Alabama, Florida State Pregame in Lightning Delay: Weather Updates

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 10 Alabama football and Florida State are in a lightning delay.

The announcement came a little over an hour before kickoff, as warmups were suspended. Lightning struck within eight miles of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff was scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT, but a change was not mentioned in the initial announcement.

Fans were told they could remain in the stadium. The field was cleared, and all players were sent back to the locker room. It was not raining in the stadium when the announcement was made.

Per UA Safety: Lightning has been detected in the campus area. Please proceed immediately to the nearest designated shelters: Autherine Lucy, Drummond Lyon and Lloyd Halls near the Quad. Stadium gates are also open to ticketholders.

Follow along, as this story will be updated with more weather news. Be sure to refresh your browser, as the most recent information will be placed below this paragraph.

Weather Updates

2:30 p.m.: Lightning strike No. 5 — 3 p.m. is now the earliest start time for warmups. The crowd groaned as the announcement was read. Warmups are expected to only be 10 minutes whenever it resumes. The ABC broadcast said it could be a while until kickoff.

2:19 p.m.: Resetting the clock again after another lightning strike was detected. Earliest time to begin warmups is now 2:49 p.m. — four minutes past the original kickoff time.

2:10 p.m.: Another 30-minute delay has been announced. However, there's no rain, and while some fans are seeking shelter, many others are headed back to their seats.

2:02 p.m.: Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack check out Saban Field. DeBoer will be wearing his signature black hoodie during this afternoon's game.

Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack just came out to check field conditions and talk with stadium officials pic.twitter.com/JfUYICHlr1
— Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) September 19, 2026

2 p.m.: Lightning strikes within eight miles once again, meaning there's an additional 30 minutes of a delay.

1:50 p.m. CT: Rain starts to fall at Bryant-Denny Stadium and fans hit the exits. The students haven't moved. The rain stopped after a few minutes.

It’s started pouring at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Lightning was detected within eight miles of the stadium and the game is now under a lightning delay. Follow to stay up to date with the situation. pic.twitter.com/vjznGsdv1A
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) September 19, 2026

How to Watch: Alabama vs. Florida State

Who: Florida State (1-1, 0-1 ACC) at No. 10 Alabama (2-0, 1-0 SEC)

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV: ABC

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts, Sideline: Damion Square, Host: Roger Hoover)

SiriusXM: Alabama – 84; Florida State – 269

All-Time Series: Alabama leads 3-2-1, with the first matchup occurring on Oct. 23, 1965. Neither Alabama nor the Seminoles has won back-to-back games against each other. This year's meeting will be the first in Tuscaloosa since 1974.

Last Meeting: Florida State upset Alabama 31-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025, which was the Crimson Tide's first season-opening loss since 2001. It was Ty Simpson's first career start as Alabama's quarterback, and after a 17-play opening drive that ended in a touchdown, he and the rest of the offense went cold. Defensively, Alabama allowed 230 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 49 attempts. FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos finished with 152 passing yards, 78 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

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