When the AP sub-headline reads, “Bama looks bound for another run at national title after impressive showing against Va. Tech,” you know things are going right for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. A quick sample of the entire AP story (embedded here): Nick Saban had plenty of reasons to scold his players. The turnovers. The silly penalties. The kickoff that was returned 98 yards for a touchdown.

The Alabama coach had no complaints about the defense. Or the new quarterback. Or the running game.

One game into the season, the Crimson Tide already looks every bit like a team that will make another run at a national championship.

No. 5 Alabama answered numerous questions Saturday night in a 34-24 victory over seventh-ranked Virginia Tech that was more dominating than the score indicated. The most striking statistic: The Tide piled up an overwhelming 498-155 edge in total yards against a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally a year ago.

“We got, what, 500 yards against a perennial power defense?” said Greg McElroy, who took over at quarterback for three-year starter John Parker Wilson. “We beat a good team. Could we have done better? Absolutely.” (the rest embedded in this post; you need java to read it.)