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

[Nolan]

As I posted earlier I think it will be not only our defense that wins it for us but our ability to run the ball. We will still be a physical team, no matter what turnover there is on the O-line. I truly believe that and think we can expect that mind frame from here on out.

VT has a great defense and Mac may struggle but it will be the running game that ekes this one out - a tight contest - too tight for me to say. Not a blowout.

 

[J.Will]

I'm all for giving the opposing team respect, BUT I think we wax them. I think we lay an Elmer's beat down upon them. This isn't the game we slip up.

 

[TommyMac]

This will be a matchup of two very good defenses, therefore I expect a close, very physical, hard hitting, old school type of game.

As I've stated on other threads, I'm not too worried about GMac or our O-line, they'll be ready and I think they'll be good enough to get the job done. It'll be a struggle, but I have faith that Coach Mac will find a way. :BigA:

As for defense, I just don't think anybody is going to mount much of a running game against us and I don't see anybody making a living against us without having a balanced attack.

 

[2003TIDE]

When we stuff the run and Tyrod has to throw the ball, it's going to be hard for VT to do anything offensively. We'll see how our offense stacks up against their D. I think we'll win by 10.

 

[bayoutider]

Turnovers is my biggest concern. Ingram holds onto the ball, so does Julio but VT attacks the ball very well. I think we are better on kick and punt returns and I think our kicking game is better so I think we will win special teams. On paper I think we win with superior talent and possibly a little more depth, on the field anything can happen.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Turnovers is my biggest concern. Ingram holds onto the ball, so does Julio but VT attacks the ball very well. I think we are better on kick and punt returns and I think our kicking game is better so I think we will win special teams. On paper I think we win with superior talent and possibly a little more depth, on the field anything can happen.

This is my concern as well. And also, just our mental attitude. I don't see us coming into this game like we did the Sugar Bowl, but if we do, we'll be in trouble to say the least.

If we show up hungry like I believe we will, and take care of the ball, I believe we win. I believe we're the better team, with more talent and better coaches but not by much, IMO.

 

[CHATTBRIT]

I have nothing to back up my feeling that Greg McElroy will be a big surprise (in a very positive way) for the Tide and will do very well as starter for the next couple of years. He's had a couple of years to learn under Saban's staff without the pressure of having to perform. He's going into his third year in the system and he's ready to put what he has learned into practice.

Only time will tell, but I think we win. No score predictions, just a W


RTR

 

[Tidewater]

When we stuff the run and Tyrod has to throw the ball, it's going to be hard for VT to do anything offensively.

I expect great D.
Taylor's season stats:
Name....GP-GS...Eff.....Com-Att-Int...Pct....Yards..TDs..Long..YPG
Taylor...12-10...103.3..99-173-7.......57.2...1036...2.....40.....86.3

He may blossom into a truly great QB. He is screaming fast, and shifty.
7 Ints against 2 TDs, and 86 passing yards per game, however, make me feel that he is not exactly the second coming of MV.

 

[bayoutider]

This is my concern as well. And also, just our mental attitude. I don't see us coming into this game like we did the Sugar Bowl, but if we do, we'll be in trouble to say the least.

If we show up hungry like I believe we will, and take care of the ball, I believe we win. I believe we're the better team, with more talent and better coaches but not by much, IMO.

We definitely don't need our players going into the game feeling like they own the Georgia Dome and it's just another ACC team. I hope they are hungry to start a new undefeated season streak. Best way to put a loss behind you is with a big win.

VT has eight 10 or more win seasons over the last ten years and five top 10 finishes. You have to respect that. They can be beat but they can beat you as well.

 

[TideEngineer08]

We definitely don't need our players going into the game feeling like they own the Georgia Dome and it's just another ACC team. I hope they are hungry to start a new undefeated season streak. Best way to put a loss behind you is with a big win.

VT has eight 10 or more win seasons over the last ten years and five top 10 finishes. You have to respect that. They can be beat but they can beat you as well.

Agreed wholeheartedly. The team should be as hungry as they ever have been. We won no championship last year whatsoever. Unless you want to count the state championship or the West division. Those are worthy accomplishments no doubt, but when the big prize was on the line, we lost.

I suspect we'll have a hungry team this year.

 

[VTimHokie85]

Aw, come on, Hokie! Don't be coming on here and getting your own guy's name wrong! Didn't you mean Kevin Jones? :wink:

yea it was a late nite

 

[time_4_the_TIDE]

Bottom line....depends on the O-line play. If they have a good game it could be just like Clemson last yr. Although I think Beamer is a lot better coach than Bowden and VT will definately be ready to play. I just dont see logically how they win. We will have the #1 or #2 ranked D in the country this yr returning 9 starters and adding a couple of red-shirts from last yr that are just FLAT OUT scary(Jerrell Harris for one). Tyrod is no MV and from what I saw of him last yr he is an avg spread QB, has wheels but the vision to throw the ball is lacking badly. And I guarantee he will have to throw the ball against us cause VT's little RB duo will be put on LOCK DOWN. And I cant wait for Tyrod to turn the corner and meet Mark Barron for the first time, I bet he gets up not wanting to do that again and thinking about it everytime he scrambles after it happens. Barron is going to make every1 forget who Eric Berry is. But just for the fact that Beamer is the coach I think it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 24-10 BAMA, and if the O-line is good to go and McAttk gets hot well it will just be down right UGLY and the ACC's posterchild will go home with a big black eye and embarrased by the SEC once again. ROLL TIDE!!!! I wish it was FB time right now!!!!

 

[BAMA504]

Not sure how to call this one, most people have weighed in and think we will beat them..... Me I have to wait and see how our OL comes together we have 3 spots that are not for sure, no TE's yet for sure and the RB spot as much as everyone wants to crown TR the next Heisman has never carried the FB in the college game and our back-up had neck surgery and not much else behind him other than a too light T. Grant so I have a ton of concern going into this game and I refuse to think that just because we are an SEC team that VT is going to fold, this is one of the best teams from that conference and their defense usually plays lights out and going up against what could easily be 3 guys on our OL who never played and SEC game or have played but very little scares the crap out of me............

I do think GM is a better QB than JPW, maybe not as strong armed but way better touch and the main thing I noticed was his check down ability which is something we have not seen in a few years... GM does make the reads and has a great touch but it all goes back to the big uglies can they hold their ground long enough for that to happen??? I do beleive they will be able to run block very well because it is the easiest to teach and perform but we will not be able to run it down VT's throat all night so the HUGE ??? is can we pass block long enough for JJ or Maze to do their thing ~?~

On the other side of the ball our run defense well I cannot find a chink in the armor in the front 7 we should be just down right nasty in defending the run the scary part is the secondary again, I know JA is good and KJ is decent but he gets turned around way way too much and there will be no R. J. to cover his mistake..... I do think it helps that VT's QB is not really a true passer and while he is fast he should be running for his life all night but if we screw up the coverage he could easily make us look silly....... I hope Dre comes along this fall and my concerns might just melt away because VT does not have a WR who can beat JA and if DRE can get on there we will have 2 lock down CB's out there which will open up the blitz package full bore........

No score guess all I can hope for is a BAMA win and I will take it no matter what the score is~!~

 

[TommyMac]

it will just be down right UGLY and the ACC's posterchild will go home with a big black eye and embarrased by the SEC once again. ROLL TIDE!!!! I wish it was FB time right now!![/QUOTE]

It won't be quite that easy, this ain't Climpson, these guys won't roll over then we hit them in the mouth, they'll fight back. Last time we played them, they kicked our butts 38-6 and just 2 years ago, they routed LSU 48-7, that LSU team went on to win the NC.

 

[REBELZED]

Last time we played them, they kicked our butts 38-6 and just 2 years ago, they routed LSU 48-7, that LSU team went on to win the NC.

Actually LSU put the whipping on them...

 

[derek4tide]

VPI - 10

Bama - 28

 

[derek4tide]

Actually LSU put the whipping on them...

Yep, 48-7 LSU.

LSU had a 24-0 lead after the first 18 minutes and outgained Tech 327-40 in the first half—a week after its 45-0 dismantling of Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi State.

No. 2 LSU dominates again in 48-7 victory over No. 9 Virginia Tech - College Football - Rivals.com

 

[TideEngineer08]

Actually LSU put the whipping on them...

Yep, TommyMac, you maybe thinking of the 2002 Virginia Tech/LSU game which was in Blacksburg.

Tech won, something like 26-3.

 

[Tidewater]

Actually LSU put the whipping on them...

True.
The last time VT faced Alabama, it was flat ugly, 38-7
The last time Coach Saban coached against VT (2002), Tech whooped LSU 26-8.
I would estimate that Coach Saban's motivation level is higher than normal for this game.

 

[bayoutider]

I'm sure VT would like to improve some of these records.

vs Alabama 1 win 10 losses

vs SEC Teams 26 wins 49 losses 5 ties

Team Ranking (VT) #10 from 2000-2008 up from #19 the previous decade.

Most points scored against VT in a single game - #1 is 1973 vs Alabama 77-6. Bama shows up twice more in there top 15 list of shame 1972 52-13 & 1970 51-18

Interesting tid-bit - Alabama is the only SEC team Virginia Tech has beat in a Bowl Game.

AL VT
1st Downs 15 15
Total Yards 274 288
Passing Yards 224 71
Rushing Yards 50 207
Penalties 10–94 5–31
Turnovers 4 1
Time of Possession 36:17 23:43

The game was lost on turnovers and penalties.