The face of a man that knows how to beat Alabama is not just a smile caught on camera or a fleeting moment of celebration after the final whistle; it is the image of a coach who has long understood what it takes to stare down one of college football’s most dominant programs and come away victorious. Gus Malzahn, the former Auburn head coach and now the offensive coordinator for Florida State, once again showed that he knows how to devise a plan capable of toppling the Crimson Tide, this time on the national stage as the Seminoles stunned Alabama in their season-opening clash. For Florida State fans, the win represented much more than a strong start to the year; it was a statement of intent, a message that the Seminoles are back in the conversation among elite programs, and a reassurance that hiring a coach with a track record of frustrating Nick Saban’s dynasty was the right move. For Alabama fans, it was another reminder that Malzahn’s schemes, particularly when given time to prepare, remain some of the most uniquely difficult puzzles to solve in college football.
To fully appreciate the magnitude of this victory, one has to revisit the story of Gus Malzahn’s career and his history with Alabama. As Auburn’s head coach from 2013 to 2020, Malzahn developed a reputation for being one of the few coaches who could consistently challenge Alabama in the Iron Bowl. His offensive creativity, willingness to adapt, and ability to exploit even the smallest weaknesses made him a thorn in the side of Nick Saban’s otherwise dominant reign in Tuscaloosa. Few will forget the legendary “Kick Six” in 2013, when Auburn stunned Alabama in one of the most unforgettable plays in the history of college football. Malzahn’s Auburn teams would go on to claim multiple victories over the Tide, something that many coaches in the SEC struggled to achieve. While his tenure with Auburn eventually came to an end, his record against Alabama cemented his status as a coach who not only respected the challenge of facing Saban but also relished it.
Now at Florida State, Malzahn has been entrusted with guiding an offense that was already full of talent and promise. In the offseason, there were questions about how quickly he could put his stamp on the program, whether the players would adapt to his fast-paced style, and if he could replicate the same success outside the SEC. The Alabama game provided the perfect proving ground. With the nation watching, Malzahn and the Seminoles put on a display that was both disciplined and explosive. The offensive game plan mixed tempo, misdirection, and calculated risks that kept Alabama’s defense guessing. Quarterback execution, precision in the running game, and timely play-calling all worked in harmony to produce an outcome that many pundits didn’t see coming.
What made the win so striking wasn’t just the final score but the way Florida State carried themselves. They didn’t appear intimidated by Alabama’s size, speed, or reputation. They looked like a team that had been coached to believe they could win and that had been given a game plan that could actually make it happen. Gus Malzahn’s fingerprints were all over the performance. His signature no-huddle bursts, creative use of motion, and perfectly timed deep shots disrupted Alabama’s rhythm and forced the Tide to play on their heels. It was as if the Seminoles had borrowed a page from Auburn’s playbook during Malzahn’s heyday, and once again, Saban was left searching for answers against a familiar adversary.
For Florida State fans, the joy was twofold. First, beating Alabama on a national stage is always a cause for celebration. The Tide have become the measuring stick for greatness in the sport, and to take them down is to prove that your program belongs among the elite. Second, the win was a validation of the decision to bring Gus Malzahn into the fold. Coaching hires are often gambles, and while Malzahn’s track record spoke for itself, every new stop is an opportunity for critics to question whether past success can translate. This game answered those doubts emphatically.
For Alabama, the loss will sting not only because it dents their aspirations early in the season but also because it adds to the lore of Malzahn’s ability to best them. Nick Saban has dominated nearly every rival coach he has faced in his career, but Malzahn has always been an exception. The look on Malzahn’s face after the victory said it all—calm, composed, and quietly confident. It was the look of a man who has been here before, a man who has spent years crafting game plans designed to frustrate the Tide, and a man who knows that beating Alabama is not about luck but about preparation, execution, and belief.
This moment also holds broader implications for the college football landscape. Florida State, long a powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s, has been searching for a way back to the national spotlight. Rebuilding programs is never easy, and even talented rosters need the right coaching minds to bring everything together. The addition of Malzahn as offensive coordinator has clearly accelerated that process. If the Seminoles can build on this momentum, they could find themselves not only competing for conference titles but also making legitimate pushes for the College Football Playoff. A win over Alabama has a way of changing the perception of a program overnight, and for recruits, boosters, and fans, this victory signals that Florida State is a destination where winning big games is possible again.
The face of Gus Malzahn after the win is more than just a snapshot for social media; it’s a symbol of resilience and reinvention. Here is a coach who was dismissed from Auburn despite his success, who could have faded into the background of the sport, but instead has found a way to remain relevant and impactful. His journey is a reminder that in college football, the story is never truly over, and sometimes, the right opportunity can bring out the very best in a coach. For Malzahn, that opportunity now lies with Florida State, and his ability to once again beat Alabama shows that his knowledge, strategy, and competitive fire are as sharp as ever.
As fans process this victory, it invites reflection on the nature of college football rivalries and legends. Beating Alabama carries weight not only because of what it means in the standings but also because of what it represents symbolically. Alabama has come to embody sustained excellence, the gold standard of the sport, and every victory against them adds to the mythology of the game. Malzahn’s face, calm but triumphant, captures the essence of that mythology—a reminder that no dynasty is invincible and that innovation can always create new paths to victory.
This game will be remembered not just as a Florida State win but as another chapter in the ongoing chess match between Gus Malzahn and Nick Saban. Their careers have been intertwined for over a decade, and while Saban has won the majority of those battles, Malzahn has claimed enough victories to be remembered as one of his most formidable challengers. To bring that rivalry into the context of Florida State and Alabama only adds another layer of intrigue. It is rare in college football for coaching rivalries to transcend programs, but in this case, Malzahn’s ability to topple Alabama seems to follow him wherever he goes.
For those reading and reliving the excitement of this game, it’s worth considering what it means for the rest of the season. Can Florida State keep this level of performance going? Will Alabama bounce back stronger, as they so often do? And what role will Malzahn play in shaping the Seminoles’ identity as they move forward? The beauty of college football is that every game is part of a larger narrative, and this one has set the stage for months of speculation, anticipation, and debate.
I’d love to hear what you think about this monumental victory. Do you believe Gus Malzahn’s presence makes Florida State a legitimate contender this season? Was this game more about Florida State being excellent or Alabama failing to execute? How does this win change your perception of both programs going forward? College football thrives on the energy and opinions of its fans, and this is the kind of moment that deserves conversation. Share your thoughts, your excitement, your concerns, or even your predictions for what happens next. The face of Gus Malzahn after this win is the face of a man who knows how to beat Alabama, but the story doesn’t end here—it continues with the voices of everyone who loves the game.
