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September 4, 2009

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

The images on the Alabama game tapes might have made Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer smile if they hadn't made him cringe.

Few can appreciate dynamic special teams more than Beamer, whose emphasis on defense and the kicking game led to the term "Beamer-Ball" - a style of play the Hokies have been identified with for years and a style they hope to restore when they open the season against Alabama on Saturday night in Atlanta.

Beamer was duly impressed - and maybe a bit depressed - as he closely watched tapes of Javier Arenas routinely sprinting through mazes of frustrated tacklers.

"He's quite a punt returner," Beamer said earlier this week. "We saw all his returns from last year. It's a big tape. He had a lot of them. They do a good job on it and they work hard on blocking people. They get on you and let him run to daylight. We have to plan where the ball is going, but he can take it a lot of places."

Arenas is hopeful he can help take Alabama to a victory over the Hokies in the Georgia Dome. He also hopes to help the Tide get back to the SEC championship game and back into the national title hunt. And although he played a big role in Alabama climbing as high as No. 1 in the nation last season, he could be an even bigger factor this season as the link between an overpowering defense and an uncertain offense.

Arenas has averaged more than 15 yards on punt returns in each of the past two seasons and has returned six for touchdowns in his career. Last season, he scored touchdowns against Tulane, Mississippi State and Utah. He averaged 15.9 yards to rank sixth in the nation among punt returners, and he had at least 21 more attempts than any of those ranked ahead of him.

"You don't know what type of return man they think they're going against," Arenas said. "They may think I'm one of the top return men in the country. They might see me as just another guy.

"If the coaches are telling you, 'This guy is the truth,' all 11 guys will be after him. It depends on the mindset they have."

It doesn't take a trained eye like Beamer's to see the truth.

Adding to Beamer's angst is that Virginia Tech's special teams were mediocre last season. Most disconcerting is that the Hokies ranked 103rd in the nation in punt coverage and allowed punt returns for touchdowns by Nebraska's Nate Swift and Boston College's Rich Gunnell.

"We had a couple of breakdowns in punt coverage last year," Beamer said. "Part of it was Nebraska and Boston College, and part of it was us. We've worked hard on it. It's certainly something that needs to be very efficient going into this game."

Beamer can plot and scheme for ways to contain Arenas, but perhaps he'd be best-served by phoning Facunda Arenas, Javier's mother, for tips. When Arenas was growing up in Tampa, Fla., he was allowed to stay out as long as he was playing football. But if he got out of line, Arenas wasn't fast or elusive enough to avoid her wrath.

"If we told her we were playing football, she'd let us kick it until about 7 o'clock," Arenas said. "But if it wasn't football, we were in trouble. If there were no scars for proof, you had some explaining to do. She was like Dick Butkus. You couldn't make her miss."

Arenas doesn't want to miss a chance to make a big play, and he should have ample opportunities because Alabama's defense figures to regularly spank opponents. With All-America nose tackle Terrence Cody and linebackers Rolando McClain and Dont'a Hightower, the Crimson Tide figure to give up first downs like a hungry Doberman would give up a T-bone.

Last season, Arenas led the nation with 41 punt returns, and he may have that many again this season. A year ago, his long returns were a luxury; this season, they may be a necessity.

Gone are quarterback John Parker Wilson, 1,000-yard rusher Glen Coffee and three starting offensive linemen. Two of those linemen were tackle Andre Smith, a first-round NFL draft choice, and center Antoine Caldwell, a third-round pick.

New quarterback Greg McElroy is a first-year starter and the offensive line has been rebuilt. The running game that was so dominant in '08 is a question mark now.

"I think it's more important this year," Arenas said of his role. "We have a guy back there at quarterback for the first time. If I set Greg up with great field position, it will make his job easier, especially early in the season. Of course, there are times we'll be backed up. But what's a better way to start than with a short field?"

Well, touchdown returns are better, and Arenas is extremely capable of providing them.

Beamer knows. He has seen the video.

Who gets the edge?

ALABAMA RUSH OFFENSE vs. VIRGINIA TECH RUSH DEFENSE
The Crimson Tide received a big boost when sophomore RB Mark Ingram, who gained 728 yards last season, was cleared to play Wednesday. He had been suspended by the NCAA until he repaid the cost of a Gulf Coast fishing trip he and WR Julio Jones had taken earlier this year. But the Tide's line won't be as dominant as it was a year ago. Virginia Tech typically is strong against the run. That doesn't figure to change, even though Hokies inside linebackers Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson have combined for just one college start.
Edge: Virginia Tech

ALABAMA PASS OFFENSE vs. VIRGINIA TECH PASS DEFENSE
Sophomore QB Greg McElroy has thrown just 20 career passes. At least he can throw to Jones, a sophomore who's already established himself as one of the nation's premier receivers. Will McElroy - who played for pass-happy Southlake (Texas) Carroll in high school - get adequate protection behind the rebuilt line? Without Smith in last season's Sugar Bowl, Alabama gave up eight sacks against Utah. Virginia Tech allowed 12 touchdown passes last season, and three-fourths of the starting secondary is back. CB Stephan Virgil, who had six interceptions in '08, is the guy to watch. The safety tandem of Dorian Porch and Kam Chancellor has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. E Jason Worilds is a strong push rusher, but can the Hokies find someone who can give Worilds some help?
Edge: Virginia Tech

VIRGINIA TECH RUSH OFFENSE vs. ALABAMA RUSH DEFENSE
The Hokies suffered a major setback Aug. 11 when RB Darren Evans was lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament; Evans rushed for 1,265 yards last season. Without him, the Hokies turn to redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, sophomore Josh Oglesby and true freshman David Wilson to share the load. They will run behind a veteran line anchored by G Sergio Render, an All-America candidate. But 288-pound C Beau Warren will be giving up 66 pounds to Alabama NT Terrence Cody, perhaps the premier run-stuffer in the country. Hokies FB Kenny Jefferson has been suspended for this game. Alabama was No. 2 in the nation in run defense last season, allowing 74.1 yards per game, and Cody was a big reason - literally and figuratively - the Tide were so stingy. Dont'a Hightower and Rolando McClain head one of the country's top linebacker corps. They're big and physical, and move well laterally.
Edge: Alabama

VIRGINIA TECH PASS OFFENSE vs. ALABAMA PASS DEFENSE
In two seasons, Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor has thrown more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (seven). He's also completed just more than 57 percent of his attempts. The Hokies are counting on more consistency there. Tech's top four receivers are either sophomores or redshirt freshmen, and there is no established go-to guy. TE Greg Boone (6-3/287) is a huge target, and he had 22 catches in '08. Alabama ranked 30th in pass defense last season and nine defensive starters are back, including three in the secondary. The pass rush might suffer with E Brandon Deaderick out after getting shot in the forearm earlier this week. Insiders say sophomore E Marcel Dareus could be a pass-rushing force, though.
Edge: Alabama

ALABAMA SPECIAL TEAMS VS. VIRGINIA TECH SPECIAL TEAMS
Usually, Virginia Tech's special teams are among the best in the country. But the Hokies had an off-year in '08. Virginia Tech ranked 59th or worse in almost every major statistical category involving special teams. The kicking was solid last year, but the Hokies have a new kicker this season; senior walk-on Matt Waldron hasn't kicked a field goal since high school. Although Alabama's coverage units need to improve, starting CB Javier Arenas is among the nation's best on punt returns. K Leigh Tiffin has converted 53 field goals in his career and last season hit two from 50-plus yards. P P.J. Fitzgerald is solid.
Edge: Alabama

ALABAMA COACHING STAFF VS. VIRGINIA TECH COACHING STAFF
In 22 seasons at Virginia Tech, Frank Beamer has a school-record 177 victories; he's third among active coaches in career wins. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster is one of the absolute best in his field. After just two seasons, Nick Saban has Alabama back among the nation's elite. Alabama averaged 30.1 points per game last season under offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.
Edge: Even

X-FACTOR
Alabama has started fast under Saban. The Tide won their first three games in '07 and opened with a 34-10 thrashing of Clemson last season on the way to a 12-0 start. Virginia Tech is 16-6 in openers under Beamer, but the Hokies have started slow in the past two seasons. In '07, Virginia Tech posted a lackluster 17-7 victory East Carolina in the opener, a week before getting blown out by LSU 48-7. But even a lethargic victory was better than the '08 season opener, which the Hokies lost to East Carolina, 27-22.

Alabama will win if
The Tide defense needs to flex its muscle on early downs. That would force obvious passing situations and make Taylor prove he has made significant progress in that area. Strong defense and good special teams play could help give a rebuilt offense good starting field position. And an accurate night by Tiffin certainly would help.

Virginia Tech will win if
The running game must be productive enough to make Alabama take it seriously. In addition, Taylor has to demonstrate more accuracy as a passer and make a few plays with his feet. Obviously, the Hokies' defense and special teams must play up to their usual standards.

EXPERT PICKS
Olin Buchanan: Alabama 20-13
Tom Dienhart: Alabama 20-19
David Fox: Virginia Tech 14-10
Mike Huguenin: Virginia Tech 20-17
Jason King: Alabama 21-17
Steve Megargee: Alabama 17-14

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.




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