Friday, October 30, 2009
Sports - A Thank You to VT
I would just like to take this time to do something that I rarely do - thank the Virginia Tech Hokies. They started off the college football weekend in such a magnificent way that it has me hopeful that the Mountaineers can continue the momentum tonight into a blissful three days of football. Who knows, maybe Indiana can beat Iowa and ease my concern about the Hawkeyes ruining a national championship game. For now I am satisfied with the Tarheels exposing the soon to be not ranked #13 Hokies. I also want take the time to thank the Hokies for bolting the Big East. Sure, I was upset about the three traitors leaving the Mountaineers and the other remaining Big East programs in a tight spot, but it hasn't turned out too bad. The Mountaineers have two BCS bowl wins in the short time since those three teams left the conference and Louisville has another. The teams the Big East brought on (USF, Cincy, Louisville) have all taken turns in the top 10 and shown potential. They still cannot be considered as strong of programs as Miami, VT, and BC, but they have been relatively close in performance in the years since the succession. The Big East has its haters that love to come out whenever it struggles, but the conference has performed well in the BCS bowl games and is still relatively strong. Despite much talk about the conference being down this year, it has one team contending for a national championship and two others that are inside the top 20. Meanwhile the ACC, despite having 50% more teams, has the same number of teams ranked in the top 25, none of which are in the top 10. VT could easily fall out of the top 25 after the loss to NC. On the flip side, in basketball the Big East shed perennial dogs and picked up Louisville, Marquette, and Cincinnati (also DePaul and USF who took the place of VT in fighting for last). The Big East now regularly competes for the honors of best conference in the land, something the ACC would always attempt to claim. The Mountaineers are preseason #9 and expected to be one of the best in the Big East this year. So, I suppose the state of the Mountaineers and the Big East since the departure of those infamous teams has never been better in many ways. So, thank you and good riddance. Does the Mountaineers success get the Hokies out of the DeHavenator dog house? Hardly. There they shall always remain.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sports - WV d. UConn
WV earned its first solid victory over the year edging Uconn 28-24. Here are some thoughts from the game:
I think UConn is a very underrated team. The Huskies played well at WV and I don't think it was due to the emotions of the game. They are a solid fundamentally sound team. On a neutral field I would put the Huskies 3rd in the Big East behind Cincy and Pitt. They have lost three games (at Pitt, vs. NC, and at WV) and have led late each time. UConn outgained WV 501 to 387 in total yards. The surprising part was that UConn turned it over 4 times to WV's 2. That and a couple of big plays by WV was the difference in the game. Given the teams' histories, you would expect the turnover margin to go the other way. So, I do feel like this is a quality win and one where the offense turned it over only once. It could be a nice building block as WV has 4 tough games remaining of its final 5. On the other hand, the fact that I would take UConn on a neutral field against West Virginia is slightly disturbing. It shows how far UConn has come and that WV is not the powerhouse is was for a few years. Nevertheless, it's a good win and I'll take it.
Austin had a sweet return to start the game, but the Mounties special team coverage was once again pathetic. There seems to be no answer there. Giving up 501 yards to UConn cannot count as a good performance by the defense, although causing 4 turnovers is very nice. I was impressed with Brown's elusiveness in the pocket and he used his legs more effectively in this game than he has previously this game. That was encouraging. I still wish they would do some designed quarterback runs (not just draws) out of the wildcat. I think it would help Devine if the defense had to respect Brown's running. On the turnover side, Brown only turned it over once. It was a pretty bad pass though. He also fumbled with nobody around him as he holds the ball as if it has the swine flu. He is going to continue to be fumble prone unless he changes the way he holds the ball. There were a couple of runs where he ran out of bounds just short of a first down. I don't know if he's faster than Smith or not, but he is certainly stronger. I wish he would have picked up the first down in those situations instead of avoiding contact. On the passing side, he had the nice completion down the sidelines for a big gain, but other than that it wasn't very good. He completed some short passes and he had some guys open deep a couple of times and was nowhere close to them. His accuracy on anything beyond the line of scrimmage was not very good in the game. Still, I suppose the plays were made when they needed to be made. That combined with just one turnover earns him a middling grade.
Overall, it was a decent performance against a good team. WV did enough to win and that's what matters most. It's on to South Florida, a hard team to figure out and a hard game to predict. USF has given the Mounties fits, particularly in Tampa. However they seem to be in full collapse mode as they do most every season. It's a big game for the Mountaineers. They have Louisville the following week. WV has the possibility to be 8-1 (4-0) heading into a stretch of three games where they will be an underdog in two and maybe a pick 'em in the other. As Ryan said, a Big East championship is unlikely, but it would be fun to stay in the race a little longer. Let's go Mountaineers!!!!
A Side not on Cincinnati - I have said since early in the season this team was very good. The press, who watches the games, agrees. The AP poll has them 4th only 6 votes behind USC. I would have them in front of USC, but I'll accept that. The coaches however place them 7th. It shows that the coaches have opinions about programs and it's hard to change that. They don't watch the games that don't affect them. What does Bob Stoops care about Cincinnati? Other less prominent coaches who don't play the Bearcats are just fighting for their jobs and don't have time to read about or watch Cincinnati football. So this is what we get (the AP smartly declined to be a piece in the BCS formula mess). My biggest fear for the title game is Iowa. That could be awful, a complete blowout. The Big 10 is not good. Iowa has Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Ohio St. left. I will be a big Buckeye fan that day just for the sake of a good title game. The only team worth noting they have beaten is Penn St. who they beat every year no matter how good they are. I'd take the Mountaineers over the Hawkeyes in a heads up matchup, something I couldn't say of any other top 10 team. Yet, Iowa will be 3rd in the pecking order should they run the table (SEC undefeated, Texas, Iowa). I hope Cincy is at least 4th in that order (I'd put them 3rd). We will see. Anybody else been unimpressed with Florida and Alabama lately? I know the SEC is tough and deep, but still, come on.
I think UConn is a very underrated team. The Huskies played well at WV and I don't think it was due to the emotions of the game. They are a solid fundamentally sound team. On a neutral field I would put the Huskies 3rd in the Big East behind Cincy and Pitt. They have lost three games (at Pitt, vs. NC, and at WV) and have led late each time. UConn outgained WV 501 to 387 in total yards. The surprising part was that UConn turned it over 4 times to WV's 2. That and a couple of big plays by WV was the difference in the game. Given the teams' histories, you would expect the turnover margin to go the other way. So, I do feel like this is a quality win and one where the offense turned it over only once. It could be a nice building block as WV has 4 tough games remaining of its final 5. On the other hand, the fact that I would take UConn on a neutral field against West Virginia is slightly disturbing. It shows how far UConn has come and that WV is not the powerhouse is was for a few years. Nevertheless, it's a good win and I'll take it.
Austin had a sweet return to start the game, but the Mounties special team coverage was once again pathetic. There seems to be no answer there. Giving up 501 yards to UConn cannot count as a good performance by the defense, although causing 4 turnovers is very nice. I was impressed with Brown's elusiveness in the pocket and he used his legs more effectively in this game than he has previously this game. That was encouraging. I still wish they would do some designed quarterback runs (not just draws) out of the wildcat. I think it would help Devine if the defense had to respect Brown's running. On the turnover side, Brown only turned it over once. It was a pretty bad pass though. He also fumbled with nobody around him as he holds the ball as if it has the swine flu. He is going to continue to be fumble prone unless he changes the way he holds the ball. There were a couple of runs where he ran out of bounds just short of a first down. I don't know if he's faster than Smith or not, but he is certainly stronger. I wish he would have picked up the first down in those situations instead of avoiding contact. On the passing side, he had the nice completion down the sidelines for a big gain, but other than that it wasn't very good. He completed some short passes and he had some guys open deep a couple of times and was nowhere close to them. His accuracy on anything beyond the line of scrimmage was not very good in the game. Still, I suppose the plays were made when they needed to be made. That combined with just one turnover earns him a middling grade.
Overall, it was a decent performance against a good team. WV did enough to win and that's what matters most. It's on to South Florida, a hard team to figure out and a hard game to predict. USF has given the Mounties fits, particularly in Tampa. However they seem to be in full collapse mode as they do most every season. It's a big game for the Mountaineers. They have Louisville the following week. WV has the possibility to be 8-1 (4-0) heading into a stretch of three games where they will be an underdog in two and maybe a pick 'em in the other. As Ryan said, a Big East championship is unlikely, but it would be fun to stay in the race a little longer. Let's go Mountaineers!!!!
A Side not on Cincinnati - I have said since early in the season this team was very good. The press, who watches the games, agrees. The AP poll has them 4th only 6 votes behind USC. I would have them in front of USC, but I'll accept that. The coaches however place them 7th. It shows that the coaches have opinions about programs and it's hard to change that. They don't watch the games that don't affect them. What does Bob Stoops care about Cincinnati? Other less prominent coaches who don't play the Bearcats are just fighting for their jobs and don't have time to read about or watch Cincinnati football. So this is what we get (the AP smartly declined to be a piece in the BCS formula mess). My biggest fear for the title game is Iowa. That could be awful, a complete blowout. The Big 10 is not good. Iowa has Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Ohio St. left. I will be a big Buckeye fan that day just for the sake of a good title game. The only team worth noting they have beaten is Penn St. who they beat every year no matter how good they are. I'd take the Mountaineers over the Hawkeyes in a heads up matchup, something I couldn't say of any other top 10 team. Yet, Iowa will be 3rd in the pecking order should they run the table (SEC undefeated, Texas, Iowa). I hope Cincy is at least 4th in that order (I'd put them 3rd). We will see. Anybody else been unimpressed with Florida and Alabama lately? I know the SEC is tough and deep, but still, come on.
Sports - Major Harris vs Pat White by Wayne
Major Harris vs Pat White??? That is a tough call (especially since I never really saw Major play.) That said, and forgive my arrogance on Major, but based on his accomplishments my vote goes with White. While Major got us to the National Title, and if he doesn't get hurt, we probably win, he still never won a bowl game, the Heisman, and doesn't hold any NCAA records. He was a winner through and through, but...
Meanwhile White has a record that can never be broken, only (improbably)matched. 4-0 in bowl games as a starting QB. Never done before, and probably be a long time if it is ever to be equaled. White also set the mark for all time Big East yardage and the NCAA record for rushing by a QB.
Also to me, I think there is something to be said for their accomplishments after WVU (small part at least since college success and NFL success are obviously completely different stories.) Pat White Drafted in the Second round by the Dolphins, contributing slightly. Harris, drafted in the 12th round by the Rams, never played a down in the NFL.
Harris paved the way for QBs like Charlie Ward, Donavan Mcnabb, Michael Vick and Pat White. But at the end of the day all things being equal, you put White head to head against Harris, I think White wins 7 out of 10.
Meanwhile White has a record that can never be broken, only (improbably)matched. 4-0 in bowl games as a starting QB. Never done before, and probably be a long time if it is ever to be equaled. White also set the mark for all time Big East yardage and the NCAA record for rushing by a QB.
Also to me, I think there is something to be said for their accomplishments after WVU (small part at least since college success and NFL success are obviously completely different stories.) Pat White Drafted in the Second round by the Dolphins, contributing slightly. Harris, drafted in the 12th round by the Rams, never played a down in the NFL.
Harris paved the way for QBs like Charlie Ward, Donavan Mcnabb, Michael Vick and Pat White. But at the end of the day all things being equal, you put White head to head against Harris, I think White wins 7 out of 10.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sports - WV d. UConn - Ryan's take
Stew should have sat JB, he was a liability against UConn. I don't know if he was rushed back or if it would have made any difference, but I would liked to have seen Smith get the start after a full week of prep. A win is a win, but the 'eers were very fortunate to come away with that one. 4 turnovers from UConn and 3 big plays (2 Devine runs and Austin kickoff return) made the difference. The offense couldn't put together a sustained drive all day. It was better in the second half, but the Mountaineers looked unprepared to handle all of the blitzing UConn did in the first half. That fact makes me question the game plan, I know little about the technical aspects of football but if you are replacing your starting corner with a new guy chances are you are going to blitz more to take some of the pressure off of him. Maybe I am over-simplifying but it seems obvious in hind-sight.
I think this Friday at USF is now a must-win. Cinncy and Pitt seem to be hitting their stride and WVU needs to jump on a slumping USF team if they want to stay in the race. I don't think WVU wins that race, but it would be nice to stay in it for a while longer.
Sports - Response to Wayne (read his coment first)
There we go Wayne! Way to liven it up a little in my return to the blogosphere. It was highly emotional and completely supportive of the current regime as is typical of your comments over the years with some good points and some not so fantastic. I certainly appreciate the different viewpoint, just perhaps tone down the language next time for the kids, alright unkie Wayne?
You went a little further with the comment that Stew doesn't have the guts for a quarterback controversy than I intended. If you read the rest of the comment, I talked about how public sentiment would be on Brown's side and even if I were coach and wanted to start Smith I'd blame it on Brown's injury. I did not intend to imply that Stew has less courage to make tough decisions than the average second year coach trying to establish himself at a school that is accustomed to success. It would take a unique coach to go with Smith over Brown at this point unless it is one that is well established and has no worries about the fan base turning against him. So, while I don't think Stew has the guts for a quarterback controversy, that is what I would expect from a coach in his situation and, for me, it really doesn't diminish him in any way. I have issues with Stew in a few areas, but I think he's a great guy and I'm not particularly bothered by his guts at this point.
My point about White's injury was not to suggest that Smith will be as good as White. It was merely to point out that it took an injury to another player to get what you called "WV's greatest QB" on the field full time. It appears Smith can do nothing to earn the starting job. The only way he can get it is if Brown gets hurt. That's the similarity. Side note: Major Harris vs. Pat White would be an interesting discussion for Greatest WV QB. I'd have to think about it before answering as opposed to the emotional response of Wayne who still lingers in love with the recently departed Pat White. At the very least I don't think it's fair to dismiss Harris and award it to White without thought.
I agree that Brown will be drafted in the NFL. NFL scouts covet size and strength and physical tools and Brown has all of that. To repeat your question Wayne, what does that have to do with who would be the better leader of this college football team? Nothing. The NFL is much different than college. They go on potential not performance, just look at Jamarcus Russell. He was the #1 player picked with all the physical tools you could want. However, if you can't read defenses and make accurate throws, you cannot succeed in the NFL. The teams will still take a chance that a player with the tools will develop those other skills. Russell has yet to do that and I doubt Brown will either. The comment reminds me of earlier in the decade at the University of Texas. The Longhorns had a quarterback who was a proven leader and winner, Major Applewhite. They also had a quarterback with all the physical tools that could light up defenses with inferior talent, Chris Simms. Simms went on to the NFL while Applewhite had no shot. Texas desperately wanted to hand the job to Simms despite the fact that he did not play well in big games against good teams. They did so in 2001. He threw 4 picks against the Sooners in a 14-3 loss early in the season. Then, late in the season when it looked like Texas could jump back into the national championship picture, he threw 3 against Colorado as the Texas got down big early. Enter Applewhite who led a valiant comeback that came up two points short. The Longhorns let Applewhite start the bowl game and he threw for 473 yards and 4 TD's in their win over Washington. All this is a nice story. The point is that a player can be a great college quarterback and never get a shot in the NFL or a player can be a disappointment in college (Simms had a nice career at Texas, but just couldn't get it done in the big games) and still be an NFL quarterback. The interest by NFL scouts in Brown doesn't mean anything when it comes time to line up on Saturdays.
As for Brown vs. Smith, I said I wasn't sure who gives WV the best chance to win. I wouldn't start Smith unless I thought he gave WV a better chance at success. I agree a 5th year senior would normally get the nod over a true freshman. However, there are few fifth year seniors that are as careless with the ball as Brown and few freshmen as capable as Smith. Still, I would acknowledge it's a tough decision and I'm fine with Brown starting. However, in all your ranting you failed to address Brown's turnover problems, like a politician sticking to his stump speech when asked a question that hits a little too close to home. There is no arguing that Brown is not a turnover machine. He holds the ball like Wayne holds a bottle of Bailey's after his 5th White Russian, sloppy (he's fumbled a couple of times with nobody around him). He sometimes feels like there should be equal opportunity between the offense and defense between who should have a chance to catch a ball. Those things make it Smith a little more intriguing.
As for Stew, I'll give him a chance. I'm certainly hoping he has great success and succeeds long term. I think the manner in which the WV athletic department hired him has hurt his public relations effort from the start. To say that he is not a candidate for the job the day of the bowl game and to hire him the next day is poor. It showed that it was an emotional hire, something big Wayne would do. That has made the choice questionable in the minds of many fans. If WV had said this was Stew's trial run and had hired him after the impressive bowl win, it may have been better for Stew. However, the athletic department put him in a bad spot. I still question if he can take the team back to the top 10 and consistently hang in the top 25, but I do think he should be given time until his recruits, including Smith, take over the team. His recruiting has been good, but then again, so has Zook's at Illinois, but that guy can't coach. My biggest disappointment with him is the area he coaches, special teams. The coverage team has been terrible all year. It's a little bit embarrassing since it's Stew's unit.
Overall, Brown and Stew are 6-1, which is not too shabby. Of course, they have one win against a team with a pulse as Ryan put it (the narrow escape against UConn) and the loss was against a poor Auburn team where Brown literally handed the game to them. 2-3 down the stretch is the most likely result as they start to play some good teams. However, if they can put it together and not turn the ball over, who knows, maybe it will be a magical season and a BCS bid in the end. For anyone who is predicting that, that is some "I told you so" that I would love to hear.
You went a little further with the comment that Stew doesn't have the guts for a quarterback controversy than I intended. If you read the rest of the comment, I talked about how public sentiment would be on Brown's side and even if I were coach and wanted to start Smith I'd blame it on Brown's injury. I did not intend to imply that Stew has less courage to make tough decisions than the average second year coach trying to establish himself at a school that is accustomed to success. It would take a unique coach to go with Smith over Brown at this point unless it is one that is well established and has no worries about the fan base turning against him. So, while I don't think Stew has the guts for a quarterback controversy, that is what I would expect from a coach in his situation and, for me, it really doesn't diminish him in any way. I have issues with Stew in a few areas, but I think he's a great guy and I'm not particularly bothered by his guts at this point.
My point about White's injury was not to suggest that Smith will be as good as White. It was merely to point out that it took an injury to another player to get what you called "WV's greatest QB" on the field full time. It appears Smith can do nothing to earn the starting job. The only way he can get it is if Brown gets hurt. That's the similarity. Side note: Major Harris vs. Pat White would be an interesting discussion for Greatest WV QB. I'd have to think about it before answering as opposed to the emotional response of Wayne who still lingers in love with the recently departed Pat White. At the very least I don't think it's fair to dismiss Harris and award it to White without thought.
I agree that Brown will be drafted in the NFL. NFL scouts covet size and strength and physical tools and Brown has all of that. To repeat your question Wayne, what does that have to do with who would be the better leader of this college football team? Nothing. The NFL is much different than college. They go on potential not performance, just look at Jamarcus Russell. He was the #1 player picked with all the physical tools you could want. However, if you can't read defenses and make accurate throws, you cannot succeed in the NFL. The teams will still take a chance that a player with the tools will develop those other skills. Russell has yet to do that and I doubt Brown will either. The comment reminds me of earlier in the decade at the University of Texas. The Longhorns had a quarterback who was a proven leader and winner, Major Applewhite. They also had a quarterback with all the physical tools that could light up defenses with inferior talent, Chris Simms. Simms went on to the NFL while Applewhite had no shot. Texas desperately wanted to hand the job to Simms despite the fact that he did not play well in big games against good teams. They did so in 2001. He threw 4 picks against the Sooners in a 14-3 loss early in the season. Then, late in the season when it looked like Texas could jump back into the national championship picture, he threw 3 against Colorado as the Texas got down big early. Enter Applewhite who led a valiant comeback that came up two points short. The Longhorns let Applewhite start the bowl game and he threw for 473 yards and 4 TD's in their win over Washington. All this is a nice story. The point is that a player can be a great college quarterback and never get a shot in the NFL or a player can be a disappointment in college (Simms had a nice career at Texas, but just couldn't get it done in the big games) and still be an NFL quarterback. The interest by NFL scouts in Brown doesn't mean anything when it comes time to line up on Saturdays.
As for Brown vs. Smith, I said I wasn't sure who gives WV the best chance to win. I wouldn't start Smith unless I thought he gave WV a better chance at success. I agree a 5th year senior would normally get the nod over a true freshman. However, there are few fifth year seniors that are as careless with the ball as Brown and few freshmen as capable as Smith. Still, I would acknowledge it's a tough decision and I'm fine with Brown starting. However, in all your ranting you failed to address Brown's turnover problems, like a politician sticking to his stump speech when asked a question that hits a little too close to home. There is no arguing that Brown is not a turnover machine. He holds the ball like Wayne holds a bottle of Bailey's after his 5th White Russian, sloppy (he's fumbled a couple of times with nobody around him). He sometimes feels like there should be equal opportunity between the offense and defense between who should have a chance to catch a ball. Those things make it Smith a little more intriguing.
As for Stew, I'll give him a chance. I'm certainly hoping he has great success and succeeds long term. I think the manner in which the WV athletic department hired him has hurt his public relations effort from the start. To say that he is not a candidate for the job the day of the bowl game and to hire him the next day is poor. It showed that it was an emotional hire, something big Wayne would do. That has made the choice questionable in the minds of many fans. If WV had said this was Stew's trial run and had hired him after the impressive bowl win, it may have been better for Stew. However, the athletic department put him in a bad spot. I still question if he can take the team back to the top 10 and consistently hang in the top 25, but I do think he should be given time until his recruits, including Smith, take over the team. His recruiting has been good, but then again, so has Zook's at Illinois, but that guy can't coach. My biggest disappointment with him is the area he coaches, special teams. The coverage team has been terrible all year. It's a little bit embarrassing since it's Stew's unit.
Overall, Brown and Stew are 6-1, which is not too shabby. Of course, they have one win against a team with a pulse as Ryan put it (the narrow escape against UConn) and the loss was against a poor Auburn team where Brown literally handed the game to them. 2-3 down the stretch is the most likely result as they start to play some good teams. However, if they can put it together and not turn the ball over, who knows, maybe it will be a magical season and a BCS bid in the end. For anyone who is predicting that, that is some "I told you so" that I would love to hear.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sports - Brown vs Smith debate
Here's a little uncut e-mail debate for WV fans to read between me and a much more knowledgeable WV fan (Ryan, I hope you don't mind my using your material, I saw no copyright):
I'm sticking with JB, and I have to assume that most WVU fans (>80%) would agree with me. I am not ready to give up on JB yet, he is still rough around the edges but deserves this shot. He is reckless at times but still gives us the best chance to win in my opinion. I agree that Smith is capable and his development would pay dividends next season but I don't think he wins more games than JB this season. I guess I feel loyal to JB given that he stuck around for 4 years and I still believe that he can get the job done.
I'm sticking with JB, and I have to assume that most WVU fans (>80%) would agree with me. I am not ready to give up on JB yet, he is still rough around the edges but deserves this shot. He is reckless at times but still gives us the best chance to win in my opinion. I agree that Smith is capable and his development would pay dividends next season but I don't think he wins more games than JB this season. I guess I feel loyal to JB given that he stuck around for 4 years and I still believe that he can get the job done.
I have a feeling Smith will be starting this weekend, so it will be interesting to see what he can do with a week to prepare and a gameplan designed for him. Once JB comes back though he is still the starter, I don't forsee a QB controversy.
Agreed no QB controversy because Stew doesn't have the guts for it. If I remember correctly, didn't it take an injury to get Pat White on the field full time? At this point I agree that you have to go with whoever gives you the best shot at winning. The Mountaineers are still in contention for the Big East title. I'm just not sure who that is. Both have risks. I wish both of them would run a little more. The QB has to be a running threat for the offense to be explosive. If I were the coach I'd start Smith this week and blame it on Brown's injury. If Brown is healthy enough to play, I'd suit him up just in case, but say we'd rather give him another week to heal. Then I'd be hoping that Smith played really well and wins over the public opinion so that I can hand him the job without a riot. Because right now I agree with you that >80% would vote the same way you did. Brown's turnovers have just been too much for me. He's proven to me that turnovers are the norm for him, not the exception.
Jason
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sports - Mountaineers 2009
The Mountaineers are back in the top 25 and Michigan and Notre Dame are unranked. That is enough to wake the slumbering blogger. Still, I'm not quite ready to go dancing in the streets yet. I'd say those latter two teams have better chances of finishing in the top 25 than the Mountaineers. So, let's enjoy it while it lasts.
A recap of the WV's 5-1 start will show that they have yet to play a decent team. Those of you who were fooled by Auburn's quick start should be approaching Earth now after Kentucky beat them at Auburn this past week. That preceded Auburn being spanked by Arkansas 44-23. This should come as little surprise to college football followers. Auburn did not look poised for a turnaround coming into the season and their win over WV was mostly due to Jarrett Brown's turnovers. I watched some of the Kentucky game and the Wildcats are much better than the Tigers. Auburn returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown and still lost by 7. Perhaps Colorado is turning it around as shown by a win at Kansas, but I doubt it. 5 of the 6 remaining teams are better than any team they have faced so far this year, Louisville being the exception. So, let's proceed with caution.
At the beginning of the season, I must confess I was drinking the Jarrett Brown juice. I was buying the hype about him being an NFL quarterback, being a great throwing quarterback and all the rest of the projections of praise. Now I am down on the senior. He is talented, but he is a turnover machine. He also lacked poise in the Auburn game when things started to turn against him. On the first drive of the game against Marshall he lost a fumble and got hurt. Enter Eugene Smith. The coaching staff played it close to the vest in the first half, but they opened up the playbook with him in the second and he responded well going 15 of 21 and most importantly not committing a single turnover. As a Mountaineer fan looking to the future, I admit I'd prefer to see Smith the rest of the way. I hope he gets the start against UConn and we see more of what he can do. I'm not saying WV would win more games with him this year than with Brown, but it could go either way. The scariest part about a Freshman QB is turnovers, and WV's senior quarterback has serious issues in that area anyway. Give the ball to Smith and see what happens.
As for the rest of the team, the defense is much better with Reed Williams on the field. If he can stay healthy, it's not a bad unit. It's not a defense that will fair well against Cincy, but it has a chance to play well or at least good enough in the rest of the games. The special teams continues to be a joke with penalties, turnovers, and poor coverage. Bill Stewart has clearly not mastered Beamer ball. Outside of the quarterback the offense is good, but not great. Devine is too small to run effectively between the tackles, though his quickness is unquestioned. The receivers are improving, but still not a strength of the team. Sanders, Starks, Lyons, and Arnett make a capable group and I like Freshman Tavon Austin, who can also run the ball. The coaching is disappointing, which is saying something since expectations are not high. The team seems flat and undisciplined way too often.
The summary of this team is that we don't know much yet. Their challenging part of the schedule is upcoming. I would expect a win over an underrated UConn team at home, but the Huskies will be playing with extra emotion this week. WV finally beat USF last year. Of course it was in December in Morgantown. At USF in late October looks less promising. Home versus Louisville should be a win followed by a loss at Cincy. WV could be 7-3 heading into the final two games which may define their season. The Mountaineers need to beat Pitt and get the monkey off their back. They host them over Thanksgiving weekend. Then WV finishes at Rutgers who typically improves throughout the season. WV is headed for another 8-4 season and a minor bowl.
A recap of the WV's 5-1 start will show that they have yet to play a decent team. Those of you who were fooled by Auburn's quick start should be approaching Earth now after Kentucky beat them at Auburn this past week. That preceded Auburn being spanked by Arkansas 44-23. This should come as little surprise to college football followers. Auburn did not look poised for a turnaround coming into the season and their win over WV was mostly due to Jarrett Brown's turnovers. I watched some of the Kentucky game and the Wildcats are much better than the Tigers. Auburn returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown and still lost by 7. Perhaps Colorado is turning it around as shown by a win at Kansas, but I doubt it. 5 of the 6 remaining teams are better than any team they have faced so far this year, Louisville being the exception. So, let's proceed with caution.
At the beginning of the season, I must confess I was drinking the Jarrett Brown juice. I was buying the hype about him being an NFL quarterback, being a great throwing quarterback and all the rest of the projections of praise. Now I am down on the senior. He is talented, but he is a turnover machine. He also lacked poise in the Auburn game when things started to turn against him. On the first drive of the game against Marshall he lost a fumble and got hurt. Enter Eugene Smith. The coaching staff played it close to the vest in the first half, but they opened up the playbook with him in the second and he responded well going 15 of 21 and most importantly not committing a single turnover. As a Mountaineer fan looking to the future, I admit I'd prefer to see Smith the rest of the way. I hope he gets the start against UConn and we see more of what he can do. I'm not saying WV would win more games with him this year than with Brown, but it could go either way. The scariest part about a Freshman QB is turnovers, and WV's senior quarterback has serious issues in that area anyway. Give the ball to Smith and see what happens.
As for the rest of the team, the defense is much better with Reed Williams on the field. If he can stay healthy, it's not a bad unit. It's not a defense that will fair well against Cincy, but it has a chance to play well or at least good enough in the rest of the games. The special teams continues to be a joke with penalties, turnovers, and poor coverage. Bill Stewart has clearly not mastered Beamer ball. Outside of the quarterback the offense is good, but not great. Devine is too small to run effectively between the tackles, though his quickness is unquestioned. The receivers are improving, but still not a strength of the team. Sanders, Starks, Lyons, and Arnett make a capable group and I like Freshman Tavon Austin, who can also run the ball. The coaching is disappointing, which is saying something since expectations are not high. The team seems flat and undisciplined way too often.
The summary of this team is that we don't know much yet. Their challenging part of the schedule is upcoming. I would expect a win over an underrated UConn team at home, but the Huskies will be playing with extra emotion this week. WV finally beat USF last year. Of course it was in December in Morgantown. At USF in late October looks less promising. Home versus Louisville should be a win followed by a loss at Cincy. WV could be 7-3 heading into the final two games which may define their season. The Mountaineers need to beat Pitt and get the monkey off their back. They host them over Thanksgiving weekend. Then WV finishes at Rutgers who typically improves throughout the season. WV is headed for another 8-4 season and a minor bowl.
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