Staff Predictions for Alabama vs. West Virginia

The countdown to Alabama football has turned from months, to days, to hours. The Crimson Tide will start its season off against West Virginia. The Tide enters on a two-game losing streak while the Mountaineers are coming off of a four win season.

For West Virginia, the concern is targeted towards being able to become a national contender again. At Alabama, their attention is at the quarterback position. Jacob Coker and Blake Sims have continually battled it out throughout fall and look to do so in the first game of the season. While these questions still linger in the air, lets see what the staff thinks about Alabama's first game.

Ryan Fowler (Host of "The Game")

Alabama does not need to be fancy in a game like this, just show the basics. However, a vanilla offense in the spring game had the Bama Nation thinking Blake Sims was not the QB that could lead Alabama to a 16th National title.

Alabama will use a barometer early to see if WVU can slow down an aggressive rushing attack. This attack will open up the play action pass enough to keep WVU from stacking 7-8 in the box. Alabama steals the momentum early and the Tide Rolls over the Mountaineers. Alabama 28, West Virginia 7

Chris Stewart (Host of "The Chris Stewart Show")

West Virginia is better than a year ago, but not improved enough to beat Alabama. The Tide will be efficient enough at quarterback (whoever it is taking snaps) to get the ball in the hands of their numerous playmakers.

Defensively, while the Bama D would prefer to have Trey DePriest available, they will slow down the Mountaineers' attack.

Alabama may not hit the Vegas number, but the Tide will roll.

Alabama 31, West Virginia 10

Ben George (Digital Managing Editor)

Nick Saban didn’t expect this lopsided of a matchup when Alabama and West Virginia agreed to play in Atlanta, but the Mountaineers were several different types of ugly a year ago. But this game is far from a cakewalk. Dana Holgorsen’s team will push the tempo from the opening kick and that will test Alabama. Plus, we still have no idea what to expect out of the quarterback position. Athletes and playmakers will carry Alabama to a win to begin the year. Alabama 38, West Virginia 13

Ryan McMunn (Producer for 'The Chris Stewart Show' and 'The Game')

The West Virginia Mountaineers come into the 2014 season with a chip on their shoulders. After a sub-par 2013 campaign, that led them to a 4-8 record, head coach Dana Holgerson thinks they have the tools to do some damage in the Big 12 this year... Well, they don't... Pat White, Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, and Steve Slaton aren't walking out of that locker room for the Mountaineers. To keep it short and sweet, this will be a glorified preseason game for Alabama. The Crimson Tide will take down West Virginia. Alabama 38, West Virginia 10.

Filed Under: Alabama Football, College football, Crimson Tide Football 2014, Staff Predictions, West Virginia Mountaineers

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