*New format for the presser. Coach Frank Beamer and four players – LB Cody Grimm, DT John Graves, QB Tyrod Taylor and LT Ed Wang – spoke to print and television media from a podium. In years past, players were scattered throughout a room where reporters could roam and get quotes. Guess they’re trying to streamline the process now.

*Beamer isn’t trying to downplay the importance of Saturday’s game against No. 5 Alabama. He just doesn’t want his players hanging their entire season on the season-opener. He admitted Tuesday that a win would be a significant thing, but as he has said throughout the preseason, he doesn’t think this is a make or break game for the Hokies.

*Tech is 1-24 all time against Associated Press top five teams, so yeah, it’s a big game.

*Taylor thinks Tech’s offense could be “explosive” this season.

*Four true freshmen will travel with the Hokies to Atlanta – quarterback Logan Thomas (Brookville), tailback David Wilson (GW-Danville), cornerback Jayron Hosely and wide receiver D.J. Coles. All but Thomas are likely to play. Beamer said Thomas would be an emergency fill in at quarterback if Tyrod Taylor and Ju-Ju Clayton went down.

*Side note, Alabama’s “media guide” has a $25 price tag on the back. 

*ABC’s Brent Musberger and Lisa Salters were here today doing interviews for Saturday’s telecast. Some of the other hacks on the beat said Musberger gave the team a pep talk before practice.

*Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Beamer is in favor of an exhibition game before the start of the season. That way teams can work out the kinks (missed tackles, dropped passes, mental mistakes) that often show up in season openers. Obviously he brings this up the same week his team opens the season against the No. 5 team in the country.

*Beamer on the Monday shooting of Alabama defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick: “He’s certainly a good player. The trouble is, they’ve got a lot of good players. You hate to see something like this happen, but I’m sure they’re going to be ready to play Saturday night.”

Deadrick is alright. He was shot in the forearm during an attempted robbery Monday night, but was expected to be released from the hospital sometime today.

*Bama nose tackle Terrence Cody is good.

*Bama wide receiver Julio Jones is also good. He reminds Beamer, and others, of a young Calvin Johnson. To refresh your memories, Johnson had six catches for 115 yards and two TDs for Georgia Tech in a 2006 win over the Hokies in Blacksburg.

*The Crimson Tide must replace three offensive linemen and both starting tight ends. Grimm said the Hokies are excited at the possibility of facing such a inexperienced front.

*I’ll post some more of the quotes later.