Fox Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt believes something "clicked" for Alabama football during the Crimson Tide's 45-17 win over the Kentucky Wildcats last Saturday in Lexington.
Alabama (2-0), which is No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and faces unranked Florida State (1-1) in Week 4 of the 2026 college football season Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, overcame a 17-13 deficit and rushed for 150 yards against Kentucky after halftime.
As the defense strangled the Wildcats in the second half by forcing two punts, two fumbles and two turnovers on downs, Alabama's ground game came to life and rushed for 150 yards.
Daniel Hill ran for a career-high 104 yards. He and true freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown all rushed for touchdowns
as the Crimson Tide erupted for 32 unanswered points to blow past the Wildcats.
According to Klatt, Alabama's second half in Lexington was a noteworthy performance for two reasons.
"I feel like something clicked last week against Kentucky," Klatt said on the Thursday edition of his popular video podcast and FS1 program. "I know Bama fans were a bit anxious in that first half... but if you step back and you actually look at that game, what did you notice about this Bama team? Their defense is dominant. The defense really didn't give up much at all to Will Stein's group.
"And then something happened in that second half. Ryan Grubb stuck to the run game. Kalen DeBoer ran the football, and they ran it for over six (yards) a carry and 150 yards in an SEC game on the road. They buried Kentucky in the second half."
For Klatt, the veteran color commentator on Fox's weekly "Big Noon Saturday" games, that's a potential turning point for Alabama going forward.
Joel Klatt says Alabama win at Kentucky was confidence builder for Keelon Russell
"There are times as a team when you work really hard and you're emphasizing certain things and it just doesn't materialize on the field," Klatt said." But when it does, that is a huge moment for the confidence of your team and more specifically, for the confidence of a young quarterback."
Because of that, Klatt believes first-year starting quarterback and former five-star recruit Keelon Russell doesn't have to be "Superman" for Alabama's offense to work.
"Maybe he was trying to be that at times, but now he knows, like, 'Hold on. I can orchestrate the offense. I can run the offense. I know my defense is terrific. Maybe we can run the football a little bit.' And now (Russell's) ability can be showcased."
Russell committed three turnovers in the first half of Alabama's win at Kentucky, including a pick six thrown from his own 1-yard line on the Crimson Tide's opening series. He finished the day by completing 16 of his 23 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
"He's explosive as a runner," Klatt said of Russell. "He can throw the ball well. He throws it accurately. I like everything about Keelon Russell."
Could Alabama football face a letdown against Florida State?
After Alabama won a road game in the SEC behind such an emphatic second half response, Klatt rhetorically asked about the possibility of a letdown by the Crimson Tide in Saturday's game against FSU.
His answer was an emphatic no.
"(Alabama) lost to Florida State last year," Klatt recalled. "You don't think they're going to be motivated? I think they're going to be motivated."
Alabama football vs. Florida State: Joel Klatt's final score prediction for SEC opener
While noting the oddsmakers' 20.5-point spread, Klatt gave his final score prediction for Saturday's Alabama-Florida State matchup.
"Bama wins this one, 38-10. They cover (the spread). That one's an easy one for me. Again, they unlocked some things in that run game, so I like Bama."
Klatt was 6-5 when picking Alabama games last year. More recently, he correctly predicted the Crimson Tide would beat Kentucky in Week 2.
ESPN predicts the final score of Alabama football vs. Florida State
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) September 17, 2026
📸 David Leong, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/hcwFsPo6vm pic.twitter.com/bQ49mTSW7q
LSU vs. Ole Miss, Florida vs. Auburn and more college football Week 3 predictions from Joel Klatt
Here are other final score predictions from Klatt heading into Week 3's slate of games.
- LSU 28, Ole Miss 20
- Florida 20, Auburn 17
- Mississippi State 34, South Carolina 30
- Texas Tech 34, Houston 23
- SMU 31, Louisville 27
TV channel, announcers, kickoff time for Alabama vs Florida State
TV channel, commentators for Alabama football vs. Florida State
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) September 15, 2026
📸 Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/H3j9KETPBy pic.twitter.com/pZ3CgmZUqz
Kickoff for Alabama-Florida State in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season is 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will have the call of the game. Katie George will report from the sidelines.
Additionally, the Crimson Tide Sports Network feed of the game featuring Alabama radio voice Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts can be heard on SiriusXM channel 84 and The Varsity App.
Alabama football schedule 2026
All start times Central.
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina Pirates (W, 48-10)
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky Wildcats (W, 45-17)
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State Seminoles, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks, 6 p.m., ESPN
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State Bulldogs, early window
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Bulldogs, prime time
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee Volunteers, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M Aggies, TBA
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, TBA
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 2-0 overall, 1-0 SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Joel Klatt gives Alabama football vs Florida State score prediction
