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.