The 2011 West Virginia Mountaineers: Big East College Football Preview and Prediction.
2011 NCAA Football Preview: Big East-West Virginia Mountaineers
Overview:
The off season for West Virginia football has been punctuated by controversy in the coaching ranks, some of which was arguably their own doing. Dana Holgorsen was hired to handle the offensive coordinator position under Bill Stewart and was to take over the program after one year. Some behind the scene actions by Stewart that essentially was making life difficult for Holgorsen ended with his dismissal so the coach of the future became the coach of the present. The question now is can he mold a talented offense in West Virginia in to the juggernauts he led at Houston and Oklahoma State and can he keep his own nose clean after alcohol related issues put him in the news as well for unneeded publicity.
Offense:
With the assembled talent the Mountaineers possess, the potential is there for Holgorsen to lead one of the best units he has ever had and that’s saying something. Geno Smith looks like the perfect fit at quarterback with and accurate arm that can move around as well. He’ll have plenty of quality targets to play catch with in Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Bradley Starks and Ivan McCartney and a returning cops of four experienced and talented lineman that shouldn’t have to worry about protecting Smith given his mobility and the design of the offense to get rid of the ball quickly. The one worry is at running back where the Mountaineers want a receiver/runner who can catch passes out of the backfield and run the ball with equal efficiency. Right now Shawne Alston appears to be that player with Andrew Buie expected to see field time as well.
Defense:
As good as the offense is projected to be, the WVU defense has been the top reason this team has succeeded in the past. Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel runs a 3-3-5 with great efficiency but has some issues coming in to 2011 with the loss of several talented players of which some are NFL bound. The defensive line will be counting on pass rusher extraordinaire Bruce Irvin who led the Big East with 14 sacks even though he seldom saw action outside of passing downs. He’ll team with DT Julian Miller who at a laughable 250 pounds will depend on quickness and speed to foil blocking assignments. Najee Goode is the only returning player of the line backing unit and Keith Tandy is back at cornerback to anchor the secondary so West Virginia does have several pieces of the puzzle in place. Finding the remainder has the team on edge but this team doesn’t suffer from a lack of talent and will have quality performers throughout by opening day.
Special Teams:
West Virginia is set at place kicker with first team All Big East selection Tyler Betancourt (13-15) back in 2011. Former Alabama transfer Corey Smith is penciled in as the everyday punter but is also a capable kickoff and field goal man. The Mountaineers were unremarkable in the return game and the spots look to be an open competition.
Prognosis:
Aside from the off season show with the coaching situation that had trouble written all over it from day one, the Mountaineers have all the ingredients for another strong showing in the Big East. If the defense remains their usual stingy self and the offense produces as expected than West Virginia will be a handful for not only conference opponents but anybody. I see Pittsburgh and South Florida as the major roadblocks to the Big East crown and this team is certainly in the running for the top spot.
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