Alabama @ Virginia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2009 ) Virginia Tech 24, Alabama 34

No. 1 Alabama is bidding to win an unprecedented three straight National Championships and four in five years. That quest begins with a tough opener on Saturday, when the Crimson Tide play Virginia Tech in Atlanta. Alabama rolled over Notre Dame in last January’s BCS National Championship Game but waved goodbye to most of its starting offensive line and some key performers on a standout defense.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has regularly sent defensive players into the first round of the NFL draft but has no problem rebuilding year after year. Alabama again brought in one of the top recruiting classes in the country and returns starting quarterback A.J. McCarron. The Hokies enter the season unranked after a disappointing 2012 campaign.

TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Alabama -19

ABOUT ALABAMA (13-1, 7-1 SEC): McCarron delivered 30 touchdown passes with only three interceptions in 2012 and is an early Heisman Trophy candidate going into his senior campaign. McCarron will have to get by without security blankets like guard Chance Warmack, center Barrett Jones and running back Eddie Lacy - three of the nine starters that left for the NFL. The biggest rebuilding section comes in the secondary, where Saban experimented with moving some of his offensive players to the other side of the ball in practice.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (7-6, 4-4 ACC): The Hokies bring back quarterback Logan Thomas, who led the team to the Sugar Bowl in 2011 but fell off dramatically last season. The senior might have even fewer weapons on offense in 2013 after the graduation of each of his top three wide receivers. Redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds is expected to get the bulk of the carries at running back while the defense returns eight starters.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama starting DB Geno Smith was suspended for the opener after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

2. Virginia Tech DL Corey Marshall left the team for personal reasons earlier this month and his return is unknown.

3. The Crimson Tide beat the Hokies 34-24 in the 2009 season opener and leads the series, 11-1.

PREDICTION: Alabama 24, Virginia Tech 17