Alabama vs. Virginia Tech: Three Keys to A Tide Victory
Aug 1, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A motivational image is displayed in a hallway of the Alabama Crimson Tide Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports
The Alabama Crimson Tide kicks off the 2013 season heading to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome once again for the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Alabama played Virginia Tech here in 2009, en route to Alabama’s undefeated national championship season. Alabama is also coming off its second straight national championship, while Virginia Tech is coming off a 7-6 season ending in a Russell Athletics Bowl win over Rutgers.
Despite a rough 2012 many felt that older, more experienced Hokie quarterback Logan Thomas and a tough defense could help bring Tech back up. But a rash of injuries, suspensions and players leaving the program may further hamper that attempt at progress. There are three big keys to victory in this one for the Tide.
Putting heat on Thomas
Logan Thomas is unquestionably Tech’s leader on offense and he accounted for 71 percent of Virginia Tech’s offense, gaining 3,500 total yards (2,976 passing yards, 524 rushing yards). Thomas led the team in both passing and rushing yardage, and had 18 passing TDs and nine rushing TDs. He also threw 16 interceptions however. Thomas continued to struggle with decision-making and turnovers in the spring, and that is certainly going to be a point of emphasis for the Alabama defense.
Virginia Tech’s already thin offensive line has been hit with a rash of injuries, including starting offensive guard Mark Shuman, who injured his knee and will miss the opener. Backup offensive lineman Adam Taraschke also left the team abruptly, and others are banged up. They’ve also lost several running backs, with Michael Holmes being kicked off the team and Joel Caleb getting suspended for the opener. Starting tailback JC Coleman also sprained both his ankles and is doubtful for the opener, though he says he will play.
Thomas will have to throw to all new receivers as well. Only one returning receiver (Demitri Knowles) had more than two receptions in 2012, along with tight end Ryan Malleck, who had 17 catches last year. Alabama is going to bring as much heat on Thomas as possible, to try and force the turnover-prone QB to make bad decisions. Thomas is mobile, so keeping him in the pocket and forcing him into bad decisions is going to be a must. The Tide defensive backs are likely going to have to play a lot of man-to-man coverage as Alabama brings pressure from various angles. Also, the ends and outside linebackers must not rush too far up field, and make sure not to allow Thomas to escape the pocket and make the defense chase Thomas.
Putting pressure on Thomas to force him into making turnovers which he has been very prone to doing in the past will be what the coaches hope the end result of putting all the heat on the big QB.
Limiting mistakes
Alabama has the advantage all over the field in this matchup, at least on paper, and its biggest opponent will be its own mistakes or lack thereof. Virginia Tech has a tough but banged-up defense to start the season, but will try and stack the box to force McCarron beat them. They have some injuries in the secondary, so Alabama will try and exploit some potential mismatches in the passing game.
If Virginia Tech continues to load the box, expect quick passes with AJ McCarron’s deadly play-action pass thrown in, but keeping the mistakes to a minimum will be key. Turnovers and dumb penalties can keep even a mismatched team in a ballgame. Luckily for Alabama, McCarron doesn’t turn the ball over and Yeldon typically doesn’t put the ball on the turf either. Alabama must play efficiently and with discipline; staples of Nick Saban football teams.
Start fast, finish strong
All eyes will be on the top-ranked Crimson Tide, but Nick Saban has done his best to keep those outside expectations and chatter about “three peats” away from his players. How much of that actually works is unknown, but judging by the way his players sound and look it definitely seems like despite being two-time defending national champions, they look like a hungry team with something to prove.
Alabama needs to jump on Virginia Tech quickly, possibly even using some up-tempo offense to get Virginia Tech on its heels with something they aren’t expecting. Alabama must couple that with a physical, relentless defense, putting Logan Thomas on the turf early and often.
The key is not simply to start strong, but to continue putting the pressure on Virginia Tech for four full quarters, and destroy any and all hope for the Hokies team.
Alabama is coming into the season opener a 20+ point favorite, and most think it’s going to be yet another season-opening runaway from Nick Saban’s boys. But the players aren’t showing that in their demeanor. Nick Saban is working hard – along with team leaders like AJ McCarron – to keep the team focused.