# Alabama's Revenge Game? Not Quite

> Alabama faces Florida State in a rematch after last year's upset, but DeBoer says it's about growth, not revenge.
- Title: Alabama's Revenge Game? Not Quite · Alabama Crimson Tide On SI
- Summary: Alabama faces Florida State in a rematch after last year's upset, but DeBoer says it's about growth, not revenge. Alabama focuses on current season…
- Keywords: alabama, florida state, kalen deboer, crimson tide, college football, cfp, seattle, nfl, bryant-denny stadium, tuscaloosa, 2025, 2026
- Source: Alabama Crimson Tide On SI — https://si.com/college/alabama/football/everybody-knows-what-happened-inside-alabama-mindset-florida-state-rematch
- Published: 2026-09-16T11:00:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: alabama, florida state, kalen deboer, crimson tide, college football, cfp, seattle, nfl, bryant-denny stadium, tuscaloosa, 2025, 2026
## First Loss in 24 Years
Alabama's 2025 loss to Florida State was their first season opener defeat since 2001.
## Rapid Turnaround
Alabama won eight straight games, including four ranked matchups, becoming the fourth SEC team to do so.
## Media Questions
After the loss, media asked how Alabama had grown, what changed, and if the loss still impacted their College Football Playoff spot.
## DeBoer's Meeting
DeBoer intruded on a players-only meeting before Week 2 to 'bring that energy' after the loss.
## CFP Seed
Alabama earned a No. 9 CFP seed and beat 8-seed Oklahoma before losing to 1-seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
## Current Record
Alabama is now 2-0 (1-0 SEC) with wins over East Carolina and Kentucky.
## Rematch Date
Alabama hosts Florida State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
## DeBoer's View
DeBoer says this is the 2026 team and that last year's loss is a memory, not a current concern.
## Zabien Brown
Cornerback Zabien Brown says the team meeting was no different from any other game, focusing on current preparation.
## Revenge Debate
DeBoer emphasizes the game should be about improvement, not revenge, but some players may still think about last year.
## Channeling Energy
DeBoer says they channel last year's loss into preparation, not external noise, for this game.
## Happy Medium
Alabama balances remembering last year's loss with current season focus for the rematch.
## Key Takeaway
Alabama's focus is on current season preparation, not revenge, after their 2025 loss to Florida State.
## Key takeaway

Alabama focuses on current season preparation rather than revenge after their 2025 loss to Florida State.