West Virginia-LSU Preview

[wvjohn]

Per- ESPN

West Virginia isn't known for a prolific air attack, but its passing game is a big reason why the team is off to a strong start.

The lack of one is what has LSU fans concerned despite an unbeaten record.

This Saturday night matchup is the biggest potential stumbling block to a possible perfect season for the 22nd-ranked Mountaineers, who will try to hand the No. 15 Tigers their first non-conference loss at Baton Rouge in a decade.

"LSU is a great tradition and a great venue. It is a big showcase for college football and it is a chance for the Mountaineers to go down and see how we measure up," coach Bill Stewart said. "Teams have not been too successful down there in Tiger Country, and maybe we will be blessed a little bit better."

No team outside the SEC has won there since UAB on Sept. 23, 2000, with LSU since winning all 28 home games against non-conference foes. The Tigers also are riding the longest overall non-conference win streak in the nation, taking 30 in a row since a 2002 season-opening loss at Virginia Tech.

However, the Tigers (3-0) have looked a bit vulnerable this year -- their opponent was within one score well into the second half of all three games -- partly because the passing game hasn't gotten on track.

Big things were expected of quarterback Jordan Jefferson in his second season as the starter, but he's the 10th-rated passer in the SEC and has failed to throw for 100 yards in back-to-back games.

"As a receiving corps, we have things we have to work on. It's not all Jordan," wideout Russell Shepard said.

An emerging group of receivers is a key reason West Virginia (3-0) could win at Tiger Stadium and jump into the national title picture. LSU is the only current Top 25 team on the Mountaineers' schedule and their only other remaining opponent which hasn't lost is Rutgers.

"I'm really pumped up to see what I can do and see what the team can do," said Tavon Austin, the Big East's leading receiver with 21 catches and 281 yards. "It's going to be something down there (in Baton Rouge)."

Austin and fellow first-year starter Stedman Bailey, who had two touchdown receptions in a 31-17 win over Maryland last Saturday, have teamed with senior Jock Sanders to give sophomore Geno Smith plenty of capable targets.

Smith is the Big East's top-rated quarterback and leads the conference with 800 yards passing. No West Virginia player has led the Big East in that category since Marc Bulger in 1998, mainly because the offense has been built around a ground game led by star rushers like Noel Devine and Steve Slaton as well as mobile quarterbacks Pat White and Rasheed Marshall.

"I think their quarterback is a very, very talented guy," LSU coach Les Miles said of Smith. "I think that he gives them every opportunity at success in the offense that they are running."

Smith is also helped by opposing defenses focusing heavily on Devine. The nation's active rushing leader with 3,735 yards, Devine has run for more than 100 yards in all three games and has added 13 receptions for 89 yards.

LSU has a good rushing attack led by Stevan Ridley, who has run for 318 yards, but he is facing a West Virginia defense that is holding opponents to 62.7 rushing yards per game -- eighth-best nationally.

That may mean Jefferson needs to step up, but the Mountaineers pass defense could get a boost if Stewart reinstates senior cornerback Brandon Hogan. The all-Big East first-team selection was allowed to practice Tuesday for the first time since being suspended indefinitely for a drunken driving arrest earlier this month.

While West Virginia has won five of six against ranked teams, the Tigers have dropped their last three home games versus Top 25 foes. These programs are meeting for the first time.

[wvjohn]

Against All Odds

By Thomas Johns
SouthernPigskin.com Contributor


"Let's bring on the Mountaineers".

For some fans from the ACC and a even a few like Auburn and Mississippi State from the SEC, you've heard that before. In front of some 70,000 screaming WVU fans, at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown when the Mountaineer football team takes the field the announcer brings the WVU fans to their feet to cheer on their team when they take the field.

In Morgantown, West Virginia on gameday, it's a festive, loud and at times intimidating place for opposing teams. Last weekend against Maryland, at times the crowd took over the game forcing Maryland into several false starts and delay of game calls. So much so Maryland players and coaches commented that the crowd played a big role in the Mountaineers dismantling of the Terps 31-17.

Not to pull any punches but the reality is Mountaineer Field is perhaps the most intimidating place to play for opposing teams in the northeast. The reputation of Mountaineer Field goes back years including current Miami head coach Randy Shannon getting hit with a garbage which came flying down from the second level as the Canes where leaving the field. Virginia Tech refuses to schedule WVU mostly because the alumni base that follows VT had such horrible experiences in Morgantown when WVU and VT annually played one another in the Big East.

Loud crowds, hostile fans and all night tailgating is common place in Morgantown. However, the former nation's number one party school with a great gameday reputation WVU is about to be introduced to Death Valley or a WVU home crowd on steroids. And the question is how will the young Mountaineers behind their new explosive quarterback Geno Smith react?

After a sluggish opening game against North Carolina in Atlanta, LSU has rebounded with two strong showings including last week when the Tigers beat Mississippi State 27-9. This weekend the Tigers entertain WVU in what will be both teams toughest tests to date. Both teams sit 3-0, both teams offer up stingy defenses and both teams have rabid fan bases that rival nobody. But perhaps themselves.

In what is being billed as a classic match-up of WVU's blazing speed on offense verses LSU's punch you in your mouth defense. The perfect set up, the perfect match-up.

Defensively LSU is loaded. Lead by Heisman Trophy hopeful cornerback Patrick Peterson and pretty much every other 5 star recruit that plays defense at LSU, the Tigers defense is stout. The Tigers are so deep and good defensively, defensive tackle Drake Nevis, a virtual nobody on the national scene at the start of the season has been the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and frankly been unblockable over the past two games. With linebackers that are as cerebal as they are skilled, LSU will offer up a shut down defense. It's no secret, WVU coach Bill Stewart knows it. He knew it as soon as he popped in the tape.

Offensively the Mountaineers are fast. Perhaps even faster than the SEC teams that LSU's defense will face week in and week out down the stretch this season.

Led by sophomore quarterback Geno Smith who has thrown for 800 yards and seven touchdowns through the first three games, WVU's offense is explosive because of the match-up problems they offer up to opposing defensive coordinators. Running back Noel Devine, who it seems like has played at WVU since the Don Nehlen era has returned for his final year. The ultra-explosive Devine is a game changer. However what separates WVU from being really good to mega explosive are the guys around Smith and Devine.

Jock Sanders is a Devine clone. Short and squatty, Sanders has run sub 4.4 and like Devine returned this season after considering the NFL last spring. Equally if not more explosive than both Devine and Sanders, receiver Tavon Austin looks like a young Devine. Austin is the next in line at WVU following former Mountaineer Steve Slaton and the current Devine. Austin is a nightmare to touch in space.

With Smith being incredibly efficient early this season, and Devine, Sanders and Austin spreading the field, WVU's offense gave their rowdy fans a glimpse of what they hope is to come last week against Maryland blowing out the Terp's early in route to a 28-0 lead.

So on paper the match-up is set right? WVU skilled offense verses LSU's shut down defense.

Nope! Don't believe the pre-game hype. This out of conference circus Saturday in Death Valley will come down to WVU's vastly underrated defense verses LSU's struggling offense. Take that to the bank...

It's no secret LSU has struggled on offense. Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson has been very popular on the sports talk radio circuit this early season and it hasn't been all good. On the year Jefferson has put up modest numbers including throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns with two picks. The reality is Jefferson has been ok. Not real good, but ok.

Last week verses Mississippi State the Tigers relied on five field goals and a great defensive effort to beat Mississippi State. And all WVU aside, as the SEC schedule kicks in after this weekend it's obvious the Tigers have some problems on offense.

Meanwhile WVU returned nine starters on defense from last year and have been more than efficient all season. Led by 6'5" 230 pound safety Robert Sands, 300 pound defensive tackle's Scooter Berry and Chris Nield and edge rushers Julian Miller and Bruce Irvin, the Mountaineers defense is loaded. Last weekend against Maryland the WVU defense recorded 8 sacks and the Maryland QB was under intense pressure all game.

So it appears although the sexy match-up is LSU's defense verses Noel Devine and the explosive Mountaineer offense, in reality the battle will come down to LSU moving the ball against WVU's defense and scoring enough points to win at home.

LSU's Les Miles said yesterday the Tigers plan to air it out Saturday night. With WVU's best corner Brandon Hogan suspended, and new starting cornerback Pat Miller being introduced to big time college football last week giving up two scores, obviously Miller has a big target on his back. No surprise Miles plan is to throw it. The question is can LSU's improving offensive line protect Jordan Jefferson long enough for him to find LSU's receivers? Time will tell but against a defense like WVU's who is strong, very strong against the rush it appears beating WVU over top is a feasible plan.

A rowdy fan base, in Baton Rouge they already are chanting "Let's bring on the Mountaineers". In Morgantown the Mountaineer team is preparing for another out of conference game like Georgia and Oklahoma a few years ago where nobody gives them a chance. Nobody but themselves. And judging by their 15 point 4th quarter comeback against Marshall earlier this season, they aren't fazed at all. In fact, looking forward to the challenge.

It's going to be a battle in Death Valley. Crazy cajuns, equally crazy hillbillies but not as many. LSU does not lose at Death Valley. WVU has proven to be a monster slayer with huge wins over the past few years. Oh boy this is can't miss TV.

[wvjohn]

Just exactly who lines up for the WVU football team on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., is yet to be determined. But head coach Bill Stewart said two Mountaineers that have missed at least part of the season to date might be in action against No. 15 LSU.

That may include cornerback Brandon Hogan, who was held out of last Saturday’s 31-17 win over Maryland after being suspended by Stewart following an arrest for DUI less than two weeks ago.
Stewart said Hogan would practice with his West Virginia teammates Tuesday and through the rest of the week. He also said the senior would definitely be part of the squad that travels to Baton Rouge for the game.

As to whether that translates to time on the field, Stewart said that determination would not be made until Saturday.

“I’ll watch him in practice to see how he goes,” said the third-year head coach. “I’m not trying to make light of it, but it’s an evaluation. I don’t know that he’ll play this week and I don’t know that he won’t play. If he is to play this week, he’ll have earned the right to play according to my standards and my standards alone.”

Hogan’s return could bolster the No. 22 Mountaineers’ pass defense, which gave up touchdown passes of 60 and 80 yards to Maryland in his absence last Saturday.

[billybud]

Methinks that Stew wants a win more than he wants to punish a player for his second DUI offense.

LSU says that they will air it out so Stew will unsuspend his number one cover corner. If it was UNLV on the schedule, Hogan might be out for the game.

[WoVeU]

LSU...air it out????

Has Miles seen his QB?

[WoVeU]

WVU 31
LSU 6

...late 3rd quarter. Then LSU will get 13 more points on the board before the end of the game.