So we all know that Bama's defense will be tough for every team to deal with that we play next year & Va Tech will be no different in that aspect, but I wanted to bring some info to light to y'all about VT & these are FACTS:

Only 8 of 120 Division I teams had worse passing attacks.

Over the past two seasons, Tech has given up a Division I FBS-high 97 sacks.

While Darren Evans had a brilliant freshman year with 1,265 yards, the bigger issue with the offense was gaining the trust of the staff. Consider how often Tech was afraid to throw the ball, even on third down. Incredibly, when faced with third down and at least 7 yards, the Hokies had more rushing attempts (53) than passing (45). Not surprisingly, they converted just 11 of their 53 rushing attempts (20.8 percent) and just 22.5 percent of their attempts on third-and-7 or longer, the third-worst in the ACC. They even ran the ball 30 times on third-and-10 or longer, converting just a handful.

As defenses adjusted to the VT attack, Tyrod Taylor struggled. Each quarter of each game, he got worse.

So how did Tech manage a 10-4 record and an Orange Bowl win? Well, even though the offense notched only 22.1 points per game, the Hokies were and are going to be an exceptional running team. The Hokies' first- and second-down running was good enough to set them up for third-and-short opportunities. They had the most attempts (44) of third-and-2 or less in the ACC.

Now remember we were a top 5 rushing defense & we return 9 starters. As bad as they're passing offense was last year, the highest ranked defense they played in the ACC was about 34th (Miami).

They will all be a year older & wiser & so will a lot of Bama's run stuffers

Now to their defense:

Tech returns a wealth of talent to a defense that was already the best in the conference.

Last year VT gave up 16.7 points per game, the most it has given up in years.

This is a unit that had enough burst for 35 sacks last year (actually a fall from the 47 the team had in 2007).

Tech gave up 104 yards per game on the ground last year, the most since 2004.

They are reloading in the front 7 & trying to mask depth problems.

I personally think our strengths set up really really well. Bama should be able to throw enough at Taylor & the group of young skill players to confuse them & cause some turnovers & then just pound pound pound the rock. It will be tough I feel like for McElroy to have a GREAT game through the air. This is easily the best secondary we'll see this year. I STILL don't think there's a single DB that can cover Julio though. I just was way less than impressed with their offense last year & the struggles they had last year seemed to begin at the OL & that doesn't spell good news when you're facing easily the most talented 2 deep 3-4 front 7.

Is it September yet? LoL I'm sooo ready

Thanks for the facts and assessment bucwild. I've never quite understood the infatuation people have with Tyrod. He's a great athlete, but not such a good QB and very stoppable. Should be a great match-up!

There is no way VT can muster enough offense against Bama's defense to win.

I didn't think Utah could muster enough offense against our D either.

Since this is a cautiously optimistic thread about Bama's chances against an opponent, I was wondering how many posts til someone brought up Utah. Answer: 3.
Yes, we thought we would beat Utah and yes we lost. But we also thought we would beat Auburn and won that one 36-0. The reason we lost to Utah is that the team was really let down after the SECCG and being 1 quarter away from playing for a National Championship. We didn't get up for playing Utah b/c there was really nothing of significance gained by winning that game (nothing really at stake). The VT game on the other hand...trust me, the team will be up for it (the way they were against Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, etc...).

Here's a little tip: bringing up the Utah game when someone predicts a Bama victory doesn't make you clever.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sarcastro,

ok here's ANOTHER fact for you (concerning UTAH WTF!?)

Last year Tyrod Taylor threw for 1036 yds, the whole teams TOTAL yards passing was 1807

Brian Johnson (Utah) threw for 2972 yds, the team's total passing yds was 3178

HUGE difference don't you think? Sarcastro's right. This will be a TOTALLY different team than last year's so let's let the past stay in the past

(P.S. Utah DID play in the MWC, but they were still one of the nation's top offenses & for anyone to think they wouldn't score at least a little bit was ludicrous to me, but that's the past you can't dwell on the past, especially as bright as our future is at Bama)

IMHO, the only people bringing up Utah are rival fans trying to mess with our psyche. Everybody knows Utah would have beat the **** out of Auburn last year had they played. Alabama will be prepared for Virginia Tech and I look forward to a big time game.

Nice post, bucwild.

Biggest danger I see with VT is Tyrod showing pass and then taking off and running for first downs through lanes between pass rushers. Containing him in third down situations is the key to making them punt.

quote:

Originally posted by #1RammerJammer:
IMHO, the only people bringing up Utah are rival fans trying to mess with our psyche. Everybody knows Utah would have beat the **** out of Auburn last year had they played. Alabama will be prepared for Virginia Tech and I look forward to a big time game.

Or a long-time Bama fan from the the Musso days that thinks we need to see VT as the real threat that they are.

quote:

Originally posted by bucwildbammer:
ok here's ANOTHER fact for you (concerning UTAH WTF!?)

Last year Tyrod Taylor threw for 1036 yds, the whole teams TOTAL yards passing was 1807

Brian Johnson (Utah) threw for 2972 yds, the team's total passing yds was 3178

HUGE difference don't you think? Sarcastro's right. This will be a TOTALLY different team than last year's so let's let the past stay in the past

(P.S. Utah DID play in the MWC, but they were still one of the nation's top offenses & for anyone to think they wouldn't score at least a little bit was ludicrous to me, but that's the past you can't dwell on the past, especially as bright as our future is at Bama)

If all that makes you feel better about the game then that's great. I personally don't think they should have been on the same field as us. We weren't prepared mentally. I hope we come out against VT the same way as we did with Clemson. I would prefer to be the underdog but those days are over. I do remember VT putting a whipping on us in Nashville several years back and this Frank Beamer team will come prepared.

quote:

Originally posted by Sho'nuff:

quote:

Originally posted by #1RammerJammer:
IMHO, the only people bringing up Utah are rival fans trying to mess with our psyche. Everybody knows Utah would have beat the **** out of Auburn last year had they played. Alabama will be prepared for Virginia Tech and I look forward to a big time game.

Or a long-time Bama fan from the the Musso days that thinks we need to see VT as the real threat that they are.

When did anyone say they aren't a real threat ? VT is a top 10 team. Anyone thinking otherwise is ignorant.

About 45 years ago, I can remember when Alabama, the preseason #1 team in the nation opened their season against Southern Miss. The Eagles took us to the woodshed and beat our butts in the upset of the year.

That only proved that on a given saturday, anyone can pull off the upset.

The Utah loss was a prime example of our team thinking that we were too good to lose to a team from the mountain west, and we got our clock cleaned.

Our opponents in 2009 are going to "come to play", and they could sneak up and smack us in them mouth. Any of them!

Lets hope that our coaches can teach our guys to not get too full of themselves, and just play the games to the best of their abilities. If we can do that, we can win them all.

For the last couple of months, no one has been able to make an optimisitic pediction about any of Bama's games next season without someone chiming in "that's what I thought about Utah". I realize that there is no such thing as a sure win, but also realize that just because I pick Bama to win doesn't mean that I'm not taking the opponent seriously. As for the Utah game, it was the last game we played for goodness sake, I remember it quite well and I doubt anyone on this forum needs a reminder.

Sorry I hijacked your thread bucwild.

quote:

Originally posted by Sho'nuff:
I didn't think Utah could muster enough offense against our D either.

This year we're catching heat from our rivals for a loss to Utah. Huge upgrade from La. Monroe. Hope that they don't have a loss to point to next year.

bama boss???????????.....You must have some reference book I dont have...45 years agoo...
1964...Bama was 11-0 (I think..but undeafted)..
1963...losses to Fl and AU..
1965..losses to GA (illegal play)..and tie with TN..
1990 USM won...but we werent ranked #1...stalling first game..
as a matter of fact..cant find it in my books...
But I agree with your premise though