The Crimson Crossover: Painting a Hokie picture

Alabama – 2012 season

Record: 13-1
Conference Record: 7-1 (SEC – First-place in Western Division)
Postseason: Alabama 42 Notre Dame 14 (BCS National Championship Game)

Virginia Tech – 2012 season

Record: 7-6
Conference Record: 4-4 (ACC – Fourth-place in Coastal Division)
Postseason: Virginia Tech 13 Rutgers 10 – OT (Russell Athletic Bowl)

History lesson

Series: Alabama leads 11-1 (First meeting in 1932)
Most Recent Meeting: Alabama 34 Virginia Tech 24 (2009 - Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)

Setting the scene

Alabama 0-0 vs. Virginia Tech 0-0 (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game – Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia Dome)
Betting Line: Alabama -19.5 (as of 8/25)

Alabama anywhere from an 18- to 20.5-point favorite vs. Va. Tech http://t.co/ibfmm4SEC5
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) August 25, 2013

Beat writer of the week

Andy Bitter - Virginia Tech football beat writer for the Roanoke Times and Virginian-Pilot.

Twitter: @AndyBitterVT

Follow Andy via Twitter to get the latest (breaking) news concerning the Virginia Tech Hokies as they prepare for Alabama.

38% of VT's travel roster is freshmen RT @Beamer_Ball 11 true freshmen, 16 redshirt freshmen will make up the 71 man travel squad to Atlanta
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 25, 2013

Virginia Tech on the wire

What can Hokie fans expect in 2013? The Chicago Tribune breaks down the Virginia Tech season.

NCAA Football Preview - Virginia Tech Hokies

Andy Bitter chronicles the “newly finalized” VT offensive line.

Virginia Tech finalizes starting offensive line

That'd be Gibson, Miller, Wang, Farris and McLaughlin RT @coachgrimey Me & the 2013 #Hokies starting O-Line! pic.twitter.com/bFjkxmWscc
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 24, 2013

ESPN and Hokie beat writer Andy Bitter discuss quarterback, and Tech team leader, Logan Thomas.

What does Thomas need to return to form?

Logan Thomas is a natural leader

To say Virginia Tech has been “injury plagued” is an understatement. The AP documented the VT issues earlier this month.

Injuries slam Virginia Tech with Alabama up first

Frank Beamer describes running back J.C. Coleman (ankles) as "questionable" for Saturday.

Frank Beamer on J.C. Coleman's status. "He's questionable right now." #Hokies
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 26, 2013

Highly touted defensive lineman Corey Marshall has taken a leave of absence from the Virginia Tech squad.

Virginia Tech DL Corey Marshall leaves team for personal matters

"Gobble" until suspended

"Gobble Gobble. #HOKIES #BEATBAMA” was the tweet, and, well...it was the only tweet.

In what provided a touch of humor to Alabama fans, the Twitter account known as "AutomaticHokie" spent the better part of three weeks, at least, spamming various users through what was described as an "automated" system.

When Twitter users tweeted about Virginia Tech, in essentially any fashion, they were met with the aforementioned tweet.

Hokie please! RT @AutomaticHokie: @kbarber1984 Gobble Gobble. #HOKIES #BEATBAMA
— K Cole (@kbarber1984) August 21, 2013

Sadly, the "gobbler on parade" was eventually suspended by the powers that be at Twitter.

The weekly quotable

#Hokies Fr. CB Kendall Fuller says he's "not gonna shy down from" Bama WR Amari Cooper. "We feel comfortable where anyone can stick him.”
— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) August 24, 2013

One has to respect Fuller's confidence, but that same confidence could also be viewed as a case of "famous last words." The thought of a freshman defensive back checking Amari Cooper is quite interesting to say the least.

Frank Beamer on Tech Talk Live about Alabama: "This is the best team we've ever played." #Hokies
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 27, 2013

Frank Beamer is a legendary head coach and he knows how to deliver a compliment to the opposition while providing fuel for his own team. Take the above comment as a mix of "coach speak" with a touch of motivation for the Hokies. The promise of facing the "best team" the program has ever encountered is the ultimate incentive to spring the upset.

The Crimson Elephant verdict

Although Virginia Tech will likely field a quality product in 2013, the "week one" Hokies are a little too injured and a little too young to compete with the top-ranked team in the nation.

Frank Beamer on being an underdog against Alabama: "Facts are facts ... I don't think you'll see many, if any, picking us."
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) August 26, 2013

While the Hokies have a legitimate shot at capturing the ACC Coastal Division, and quite possibly securing a 10-win season, "(Frank) Beamer Ball" will have to dig out from a season-opening loss.

Alabama 38
Virginia Tech 10