Sep 6, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Rushel Shell (7) rushes the ball against the Towson Tigers during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Above Image: Univ. of West Virginia
Season Preview of West Virginia University out of Morgantown, WV.
West Virginia
Head Coach: Dana Holgorsen (4th year, 28-24)
Last Year: 7-6, Conference 5-4
A big season in Morgantown as the Hillbilly faithful have reason to be excited. Will the defense that Coach Dana Holgorsen has finally developed be effective and compliment an always dangerous offensive? The Mountianeers defense return 9 starters from a group that gave up over 30 points in 6 contests last year. Returning players it self does not insure wins. They might be good but they must do it on the field.
West Virginia’s 2015 campaign rests on its defense. They gave up over 27 points a game so the defense is still in a flux with those 9 returning starters. In 2013, West Virginia couldn’t stop anyone and with coaching changes and some new personnel improvement was made last year. Still, they gave up up 27 points a game and this group is looked upon as being loaded? Has WV sold this as a positive for 2015? But the proof will be on what they do on the field. When the tough gets going, I don’t think the Mountaineers will be able to stop the best offensives in the Big 12 and when it is all said and done, the defense will fold and teams like Baylor, Oklahoma, and Okie State will have come close to half a hundred.
The problem on defensive rests entirely on their pass rush. With a ranking of 99th last season, if the opposing passers are given time, they will again riddle a good secondary that comes back in tact. I don’t disagree that WV has players that will make plays on defense, but with high powered point a minute teams in the conference, an off day by either the offense by not keeping up, or the defense giving up too many big plays, will bring L’s. Karl Joseph is the main hitter east of the Mississippi and will play on Sunday. A dangerous man, always looking for the big hit, he will be a target and the game will be on. He likes to knock the snot out of offensive skilled guys. The total of the defense looks great on paper with better than average linebackers in Nick Kwiatoski, moving from the middle to the strong side and Jered Barber, injured in 2014, going to the middle. Barber led the Mountaineers in tackles in 2013. Final word on West Virginia’s defense. Some say Holgorsen will win with it this year. He will on some Saturdays. Other Saturdays, look for the scoreboard to ring up like a pinball machine against them.
Offense: It could be an off year for West Virginia with a lack of proven wide outs. But with Rushel Shell and Wendall Smallwood the rush game should be outstanding if the new offensive line blockers mesh with the three returning starters. QB Skyler Howard will get the start and will need some protection. When they are on, West Virginia will be tough to beat, especially at home Look for a typical Holgorsan offense with a little bit more run game. He must find consistent pass catchers. Holgorsen will put point on the scoreboard. Grade: B
Special teams: Placement Jack Lambert is a big time kicker. No one better in late game must make field goals to win a game. Punting of Nick O’Toole needs to be more consistent. The return game should be good with a number of possible choices.
The bottom line tells me that West Virginia is not a better team than TCU, Baylor, but are on the same level in many ways with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. To break through they have to win at least two of those four games and I just don’t see it. With the Okla. State game the only one played in Morgantown, you are looking at three conference loses and the Cowboys will be a toss-up, The Pokes have what WV doesn’t have, that being the best set of wide receivers in the league and OSU will be looking for payback. Four loses if you ask me with those teams. The good is that West Virginia can be competitive with everyone, including those four, and I expect them to win the rest of their schedule. 8-4 and 5-4 in conference, not what you want to hear in the hills of West Virginia. Yet, 9-3 is possible.
Improvement continues as the Mountaineers are definitely better than Texas, Kansas State and Texas Tech. That marks another year of moving up the ladder in the conference. And don’t forget, playing in Morgantown is a bugger. A tough venue and a home of a proud and winning football program.
