The jitters were sure to hit Greg McElroy, with all the usual signs. Sweaty palms. Butterflies. Racing heart.

Once the plane lands in Atlanta, No. 5 Alabama's new starting quarterback figures he'll be OK, though.

"I'm scared to fly," McElroy said. "That's about as nervous as I'll probably get just boarding that plane."

He will make his starting debut in the Georgia Dome Saturday night against No. 7 Virginia Tech in a nationally televised game, but he's more comfortable in that kind of environment than on planes.

McElroy's first high school start came as a senior against Midland Lee, the powerhouse Texas school of "Friday Night Lights" fame.

"I'm used to playing on the big stage for my first start," he said. "It's the only thing I've ever known. It's only fitting because if this team wants to achieve great things, then we've got to beat great opponents."

And if Virginia Tech expects to do great things, the Hokies will need their quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, to stay healthy.

Taylor is 13-1 as a starter not counting the loss at Florida State last year when his game ended with an injury on the first offensive play. He had four 100-yard rushing games last season.

"It can wreak a lot of havoc for the secondary," Arenas said. "You typically cover a guy for 4-5 seconds, 6 at the most. A guy like that you can possibly be covering up to 11 or 12 seconds. It gives him a greater opportunity to complete a pass."