Alabama vs. Virginia Tech: Previewing The Offense

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MIAMI - JANUARY 01: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs the ball for a toucdown against Brandon Underwood #8 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the FedEx Orange Bowl against at Dolphin Stadium on January 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by

For the article, I'm going to be previewing the offensive side of the ball for the upcoming Virginia Tech vs. Alabama game on September 5 in the Georgia Dome. This is part-one of this preview series. In part-two I'll cover the defenses of the Chick-Fil-A College Football Kickoff.

In this article I'll break down the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive lines of both Virginia Tech and Alabama.

Link to Part 2: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/202960-alabama-vs-virginia-tech-previewing-the-defense

The Quarterbacks

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rolls out to pass against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama defeated Auburn 36-0. (Photo by Doug Benc/Get

Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech is led by QB Tyrod Taylor. He has planned to red shirt his first two years and sit behind Sean Glennon. However, that didn't work as early loses to LSU and ECU the last two years have put him into a starting role.

Tyrod is an unproven passer and had a poor two-to-seven TD to INT ratio last year. However, this year all of the same receivers are back and Tyrod has had an entire spring to develop. Injuries at quarterback will be key for VT. An injury to Tyrod would put Ju Ju Clayton, a very inexperienced backup, in the starting role.

VT also has what is named the "Wild Turkey" which was featured toward the end of the season last year. They stick 280 pound TE Greg Boone, who played QB in high school, in the "Wildcat" formation and usually run right at the defense.

Alabama: Greg McElroy looks to be the starter. He is a 6'2" 220 pound red shirt junior from powerhouse South Lake Carroll High School. McElroy is also very inexperienced, but had a solid spring throwing for 342 yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTs.

Alabama also struggles from lack of depth at the QB position. Behind McElroy they have two more inexperienced options. One is 6'6" walk-on Thomas Darrah. Thomas had a less than stellar spring with a zero-to-four TD to INT ratio.

The other QB competing for the backup job is prized recruit Star Jackson. Jackson is a red shirt freshman who is very inexperienced. He averaged just over 1.3 yards per attempt this spring.

Conclusion: I have to give the nod to Virginia Tech here for the simple fact that Tyrod Taylor is more experienced than Greg McElroy. However, both teams have very little depth and a QB injury could mean a loss. Tyrod is much more injury prone, as we've seen in the past from him, and this could present a major problem for the Hokies.

The Running Backs

MIAMI - JANUARY 01: Darren Evans #32 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the FedEx Orange Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Dolphin Stadium on January 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Im

Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech returns starting running back Darren Evans from last year. Evans earned over 1,200 yards as a red shirt freshman and this year will have an added one-two punch. This punch will be added when red shirt freshman Ryan Williams takes the field. Williams was a star in the spring, as he took his teams first offensive play for over 50 yards on a screen pass.

VT also has incoming freshman David Wilson who could make an immediate impact. Tech has depth and talent in their running back stable. They have four guys that can carry the ball effectively and the one-two punch of Evans and Williams could be a tough one for defenses to handle.

Alabama: Alabama also has a very good running back stable. They are led by Mark Ingram who scored 12 times on the ground last year. After Ingram they have Roy Upchurch who was a solid third option for the Crimson Tide last year.

Alabama will also have incoming freshman Trent Richardson joining the team. He was ranked the no.6 overall player in last years class and will have a huge impact this year for the Tide.

Conclusion: Both teams are loaded with depth and talent in their backfields. I'm going to give the edge to VT in this one. Just for the fact that Evans has more experience and was the starter last year. Both teams will have no problem running the ball this year and it will be a focal point of both offenses in their early season match up.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 08: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide avoids a tackle by Chris Hawkins #29 of the Louisiana State University Tigers on November 11, 2008 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tide defeated the Tigers 27-21 i

Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech had to replace all their receivers last year because of graduation, injury, and suspension. They had to scramble to put together a starting lineup of all freshman. They learned on the fly and progressed and improved as they went along.

Virginia Tech is led by WRs Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin, and Dyrell Roberts. They are all rising sophomores and will all play big roles in this year's passing game. None are super fast or tall, but all are good possession receivers.

At tight end VT has Greg Boone, Sam Wheeler, and Andre Smith. Boone is 280 pounds and is very quick for his size. He should start this year in the offense. Sam Wheeler is coming back from a serious knee injury, but was very effective before he was hurt.

Alabama: We all know that the Alabama WRs are led by Julio Jones. Jones is 6'4" and is very fast. He is an all-around WR who had over 900 yards and four touchdowns last year as a freshman. Other than Jones, Alabama's passing game isn't very star powered. They have senior Mike McCoy and Marquis Maze who is small, but a very quick player.

At tight end Alabama lost their two starters from last year. This year they have lots of people to step in, but none are proven. The likely starter is Colin Peek who was a Georgia Tech transfer who left when Paul Johnson's option attack came to Atlanta. He is 6'6" and could replace the numbers put up by graduating starter Nick Walker.

Conclusion: For the WRs VT has more experience and overall depth. But Alabama's Julio Jones is a special player and he puts the edge in Alabama's favor.

As for Tight End's, Alabama lost their two starters and VT returns all of theirs. Greg Boone is a big time player and VT gets a significant edge here.

The Offensive Line

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 1: Tackle Ed Wang #77 of the Virginia Tech Hokies sets to block against the Boston College Eagles in the ACC Championship Game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 1, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Hokies won the

Virginia Tech: VT returns three offensive linemen from last year as well as James Brooks who played very well as a replacement for Nick Marshman in the Orange Bowl.

Virginia Tech's offensive line last year was average and gave up way too many sacks. This year is a make it or break it year for the offensive line. VT leads all BCS schools in total number of career starts on the offensive line.

Alabama: Alabama lost center Antoine Caldwell and offensive tackle Andre Smith to the NFL draft. Also, starting guard Marlon Davis graduated.

The projected Crimson Tide offensive line should start all juniors and seniors even with the loss of three starters from last year. They have a total of 50 career combined starts.

Conclusion: Alabama lost a lot from their 2008 offensive line and will have a lot of player turnover. The VT offensive line hasn't proven very good in the last few years and needs to make a statement this year. Both lines should have a tough time against the other teams defensive fronts. I'm going to put this one at a push. Alabama might have more talent, but VT has more experience. That could prove crucial in this early season game.