WVU -v- USF

[WoVeU]

Well I was a bit disappointed, really, a rather boring game. This was the Mountaineers version of 3 yards and a cloud of dust. They pulled the 2 mode thing again on offense and defense. Seems to me of you are losing going into the half against the Eers you are in real trouble...the D is turned up in the 2nd. (But I have seen them reverse this a bit in the past...but the 2 modes is more obvious now, and they are more effective at it.)

I was hoping to gauge Devine's health and Sanders' to a degree as well. But they only gave him the ball 12 times, and about 1/2 of those was the hand-off in the middle...which it looks like they do just in case there is a seam, they don't seam to gap block for it all. He didn't do his crazy stuff so I am sure his toe is still some problem. I hope the ten days helps. I figure he won't practice again this week.

I'd have liked to have seen the D cranked up one more notch, but they played really well in their assignments. Still the more I see, the more I am sure it is the best D they have had, better than 07.

[Dossenator]

I thought the WV defense looked very good. They were in the backfield often, swarmed to the ball, and forced South Florida into bad plays (Int's, sacks, tackles for loss, etc). I was a little disappointed that WV did not punch the ball into the end zone a couple of times while in the red zone but when your d is playing that well 20 points is plenty.

WV is quickly becoming my favorite team not named the Arkansas Razorbacks.

[billybud]

USF is having offensive problems this year...WVU held them to FG's as did Syracuse. Syracuse had much more success running the ball against USF (178 yards). I was surprised that WVU had fewer than 80 rushing yards, but then again, if the passing game is working.....

[Vileborg]

That hook and lateral to Devine was fun to watch. Unfortunately, the rest of the game was pretty boring. They said it last night, looks like WVU is in the big east drivers seat.

[WoVeU]

That hook and lateral to Devine was fun to watch. Unfortunately, the rest of the game was pretty boring. They said it last night, looks like WVU is in the big east drivers seat.

Yeah, really only one or two exciting plays the rest was rather boring (on offense at least). Not good for building a following. (The D at least excited on me a dozen plays.)

[WoVeU]

USF is having offensive problems this year...WVU held them to FG's as did Syracuse. Syracuse had much more success running the ball against USF (178 yards). I was surprised that WVU had fewer than 80 rushing yards, but then again, if the passing game is working.....

I knew this year would be very different, but if you had told me they'd beat anybody above an FCS school w/ 80yds rushing...I had have been rolling on the floor. I can only think that Coach Stew may be a little gun shy. But after the LSU game and a quick logical/physics check that says you have an offense full of scat backs, it may have been part of the strategy. I worry the run game could get too rusty if they shy away for too long (so much depends on the offensive line being in synch.)

[billybud]

I like defensive games....most folks like shoot outs...but, hey...WVU's defense was playing very well.

[WoVeU]

I thought the WV defense looked very good. They were in the backfield often, swarmed to the ball, and forced South Florida into bad plays (Int's, sacks, tackles for loss, etc). I was a little disappointed that WV did not punch the ball into the end zone a couple of times while in the red zone but when your d is playing that well 20 points is plenty.

WV is quickly becoming my favorite team not named the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The D provided some entertainment, but I fell like I should apologize for the offensive scheme. I know I have found other teams to follow because of their style. I like Arkansas, Florida State, Boise State, Oregon, Stanford, and Air Force (Texas Tech and Tulsa in years past) and even (Lord, I hate to say it) TSUN when they were feasting on thread-bare defenses. I even liked to watch Louisville and Cincy when they were doing their thing well. I think the differentiation, to me it is one of the best aspects of CFB, I don't need to set back on watch 7 teams on Saturday that do the same thing.

It maybe one of the reasons I come to this board. I like many of the teams who have hardcore fans on this board. So it is easier to get excited with them.

[WoVeU]

I like defensive games....most folks like shoot outs...but, hey...WVU's defense was playing very well.

I like defensive games too, if they are the aggressive sort. The offense getting 2 yards, 2.5 yards, then 0 and punting gets a bit old. But sacks, tackles-for-losses and Ints are the real spice for me.

I have to watch my fanhood when speaking on WVU's offense, but I knew the D was really good. But to be honest, they still couldn't beat Florida State...they are exactly the style that can do best against them. They can run, but the full passing game with a QB that has mobility, can read, and throw AND has 4 or 5 guys on the field to toss it to...they'd give up too many 4.5 yard and 35 yarders. The 3-3-5 (and the way WVU bends it) is meant to cover 2 and 3 receivers depending on how they use the run game. They'd do far better against Ohio State and Oregon...literally 20 points difference easily. (Zone and even good zoned-man won't work too long against FSU, you have to be able to man up and spend most of the game in Cover 1. So you can't safety blitz 12 times a game and you need a good Mike LB and at least 1 DE that can cut off his side of the line to the roll out.)

That gets me thinking...who will best match-up against the Noles through the rest of the season?