ATLANTA | For Alabama and Virginia Tech, the first game can't get here soon enough. The No. 5 Crimson Tide and the seventh-ranked Hokies will meet Saturday night in a bowl-like atmosphere at sold-out Georgia Dome, both looking to score early points in the national championship race after enduring a that-wasn't-in-the-plans preseason. Virginia Tech lost star running back Darren Evans, who went down in practice with a season-ending knee injury. The sophomore rushed for 1,265 yards while starting just eight games a year ago and was named MVP of the Orange Bowl. At Alabama, the days leading up to the ... Email