Why Kalen DeBoer expects fast start for Alabama vs Florida State

Alabama football plans to use the Kentucky team to set the tone for the remainder of its 2026 season.

In his weekly "Hey Coach" Crimson Tide Sports Network radio show, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said the Wildcats helped Alabama realize "it isn't always going to be perfect." The introduction for SEC play — a 45-17 win against Kentucky — was textbook evidence of the resiliency and a team "built for the long haul."

But that is not what DeBoer is focused on heading into Week 3 against Florida State .

"We're going to dig a little deeper," DeBoer said. "I think our team truly believes and one of the things we talk about is as the game goes on, we will continue to get better. We want to be great going in."

Through two games, Alabama has scored 17 total points in the first quarter. But DeBoer is expecting a faster start, especially against a Florida State team the Crimson Tide opened the 2025 season against and lost.

"As our coaches get more and more information. and our players continue as we have more film each and every week of our opponent, I think they will be even more comfortable and you'll see even faster starts from our guys playing fast, knowing what to expect from their opponent," DeBoer said. "I'm looking forward to the next steps we take this week, really challenging our guys to come out, especially in Bryant-Denny Stadium and make some plays right away. Play confident. Play fast."

Alabama kicks off against Florida State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 on ABC.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews .