(Photo credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

CHARLOTTE -- New Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos made the most of the talking season that is college football's summer tradition.

In an interview with On3 in June, Castellanos talked boldly about FSU's season-opening matchup against Alabama, saying, 'They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me.'

Those strong words inspired some attention in Tuscaloosa and led to plenty of questions for the FSU quarterback Wednesday at ACC Kickoff ahead of the Aug. 30 matchup with the Crimson Tide in Tallahassee.

'We stand on what I said,' Castellanos said. 'There's no disrespect (towards) that team or anything like that. It's just the confidence that I have in my teammates and the way we've been preparing and putting this preparation together this offseason.'

Castellanos transferred to FSU after spending the prior two seasons at Boston College. In 2023, the dual-threat QB was a sensation at BC with 2,248 passing yards, 1,113 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns (15 passing, 13 rushing). In 2024, he didn't adapt especially well to a new offensive scheme and left the team midway through the season after he was removed as the starter.

Now Castellanos is tasked with providing a spark to an FSU team that struggled mightily in 2024, limping to a 2-10 record that was the program's worst since 1974.

'Being a part of Florida State is a dream come true,' Castellanos said.

--Miller Moss excited to start at Louisville after bowl breakout vs. Cardinals

The best football game of Miller Moss' career to date was a Louisville game. He just happened to be playing for the other team.

The then-USC quarterback made his first career start in the 2023 Holiday Bowl vs. Louisville, throwing for six touchdowns and 372 yards. Moss is expected to be Louisville's starting quarterback in 2025 after spending the past four seasons with the Trojans.

'It's kind of a random coincidence or full-circle moment, whatever you want to call it,' Moss said. 'Fans will come up and say stuff to me (about the Holiday Bowl). I'll just let them know that we're going to make up for it this year.'

Moss got the first extensive playing time of his career in 2024, playing in nine games and throwing for 2,555 yards and 18 touchdowns. He'll now be tasked with following Tyler Shough, who was drafted 40th overall in this year's NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints after a one-year Louisville career.

--Georgia Tech out for respect in the ACC

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key didn't beat around the bush. He believes his team has been underappreciated the last two years in the ACC.

In Key's first full season at GT in 2023, the Yellow Jackets were picked 12th in the ACC and finished fourth. In 2024, they were picked ninth and finished tied for fourth.

With quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes back after strong 2024 seasons, that respect could come from ACC voters this year.

Key knows that's not what matters at the end of the day.

'We've got a great opportunity in front of us. We really do,' Key said. 'It's not about other people's expectations that matter. The only expectations that matter are ours.'

--Curt Weiler, Field Level Media