Nearly eight months have passed since the flood of confetti was swept up from Sun Life Stadium following The University of Alabama’s dismantle of Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game, and football is finally back.
Kickoff between No. 1 Alabama and Virginia Tech is two days away, and the excitement surrounding the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game is rising at the University.
“I think it’s time for everybody to get excited about playing a game,” head coach Nick Saban said. “This is an important game. You can’t have a good season if you don’t get off to a good start and have a good first game.”
The two teams met to start the 2009 season, and in that game, fifth-ranked Alabama defeated seventh-ranked Virginia Tech, 34-24.
The Crimson Tide has fared well in the past against the Hokies and will face them for the 13th time in school history Saturday. Alabama owns an 11-1 record in the series.
But it’s unlikely that any Alabama player is aware of that.
Saban has preached against complacency as if it was the eighth deadly sin since the Crimson Tide hoisted the Coaches’ Trophy in January. He said Saturday’s game will reveal how well the players have shut out the attention they received this offseason after winning back-to-back championships.
“The team has done a really good job of working to get ready for the season,” Saban said Monday. “You never know for sure, until you go out there and play, who are the real guys that can go out there and compete, do their job, play with confidence and maturity and play winning football.”
But the players seem ready for that task and a chance to shine under the lights of the Georgia Dome.
Junior defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan will be one of the main contributors along Alabama’s defensive front this season and will be relied on to beef up the Crimson Tide’s pass rush.
He likened the excitement of the first game of the season to Christmas morning.
“It’s pretty close,” Pagan said. “We work so hard, and it’ll be fun to finally get to hit somebody else other than ourselves.”
Left guard Arie Kouandjio shared the same sentiment as Pagan. However, Kouandjio is slated to make his first appearance in the starting lineup beside his younger brother, Cyrus.
“I’m very excited,” Kouandjio said. “I’ve been waiting on this day for a very long time.”
And he’s not alone.
Fans enjoy watching Alabama begin its seasons against top-notch, non- conference opponents, and Saban said it is a great way to start the year and see where a team stands.
“These games, playing in these neutral site games, have a history of giving our team great momentum and a great start, great exposure,” Saban said.
