Review: No. 5 Alabama 34, No. 7 Virginia Tech 24

For three quarters, the seventh-ranked Hokies stood toe-to-toe with #5 Alabama and actually led them 17-16. Virginia Tech had taken advantage of numerous mistakes by the Tide - fumbles, blown kickoff return coverage, penalties - and made them count on the scoreboard. But, much like Alabama versus Florida in the SEC Championship last year, the best team asserted itself in the final quarter.

'Bama began to gel as an offensive unit tonight, and showed signs of dominance in the running game against a stingy Virginia Tech defense. By the end, Mark Ingram had 150 yards rushing, the Tide had nearly 500 yards of offense, and Alabama walked away from the Georgia Dome a winner again over the Hokies.

So what did we learn tonight?

1. Greg McElroy can make plays when he has to. McElroy started shakily, beginning 2 for 8 in the first half. By the end, however, he was back at 50% (15 of 30) and had made perhaps the most important play in the game - a 48-yard bomb to Marquis Maze that set up the go-ahead touchdown.

2. Alabama's defense is as good as advertised. The Hokies were held to 155 total yards of offense, and 'Bama's defense really dominated the game more than the score indicated.

3. Tyrod Taylor may be ready to be a passer, but it didn't show tonight. Taylor did not make any significant plays in the passing game and finished 9 of 20 for 91 yards.

4. There are other 'Bama receivers besides Julio Jones. Jones was double-teamed most of the game, but Maze and Darius Hanks made several big plays. And most gratifying to Tide fans, several big catches were made by the tight end, Colin Peek.

5. The "Wildcat" appears to be a significant part of the Tide offense. Ingram received several direct snaps in the Wildcat formation, and Upchurch even got in on the action. The results were mixed, but the Tide ran it often enough that it looks to be more than just a passing fancy.

6. Virginia Tech may contend for a title, but it won't be a national title. The Hokies are good in two phases of the game - defense and special teams - but the offense was lethargic. The one bright spot was running back Ryan Williams, whose TD run in the fourth quarter was something special.

7. Bama likely will be undefeated through October. There isn't another significant challenge to the Tide until they travel to Ole Miss on Oct. 10, and, after Oklahoma's upset defeat today, Alabama should be be ranked no lower than 4th in the country by then.