Sam Avellone
Both Alabama and Florida State had disappointing seasons to varying degrees in 2024. The Tide were a good team, but barely missed the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, the Seminoles won only 2 games after just missing the playoffs in favor of Alabama in 2023. Of course, there has been ample roster turnover since the controversial 2023 playoff selection involving these programs, including the departure of Nick Saban, but that playoff snub is still fresh on the minds of the Florida State faithful – I promise you that.
Florida State’s newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium is going to be electric on Saturday when the Tide come to town. To celebrate the clash of a couple of the biggest brands in college football, I’ve assembled a 3-leg Alabama vs Florida State same game parlay consisting of a few of my favorite player props. Let’s get into the parlay picks, and then you can get to the rest of our college football predictions for the massive Week 1 slate.
Germie Bernard (ALA) over 3.5 receptions (-115)
Ryan Williams (ALA) longest reception over 28.5 yards (-118)
Ty Simpson (ALA) anytime TD (+165)
Alabama vs Florida State Same Game Parlay odds: +745
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Germie Bernard (ALA) over 3.5 receptions (-115)
Germie Bernard was one of the focal points of the passing attack last season, hauling in at least 4 passes 9 different times. Moreover, he had at least 6 targets in each of those 9 games, and the senior wideout will certainly remain a staple of this passing attack with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb now at the helm for the Tide. Grubb was the OC for Washington when the Huskies reached the semifinal in 2023, and Bernard was productive on that team as a sophomore surrounded by receivers that now play in the NFL – catching 34 passes for 419 yards.
Look for Grubb to find ways to get the ball out of Ty Simpson’s hands as quickly as possible early in this game, with Bernard being one of the primary beneficiaries against a completely overhauled Florida State secondary.
Find our full Alabama vs Florida State predictions, including picks on the side and total
Ryan Williams (ALA) longest reception over 28.5 yards (-118)
Another way to attack the new-look Seminole secondary is with Ryan Williams. The dynamic sophomore figures to take a step forward this season after accumulating 865 yards and 8 touchdowns on 48 receptions as a true freshman. Simply put, he’s an elite down-field threat that is capable of turning a basic 15-yard out-route into a 55-yard touchdown at any moment. Per PFF, he was top 10 in the SEC in yards after catch per reception last year, as well as top 30 nationally.
Williams has a great matchup against this Florida State defense. Only 2 of the projected starters in Florida State’s secondary played more than 100 snaps last year, and 1 of them wasn’t even with the program then. Needless to say, this group lacks chemistry and adequate playing experience. Not to mention the fact that 4 of the 5 projected starters in the secondary yielded at least 14 yards per reception last year. Big plays will be had against this unit, specifically from Williams — whose longest reception measured at least 43 yards in 5 straight games to start last season.
Ty Simpson (ALA) anytime TD (+165)
Alabama’s starting running back Jam Miller will miss the early part of the season, which is going to free up goal line carries for the rest of the offense. Targeting Richard Young or Daniel Hill makes sense, but Ty Simpson’s touchdown odds are so much better than either of them given what he may bring to the table as a runner. Simpson hasn’t gotten much playing time since arriving in Tuscaloosa, but in the limited action he’s seen, he’s showcased a sneaky ability to roll outside the pocket and find hidden yards – or even the end zone – with his legs. While he’s not Jalen Milroe, he’s certainly not a statue, either.
For what it’s worth, he’s scored 3 rushing touchdowns on 22 total carries in garbage time since the start of the 2023 season. Even more interesting is the fact that he rushed for a touchdown in each of Alabama’s last 2 Week 1 contests. Now solidified as the Tide’s starting quarterback, look for Simpson to be active as a runner in the red zone against the Seminoles – maybe even more so this week without Miller in the lineup.
Now check out our Texas vs Ohio State Same Game Parlay picks for Saturday’s HUGE showdown
