Usa Today Debut Issue: National magazines have been predicting big things for Virginia Tech’s football team all summer, but the lofty expectations became a little more official Friday, when the Hokies debuted at No. 7 in the first USA Today Coaches Poll. That tied the highest preseason ranking in program history. The Hokies also were ranked No. 7 before the 2005 season, which they began 8-0 and climbed to No. 3 in the polls before a home blowout loss to Miami. Tough start Tech will open this season Sept. 5 in the Georgia Dome against Alabama, which begins the year No. 5 in the same poll. The Crimson Tide will be the Hokies’ highest-ranked opening opponent since Tech opened the 2004 season against No. 1 Southern California. “Alabama is a very exciting opening game,” Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. “We bought all the tickets we can. They bought all the tickets they can. They tell me if you want to buy one, you’ve got to pay a lot of money right now. That’s good.” Tide has rolled over Tech before Alabama’s lofty position doesn’t bode well for the Hokies; they are 6-43 all-time against top-10 teams and 1-24 against top-five teams. Under Beamer, who took over in 1987, the program is 1-16 against top-5 opponents. Worse for Virginia Tech: The Tide is 5-0 against the Hokies when ranked in the top 10. Alabama beat Tech in 1968, 1972, 1973, 1978 and 1979 while ranked Nos. 7, 2, 2, 2 and 1, respectively. Past five vs. the top five Virginia Tech has lost five straight against teams in the top five: Oct. 25, 2007 No. 2 Boston College 14, No. 8 Virginia Tech 10 Sept. 8, 2007 No. 2 LSU 48, No. 9 Virginia Tech 7 Nov. 5, 2005 No. 5 Miami 27, No. 3 Virginia Tech 7 Jan. 3, 2005 No. 3 Auburn 16, No. 9 Virginia Tech 13 Aug. 28, 2004 No. 1 Southern Cal 24, Virginia Tech 13