not see the explosive, highlight worthy plays in this game, but hopefully it is a sign of a good college football season to come. Alabama gets one more stop from its defense than does Florida State. While the Crimson Tide win, the Seminoles are able to cover ever so slightly.
Prediction: Alabama 30, Florida State 24