Poll: VT - too close to call or Clemson redux?

[Nolan]

Our opener with the Hokies should be an instant classic. That much I'm sure of! What does everyone else think?

Is this game:

1. Too close to call - could go either way. VT is a good team and we will get their best shot. And personally, I would rather we lose early in the season (if we have to lose at all) and it's a non-conference game too.

2. It's tight, it's defense, it's each team trying to impose their will - and the Crimson Tide win a close one. Maybe we establish the run more effectively. It could be a game of attrition by way of turnovers, or our boys on defense may carry the day as the better unit.

3. We could suffer an early loss here... It's early in the season and that is sometimes good or bad for team chemistry - will Bama repeat last year's impressive open? Are we ready to do that with a new QB against the ACC champs who are, frankly, much better than the '08 Clemson team, IMO.

 

[Nolan]

77 days out and I've never been more ready for Bama football!

RTR :biggrin:

 

[CrimsonSEC]

Our opener with the Hokies should be an instant classic. That much I'm sure of! What does everyone else think?

Is this game:
1. Too close to call - could go either way. VT is a good team and we will get their best shot. And personally, I would rather we lose early in the season (if we have to lose at all) and it's a non-conference game too.

2. It's tight, it's defense, it's each team trying to impose their will - and the Crimson Tide win a close one. Maybe we establish the run more effectively. It could be a game of attrition by way of turnovers, or our boys on defense may carry the day as the better unit.

3. We could suffer an early loss here... It's early in the season and that is sometimes good or bad for team chemistry - will Bama repeat last year's impressive open? Are we ready to do that with a new QB against the ACC champs who are, frankly, much better than the '08 Clemson team, IMO.

Yes
1. Too close to call could go either way.
2. It's tight, it's defense, it's each team trying to impose their will
3. We could suffer an early loss here

 

[TideEngineer08]

At this point, it is too close to call, imo.

I believe we are the more talented team in most areas, just as we were last year against Clemson (even if we didn't really know it at the time). But we won't enjoy that big of a talent advantage and I believe that Virginia Tech is a much more difficult team to play than Clemson. Clemson was a soft team under Tommy Bowden and when they got hit, they laid down and quit. Virginia Tech won't do that. They'll fight back, and fight back hard. They are much better coached than Clemson was.

I think the potential is there for us to impose our will on them and win a tough game by a score in the neighborhood of 24-10. But I also believe this could go down to the wire and we cannot have turnovers or blocked kicks, and historically under Beamer, Tech specializes in both. It is true, however, that Tech has had some stumbles out of the gate of late. LSU destroyed them a couple of years ago, and East Carolina beat them last year. But I also remember Tech manhandled LSU in the first game of 2002, Nick Saban's 3rd year with LSU...

I believe we'll show up ready to play. And I like our chances if that's the case.

 

[crimson_blood]

VT will be much tougher and scrappier than Clemson...but not as fast. And they won't go away. Their defense will be a mile ahead of what Clemson brought to ATL last year.

 

[BAMAHD]

Taylor is no Tebow and if the offense can't pass the ball any better than it did last year the hokies could be in for a long night.

 

[Nolan]

I think we win a close one. It will be a real scrap, with both teams trying to establish the run, I think, and each defense proving stingy. I just think we are ahead in the defensive category, especially in stopping the run. I can't call the score, though. I'd be mildly surprised if it goes like last year's opener. Again, with all that said, I believe we pull out a big win (and the upset?) ..everywhere I've seen VT is ranked ahead of us pre-season. Still, we are the better team and that's my opinion!


RTR

 

[deliveryman35]

Tech is not Clemson--they are well-coached AND have tons of talent. It will be a close game.

 

[Alabama Slammer]

Taylor is no Tebow and if the offense can't pass the ball any better than it did last year the hokies could be in for a long night.

Its true that Taylor is no Tebow (and who is?) but VT does have a good running game.

I dont see this being the rout that the Clemson game was.

 

[capnfrog]

The turnovers are what worry me the most. I believe we have the best defense and possibly the best offense but there were times last year when special teams lacked. If the first game fumbles and blocked kicks start showing up then we could be in for a long night against VT. Like wise if VT puts the ball on the ground they could be in for a long night in hotlanta.

 

[Perk27]

I honestly don't think it will be as close as everybody else thinks it will. I don't see anyone being able to run the ball against our d they will become a 1 dimensional team and I think our offense will put enough points on the board to make it a pretty stress free night! I'm not predicting a blow out but I think we win handily.

 

[bamabryan]

VT is a much better team than the Clemson team Alabama faced last year, but I still expect Alabama to a win a pretty close game.

VT will have an excellent defense, but my biggest concern is we will start three new o-linemen and a QB starting his first game. VT's offense does not strike any fear in me. I don't see them being able to run the ball on Alabama's defense and I don't see Taylor being able to beat us with his arm.

The final score may be 3-2, but I expect Alabama to win.

 

[nathan]

I was gonna type something but bamabryan summed up my thoughts better than I would've. I'll be shocked if Ingram can't punch it in at least once though (it will scare me if our run game is completely shut down).

 

[bonehouse81]

Having a new QB and a rebuilt OL playing their first game may be the difference in this one.

If this game were midway through the season, I say Bama wins, but my gut's saying we drop a close one.

I'll say Tech 16, Bama 13.

 

[bamabryan]

Having a new QB and a rebuilt OL playing their first game may be the difference in this one.

If this game were midway through the season, I say Bama wins, but my gut's saying we drop a close one.

I'll say Tech 16, Bama 13.

O ye of little faith.

 

[SouthHSV]

I think most people are giving Va. Tech and the ACC to much credit.

 

[fishiy4]

My feel for this game is Bama comes out quick hard and fast and VT gets a little off balance and cant sustain much except punting the ball Bama 34 VT 10 if Bama gives them a couple of turnovers and helps them out just dont think this is going to be a good year for VT.:BigA:

 

[GrayTide]

Tech is not Clemson--they are well-coached AND have tons of talent. It will be a close game.

I agree with dman. One key to this game is that Frank Beamer is no Tommy Bowden. In spite of Taylor's experience I would give us the edge at QB. The other key will be our O line. If they step up early and give McElroy time to throw then we should win in a close game, if they resemble the O line from the Sugar Bowl we will not be so lucky.

 

[tftplisa]

I see us winning comfortably. The coaching staff has had a long time to gameplan for this game and looking at the schedule they realize its importance.
The O-line will be able to block for Ingram and Richardson even before becoming efficient at pass blocking. VT will be made one dimensional and force some turnovers by Tyrod. I have a feeling that a pass rush specialist will emerge and it may be Hightower. McElroy will play well enough to hit a few to Julio, Peek and Maze and we'll come out with a nice victory.

 

[CullmanTide]

17-7 Bama.