Alabama
(7-4 record; Mike DuBose, 2nd season) |
Virginia Tech
(8-3 record; Frank Beamer, 12th season) |
School's Bowl Record: 28-17-3
Coach's Bowl Record: 0-0
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1997 Outback Bowl (beat Michigan 17-14)
Record in Music City Bowl: First appearance |
School's Bowl Record: 3-8
Coach's Bowl Record: 2-3
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1998 Gator Bowl (lost to North Carolina 42-3)
Record in Music City Bowl: First appearance |
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Offensive Stud |
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Shaun Alexander, RB, Jr. (258 carries, 1,178 yards, 13 TDs): Cooled off considerably after a very hot start
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Al Clark, QB, Sr. (72-148, 1,050 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs): The leader of the offense has been hampered by injuries all season
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Defensive Stud |
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Marcus Spencer, DB, Sr. (4 INTs, 69 tackles): Led the team in interceptions and was fourth in total tackles
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Corey Moore, DE, Jr. (14 sacks): Big East defensive player of the year leads a stifling Hokie attack
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Player to Watch |
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Andrew Zow, QB, Fr. (143-256, 1,969 yards, 11 TDs, 7 INTs): Never mind experience, he shined after taking over the starting job in the middle of the season
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Keion Carpenter, DB, Sr. (5 INTs): One of two Hokies with 5 picks, also one of the top players on special teams
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Key Stats |
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Even with Alexander in the backfield, Alabama is just 97th in the country in total rushing offense at 115.6 yards per game.
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Seventh in the nation in total defense, allowing just 284.9 yards per game.
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Surprise Stat |
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The Tide is next to last in the SEC with a 50 percent field-goal conversion rate. Kicker Ryan Pflunger is just 11-of-22.
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The Hokies have blocked 10 kicks this season and 71 during Frank Beamer's 137-game reign in Blacksburg.
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1998 Turning Point |
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The Tide nearly upset Florida on October 3 behind Zow, who took over the starting job from John David Phillips. Zow became the permanent starter after that and the Tide went 5-2 after that.
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Two heartbreaking losses to end the season. The first was to Syracuse on Donovan McNabb's last-second TD pass. The other was blowing a 22-point lead to in-state rival Virginia.
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Key to Victory |
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Having Alexander put up his early-season numbers against one of the toughest defenses in the country.
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Overcoming the current emotional lows of two tough losses at the end of the season.
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Outlook |
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Alabama is excited to be back in the bowl business but will be hard pressed to get their erratic offense going against a tough Hokie defense.
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The Hokie defense should be more than enough to shut down Alabama.
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