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OK, by now you've heard what has lit up the college football interwebs this afternoon, Alabama and West Virginia are looking at a matchup in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Numerous sources claim Coach Saban has said this at recent Crimson Caravan events and, earlier this afternoon, The Charleston Daily Mail's WVU beat writer, Mike Casazza, confirmed it.
This WVU v. Alabama thing is basically done done. I'm told the juggling is finished and the one 2014 opponent has disappeared.
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) May 17, 2012
That "done done" wasn't a typo, he tweeted later. " That was how level of confidence was conveyed to me." Casazza later followed up with a bona fide story on the developments citing WVU deputy director of athletics Mike Parsons as his source. So, alrighty then... looks like we are good to go.
Of course we still need to get a confirmation from the Alabama side and, like all of these types of things, some detail in the negotiations could derail things at the last minute. But it's seeming pretty likely that a matchup between Holgorsen's shoot-out-the-lights offense and Saban's bone crushing defense is gonna happen.
So, after the jump, let's check out some of the initial reactions to the news...
WVU-Bama to open the 2014 season is a perfect time for Holgo to unveil his spin on the A-11 offense.
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) May 17, 2012
Bama - WVU to open 2014. Whew. Big balls Mounties, big balls. I like it.
— Matt (@MHFaulkner) May 17, 2012
WVU/Bama in Atlanta in 2014 is an appropriate way to mark the 150th anniversary of Sherman burning the city down.
— Voodoo 5 (@usfvoodoo5) May 16, 2012
We're gonna lose by 30! Yay! RT @wvumills: WVU vs. Bama in Hotlanta in 2014 to open the season...ok!!
— Donald Butcher (@donnyb5) May 17, 2012
I'm already standing outside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta waiting for the Bama vs WVU kickoff in 2014. #diehard
— Andrew A Spurlock (@AndrewSpurlock) May 17, 2012
Really excited about WVU/Bama to open the 2014 season. Can't wait to see what Houston Nutt does with that Bama offense.
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 17, 2012
if "Wagon Wheel" isnt just on a continuous loop in the GA Dome before the #Bama #WVU game, then thats a massive fail on everyone involved
— justin beckett (@beckett929) May 17, 2012
And, lastly, just pop over to Smart Football's twitter timeline to get his running commentary on what he expects of the matchup. It's full of observations like this...
Saban will just treat the Airraid like he was back with the Cleveland Browns facing the Run and shoot Oilers
— Smart Football (@smartfootball) May 17, 2012