Devin Ebanks named Big East and Oscar Robertson Player of the Week

With Devin's Point Scoring and Rebounding explosion this week, the accolades are now starting to come in. The Big East saw fit to name him as player of the week. With that nomination his name was placed into consideration for the Oscar Robertson Player of the Week. He was fortunate enough to receive that recognition as well.
(Clicking on the photo will take you to the Rivals.Com Stat Page)
2009-10 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week ● Week of Dec. 13: Gordon Hayward, Butler ● Week of Dec. 20: Jon Scheyer, Duke ● Week of Dec. 27: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia

As a nominee he is placed in the player of the year nominations for this prestigious award. It is hosted by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, the most comprehensive college basketball publication in the world. Anyway, some nice pub for Devin and this institution.

Additionally the team was named National Team of the Week by ESPN's Andy Katz. (Just click on photo to go to story.)
DaGeek

All Decade team announced...

John Antonik, new media director for the athletics department, released a story Sunday (MSNsportsNet.com) naming the Mountaineers' all-decade team from the first decade of the 21st Century (2000-present).

Pat White was the offensive player of the decade while linebacker Grant Wiley earned the defensive award.

The team
Defense
Defensive line: Ben Lynch, Keilen Dykes and John Dingle.
Linebackers: Reed Williams, James Davis and Wiley.
Secondary: Eric Wicks, Jahmile Addae, Mike Lorello, Pacman Jones and Ellis Lankster
Offense
Running backs: Steve Slaton and Avon Cobourne
Fullback: Owen Schmitt
Offensive line: Ryan Stanchek, Dan Mozes, Jeremy Sheffey, Greg Isdaner, Garin Justice
Wide receivers: Chris Henry (posthumously), Darius Reynaud
Kicker-punter: Pat McAfee.

That's an all-time team for an all-time decade. These players, coaches and support staff have rung up a 88-38 overall record with just one losing season during the decade.

I would have a tough time arguing with any of these picks.

Da Geek

Rutgers Weekend/ Avon Cobourne Grey Cup MVP!!!

Well sports fans it is now time to travel north to NJ to see if we can get our 9th win. What hangs in the balance for the season are the following:

1. A chance at a 10 win season.
2. Keeping the streak over Knights alive.
3. Gator Bowl Bid (truth is I am not sure that this is in doubt.)

I believe that this game will be a good one but quite frankly I think we will win by a couple of scores. I think that Rutgers much like our beloved EERs, a bit schizophrenic, depending on which personality shows up they are very good or very bad. This is a team that got crushed by Syracuse and Crushed South Florida. They are lead by youth this year on offense but this is the last game of the season they are no longer Freshman. They have one of the better Defenses in the Big East (again depending on which one shows up.) I think that when you do a side by side of the teams it will come down to who is more consistent in all three phases. This game believe it or not might very well be in the hands or more accurately the feet of our kickers. They will attempt to chop some wood this weekend. Run to set up Pass as their Coach has done since he has been there.

Good luck Eers!!!

On another note Avon Coubourne earned the MVP of the Grey Cup this past week.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," Montreal Alouettes running back Avon Cobourne told reporters in reference to the MVP award, with which he was presented after a 28-27 come-from-behind victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McMahon Stadium.

"It means more that we won the Cup. It may mean something (Monday), but right now, I promise you, I can't even understand it . . .

Well as Mountaineer Fans we sure appreciate all he did to become the Big East's all time leading rusher. A big congrats to his once again making the Mountaineer Nation very proud.

Da Geek

Titles; Honors and Just wanted to say again WE BEAT sPITT!!!

Well to say that this weekend in Mountaineer Sports was a success would be a mild understatement. Those of us that have been brought up on all things Mountaineer Sports would likely be satisfied that we simply Beat sPitt in Football. In addition to this most satisfying occasion were several other wonderful things...

1st Staying with Football: The Big East has seen fit to Honor Robert Sands with Big East Defensive Player of the Week; they also chose Tyler Bitancurt as the Big East Special Teams Player of the week. Noel Devine was an honorable mention as well.

Now to Basketball and in this Case I am going to go with Lady's first. They were able to earn 66-41 victory over Nevada in the Nugget Classic championship on Saturday evening at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nev. In the process now at (5-1) they were able to have two ladies honored and placed on all tournament team. Guard Sarah Miles was named to the team and "frosh star" Center Asya Bussie was named the Tourney's MVP. Way to go ladies. Keep in mind that this is a team that is very young and the future of Mountaineer Women's Basketball is very bright.


And if the rest of this news isn't good enough and if the late start wasn't past your bed-time you may know that the Men Likewise were crowned the champions of the 76 Classic. In the process of notching there 5th win in as many tries the Eers landed 2 players on the all Tourney team. First was Foward Kevin Jones and DeSean Butler who garnered MVP honors. Additionally, he is this week’s BIG EAST Player of the Week. This win over a game Portland team was quite entertaining and left some including myself just wanting more of the same. It is the first in-season tourney win for the Eers since 2001. Our recent wins also place us 7th in the AP; 8th in the Coaches Poll and #1 in real time RPI.


It has certainly been a great week to be a Mountaineer wherever you may be!!!

Da Geek

8th ranked Round-Ballers get a chance at the 76 championship tonight.

Well this wasn't the road I would have predicted for the Mountaineers to get to the championship game but it has worked out well so far. Oh and by the way Devin Ebanks is pretty good. Yes Eer Nation we shall get to see our full complement of talent on the Court tonight for the Championship game against Portland. Let us all check in on the game on ESPN 2 at 10:00. I am very excited at our opportunity this evening but I am also impressed by our opponent who on two consecutive nights destroyed UCLA 74-47 and then beat 16th ranked Minnesota yesterday as well. This should be a great game.

GO EERS!!!

Da Geek

How to salvage a season... and a reapearance into top 25?

That is pretty simple Beat sPitt and all seems to be better with the world. That is right Mountaineer nation the Eers went against the script of the press and upset their detested rivals from the North. How did it happen? Well a little thing called Defense came to life and demonstrated the maxim that "it" wins championships. Well no championship this year but at least we put those pesky panthers in there place. The Coaches Poll has seen fit to re-add us to its poll bringing us in at 23.

So what is at stake when we enter New Jersey next week? Well actually, a whole bunch. Since the pitiful Fighting-Irish have cooperated with us by losing their 6th game this year, the Gator Bowl is out for them. So that leaves CINCY WVU AND sPITT as the remaining contestants for participation. I really see only one scenario where we are in so here goes: WVU wins against Rutgers, and sPitt gives up its second loss in two weeks to Cincy. The Gator Bowl is not obligated to take the 2nd place team out of the Big East (or Notre Dame if within 2 wins of a Big East team... they are not) they have the second selection after the BCS makes its selection. If sPitt wins and gets the BCS birth I think that the Gator will be hard pressed not to take the Bear Cats. Thus a win at Rutgers isn't enough we need a win and a sPitt loss, but if that happens it is a New Years Day Bowl for us after all. And wouldn't it be grand to send a hopeful lot of panther fans to some other lessor teir bowl birth this year?

Da Geek

WVU 104 Mountain State 82

In case you have been in a cave for the last 2 years you are probably aware that Bob Huggins came to Morgantown and coaches the gold and blue roundballers. What I witnessed yesterday is the culmination of his coaching and recruiting. He has brought a different brand of basketball to the Mountain State. He has made solid defense the cornerstone of his philosophy. What he has now added to that is a team that can score with the ball too. I watched for the first time in my lifetime of watching WVU basketball a team with depth. By that I mean we have a team that really goes 10 men deep. Yesterdays starters were as follows: Butler, Smith,Bryant, Mitchell (Newcomer), and Devin Ebanks. For those keeping score that is 3 forwards and 2 guards. I would note that Joe Maz was being held out as a precaution (Huggs stated that he could have gone if necessary.) But that leaves the following to play from the bench. Kevin Jones (scored 20 and rebounded 10), John Flowers, Dalton Pepper (Newcomer), Joe Maz, and Newcomer Deniz Kilicli (Center who has been screwed by the NCAA for 20 games) Cam would be next off the bench then. I am excited because the talent doesn't end there. WVU boasts additional talent even behind that. This season could prove to be the most exciting in the Bob Huggins Era. I implore you fans to get to the Coliseum and watch these guys. There will be more to come, but I wanted to give the reader something to think about. Yesterday's exhibition was a wonderful display of things to come.

DaGeek

7 Wins 2 Losses BCS 25 What does it all mean?

Well normally I am an eternal optimist but I have to admit that this is an uneasy possition to be in. We have made ourselves "Bowl Bound" We shall get a bowl bid to somewhere. The fact that we didn't need to use the Liberty win to become qualified is I guess nice. Now back to my thoughts... We have an opertunity to go to a BCS bowl if we infact win out.

I think that this is a tall order. Cincinnati is far and a way the best coached team in our league. Coach Kelly simply schemes his teams in such a way that they become successful. He has the luxury of starting either QB and having similar results. He has a stable of receivers that can for the most part be interchanged and again give similar results. Obviously, this team has been able to put up points. Their D has given up several but that is not as much of a problem for them as they have as of yet scored more. Our offense will have to score in the high 30s to low 40s for the first time this season to defeat this team. While I am confident we have the talent to do this I am not sure we have the attitude to do this. We simply have not been able to put a team away or attack a team for 4 quarters all year. To beat the Bearcats this weekend we simply have no choice but to do just that.

Anyway, we have a shot to go to the BCS. We have a shot at 2nd place in the Big East. We have a shot a 3rd place to fith place in the Big East. Here are the Bowl possibilities as I see it right now: From the BCS the two likely locations would be the Sugar and the Orange. The Fiesta is going to be salivating at filling there boring Big 12 selection with Either TCU or Boise State. The Rose is not going to invite us to play in that game so that is out. Now what of the soon to be gone Gator Bowl? I would opine that the Big East will maintain its grip on this Bowl as Notre Dame has once again become Notre Lame. So that means that the Gator will get to select from the remaining eligible Big East teams. Only one of those teams travels WVU. So with a win over either sPitt or Cincy and Rutgers the Eers would likely be Jacksonville Bound. After that game though things get a little tricky to predict. The Mountaineers are the team that is most desired for selection by the remaining bowls over all of our Big East Brethren, however Notre Lame is in the Car Care tie in and thus would likely get the nod in that game. So that leaves the Toronto Bowl, and the St. Pete Bowl as the likely scenerios if we don't win at least 2 of the 3 remaining games. So what does it all mean? We have already done all we need to do to get invited to a the above bowl games so failing to win another game would yeild the same results as winning 1 of the remaining 3 however 2 wins and I think we are Gater Bound and 3 wins locks a BCS birth.

DaGeek

BIg East Preseason Poll.

Though we are all wrapped up in WVU's football campaign in the Big East, many of us have been eagerly awaiting the preseason basketball polls to see where Huggins' squad ends up. (starts out) Today the expectations have officially risen. The preseason coaches poll for the Big East has been released. You can find it and revel in the glory at the Big East website. WVU received 5 first place votes and finished a very close 2nd overall to Villanova. I haven't done any checking, but I speculate that this may be the first time WVU has ever received first place votes in the preseason poll. And these high expectations will certainly end a streak for WVU. Following is the preseason rankings and final finishing spot for the 'Eers in the Big East the last 5 years.

2005: WVU predicted 9th - Finished 7th

2006: WVU predicted 5th - finished 3rd

2007: WVU predicted 12th - finished 7th

2008: WVU predicted 10th - finished 5th

2009: WVU predicted 9th - finished 5th

WVU has finished at least 2 spots ahead at the end of the season than the coaches predicted in the preseason. Obviously that can't happen this year, but I'd settle for just the one spot that's available.

Breakdown for Huskies' Tilt

First and foremost the game takes on a somber note with the passing of UConn d-back, Jasper Howard. As said below, everyone here at DaGeek's Blog will keep his family and the UConn team in our thoughts and prayers.

Now for an evaluation of this game. It appears that JB will be a game time decision. And the status for Scooter Berry is likewise uncertain. Otherwise the Eers are relatively healthy.

UConn clearly has one of the classiest and talented coaches in the Big East, Randy Edsell. He knows how to win games and continues to field teams that have done very well in the Big East play. His basic philosophy appears to be to do it the old fashioned way, run it down your throat and beat you with defense.

Until last week, UConn had a stingy rushing defense but they got gashed for a bundle of yards against Louisville. However, they continue to boast the two running back, 5 yards per carry threat of: Andre Dixon who has 123 carries this season with 616 yards scoring 7 touchdowns, and Jordan Todman who has carried the ball 100 times for 502 yards scoring 6 touchdowns. That should get Coach Casty's attention. While UConn has been pretty "one dimensional," they do that very, very well. WVU boasts the number 7 Rush Defense. Clearly something has to give.

As for the less used passing attack look out for senior WR Mar­cus Easley (#29). He has emerged as their most impressive receiving talent. He has 10 receptions for 234 yards and 2 TDs. UConn also has a serviceable Kicker who has placed 6 footballs through the goal posts for field goals and a perfect 22 of 22 on extra-points. His long this year is 49 yards. Bottom line UConn has the type of team that can grind you out and win the close one.

I would opine the key to success against them would simply be to score early and often. While not an easy task, we have the skill players to do just that. The one thing that we simply can't do is give them short fields because of penalties and turnovers. They will make us pay for those transgressions. Historically we are undefeated against UConn.

This game is a scary game on the schedule. It should be a bruiser slobber knocking type of game that any Steeler fan would love. I am excited to see how the Mountaineer team will perform with this kind of challenge.

DaGeek

Week 8 Blog Poll

1. Florida (1)(6-0)93
2. Iowa (1)(7-0)90
3. BAMA (1)(7-0)87
(tie)Texas87 (6-0)
5. Cincinnati (1)(6-0)83
6. Miami (5-1)73
7. Texas Christian (5-0)70
8. Oregon (6-1)67
(tie)LSU (5-1)67
10. Boise State (7-0)64
11. USC (6-1)59
12. Ga Tech (6-1)57
13. Va Tech (5-2)50
14. WVU (5-1) 49
15. Penn State (6-1)36
16. sPitt (6-1)35
17. Arizona (4-2)30
18. Ok State (5-1)28
19. BYU (5-1)26
20. South Florida (5-1)25
21. South Carolina (5-2)24
22. Nebraska (5-2)18
23. Utah (5-1)16
24. California (5-2)15
25. Texas Tech (4-2)10

Others receiving votes: Missouri (4-2)9; Houston (5-1)7; tOSU (5-2); Oklahoma (4-3)6; Notre Dame (5-2)5; UConn (4-2)3; Ole Miss (4-2)2; Kansas (4-2)2; Oregon St. (5-1)1

UConn CB Jasper Howard killed in stabbing. Condolences on behalf of West Virginia concerning this tragic event.

This casts a pall over the upcoming game, but more importantly is a horrible tragedy for his family. R.I.P.

Basketballers take to Court tonight. Associates of Carbon Bowl to Kickoff tomorrow, why WVU shall prevail.

We are now at the Mid-point of one season and the beginning of another. I am excited at the prospects for both teams. The Gridders have only to play to their potential tomorrow and that should be enough for a 5-1 start. The Roundballers need only show up tonight and I am sure the Colosseum crowd will be very entertained. The theme for this post is optimism. We have a team in a true Big East Hunt in Football and in Basketball as well.

While more detailed information shall follow regarding the basketball team it is important to note that this team will be deeper and more talented that we have seen in a very long time. Some points to make our all everything sophomore forwards are about 35 lean pounds heavier than they were last year. Our guard play should improve as well. We have some more Frosh players and JC players that could mean that our starters can play meaningful well rested minutes for the first time in years. Bottom line is that this team is limited by itself and nothing else. Will the Big East be a tall order? Absolutely! Coach Huggs is ready for us to be in Elite company and sees us competing for that title as well as the NCAA title.

Now on to the "if only a little more pressure I would be a diamond bowl." Yes I am not a fan of the name of this game. However, I am looking forward to the second week in a row of offensive success with no turnovers. The Mountaineers have won all eight meetings against the Thundering Herd. I see tomorrow's rendition of this series being much the same.

Marshall boasts a 4-2 record coming into this tilt. They have an explosive running back. In fact, On Saturday, two of the top three running backs in the nation will square off. Darius Marshall's 147.40 rushing yards per game ranks second nationally, while Noel Devine's average of 126.20 YPG is third. Hopefully at the end of this game Noel can rush past Darius tomorrow in the national rankings. The Herd posts a pretty forgiving defense (ranks 90th overall), but a real desire to unseat the king of West Virginia Football. Coach, Mark Snyder will have a game-plan to win for sure, but I anticipate talent being the turning point in this game. The Mountaineers simply have too many slugs in the Muskett for the Herd. Simply stated this game will not be close. I predict a 26 point margin at games end. I am looking forward to freezing my hindquarters off as I witness this beat down in Motown. I am also excited to see our starters watching the game with me as they are done at the end of the 3rd quarter. Yes my Mountaineer nation, I am very optimistic that at the close of the 4th quarter Country Roads will be music to my ears and Eers. WVU 39 Marshall 13.

Da Geek

WEEK 7 Blog Poll:

1. Florida(1)(5-0)95

2. Alabama(2)(6-0)94

3. VPI(1)(5-1)90

4. Texas(5-0)87

5. Iowa(6-0)77

6. Cincinnati(5-0)72

7. Oregon(5-1)68

8. Miami(4-1)66

9. LSU(4-1)61

10. Ohio St(5-1)59

10. Boise St(6-0)59

12. USC(5-1)56

13. TCU(5-0)55

14. Nebraska(4-1)50

15. USF(5-0)45

16. Penn St(5-1)42

17. WVU(4-1)39

18. USCar(5-1)35

19. Oklahoma St(4-2)28

20. GT(5-1)24

21. Utah(4-1)22

22. Kansas(4-1)19

23. Missouri(4-1)17

24. BYU(4-1)13

25. Wisconsin(5-1)10

Others receiving votes: Pitt(5-1)09, Notre Dame(5-1)05,Oklahoma(3-2)04,Auburn (5-1)01,MSU(5-1)01

3 Pre-season Basketball accolades for you to consider:

I don't normally interrupt the football season with blurbs from anything outside of football but with the hype/hope being generated around this years version of the Mountaineer Basketball team it was simply too hard not to comment. Below are three reasons to be watching:

1. The Sporting News has us picked as the top Big East team in its poll and the 5th overall pick in the nation. 2. ESPN's Dick Vitale has the Eers coming in at number 9. "I know, I know. The college basketball season doesn't start for several months. But I am so excited about the 2009-10 season. People come up to me and ask if I think their favorite team will do well. ... 9. West Virginia: Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler lead a tough Mountaineer squad. Bob Huggins believes he can contend for a Big East title."

3. West Virginia has two of the Big East's 11 players on the 2009-10 preseason list for the John R. Wooden Award All-American Team and Player of the Year trophy.

I don't know about the rest of you but I for one am excited. Preseason drills have begun and the anticipation for the first tip off is great. With non-conference games against Ohio State, Ole Miss, Duquesne, Coppin State and Loyola at home; Marshall and the Citadel in Charleston; and Purdue and Cleveland State away as well as the Big East Slate; what is not to be excited about? The fact is that we are in store for something special.

DaGeek

2 Eers honored in weekly Big East awards.

BIG EAST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Scott Kozlowski • Sr. • P • West Virginia • West Palm Beach, Fla.
Kozlowski helped protect the Mountaineers' 35-24 win against Colorado by averaging 48 yards on four punts with a long of 56 yards. He hit two third-quarter punts from inside the West Virginia 20 that tipped the field position battle to Colorado's side of the field and pinned the Buffaloes on their own 8-yard line on a fourth-quarter kick.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Noel Devine (photo from AP), RB, West Virginia - Ran for a career-high 220 yards with a touchdown on 22 carries in a 35-24 win against Colorado.

Nice job fellas. I personally think that Noel's performance was better than sPitt's Stuhl but I digress. We are proud of both of these Eers.

DaGeek

Congrats to Mountaineers in NFL:

Congratulations to Owen Schmitt and Steve Slaton. Both scored touchdowns in this weekend's games.

Owen Schmitt caught two pases for 3 yards one of them being for a 2 yard touchdown against the Indy Colts.

Steve Slaten carried the ball 21 times for 65 yards one being a 32 yard TD. He also caught 2 passes for 24 yards with one being a 12 yard touchdown.

Way to go guys!!!

DaGeek

Week 6 Blog Poll

Rnk. School(1st)Record,points from voters.
1. Florida(2) 4-0, 93
2. Texas 4-0, 92
3. Alabama(1) 5-0, 88
4. Virginia Tech 4-1, 81
5. IOWA(1) 5-0,77
6. TCU 4-0,74
7. LSU 5-0,70
8. Cincy 5-0, 67
9. Miami 3-1,66
10. Boise 5-0,56
11. Oregon 4-1,48
12. Auburn 5-0,47
13. tOSU 4-1,45
14. USC (West) 4-1,44
15. PSU 4-1,35
16. USF 5-0,34
17. WVU 3-1,33
18. USC (East) 4-1,31
19. Kansas 4-0,26
20. Arizona 3-1,23
21. BYU 4-1,22
22. Oklahoma St. 3-1,18
23. Missouri 4-0,17
24. UCLA 3-1,16
tie Ga. Tech 4-1,16

Others receiving votes: Uconn 3-1,15; Ole Miss 3-1,14; Nebraska 3-1, 14; Wisconson 5-0,12;
UTAH 3-1,10; Rutgers 3-1,7; Oklahoma 2-2,04; UGA 3-2,3; Stanford 4-1,2

Shame on me?

First of all, let me admit that I have not been Coach Stewart's biggest fan. I was abhorred by last year's kickoff coverage and inability to develop a fullback to help us in short yardage. I also felt like our offensive game plan lacked comprehensiveness. I did defend the staff, however, and admit that they deserved time to learn to work together and run their own team. Now, over the beginning portion of this season, I believe that this group is beginning to gel. While the loss to Auburn is disappointing, and last night's victory over Colorado should have been more impressive, this staff has appeared to have corrected past problems and developed quite an explosive offense.

Of course, things aren't perfect in Mountaineerland. Ball security is obviously a big problem. Now let me first say that I am a big fan of Jarrett Brown. He has a cannon for an arm and is unbelievably athletic. Additionally, he has ideal size to succeed at the next level. Unfortunately, what he doesn't have right now is a lot of experience. It has largely been his poor decision making that has kept us from blowing up the scoreboard. Of course he is also a major reason we have 3 wins right now. But let's give Mullen some credit too. If we hold on to the ball a little better and JB stops taking too many 13 yard sacks, we are going to be difficult for anybody to stop.

Week 5 Blog Poll

1. Florida (2) 82
2. Virginia Tech 81
3. Alabama (1) 80
4. LSU 78
Texas 78
6. Iowa (1) 75
7. Texas Christian 74
8. Cincinnati 63
9. Boise State 61
10. Oregon 55
11. Georgia 54
12. Houston 49
USC 49
14. Michigan 41
15. South Carolina 35
16. Oklahoma 32
Penn State 32
18. Auburn 29
19. Kansas 27
20. Miami 25
21. BYU 23
22. Arizona 22
23. South Florida 21
24. UCLA 18
25. West Virginia 15
tOSU 15

Others Receiving votes: Minnesota 14, North Carolina 13, Oklahoma State 12, Missouri 12, Georgia Tech 06, Connecticut 05, Ole Miss 04, Utah 04, Cal 03

Basketball Pre-Season

I know it's early. But I thought I'd jump at the chance with football having an idle week to look at what's coming. In the next couple of weeks all the big publications will be coming out with the pre-season basketball picks. I just looked online, Andy Katz has the Mountaineers at #9 competing with Villanova (#4) for Big East supremacy.

I have to admit, I'm a little giddy with excitement about the upcoming season. If we can get consistent play from the point (on and off the court) I think we can compete with anyone. I know Joe was re-instated, anyone know the status of Bryant? Devin Ebanks is already starting to see the pub. I hope he and Da'Sean can keep their heads about them as the spotlight gets brighter. I haven't seen many Ebanks interviews but his body language on court has always been very cool and level headed. Butler seems more of a candidate show his emotions and have ups and downs.

Looking forward to season, should be a lot of fun to watch.

War Eagle snatches victory from Mountaineers!!!

Lot's to be said about this game. WVU played very well at times. Auburn was very opportunistic and executed when it mattered. My hope is that this game becomes a learning experience for our quarterback. All is not lost with this loss. We got to see the best of the WVU and the least desirable. I said in my analysis of the game earlier this week that if WVU executes WVU wins. I stand by that statement. When we executed we dominated. When we had miscues they were costly. We need this team to come home, practice hard, eliminate miscues and prepare for a very entertaining season to come. Buffs are next on list so lets go get them.

DaGeek

Week 3 Blog Poll

1. Florida (4) 100 (2-0)
2. Texas 91 (2-0)
USC 91 (2-0)
4. Bama 86 (2-0)
5 PSU 83 (2-0)
6. Ole Miss 78 (2-0)
7. LSU 75 (2-0)
8. BYU 74 (2-0)
9. Cal 72 (2-0)
10. tOSU 58 (1-1)
11. TCU 52 (2-0)
12. Ga Tech 51 (2-0)
Cinci 51 (2-0)
14. Boise ST49 (2-0)
15. Utah 48 (2-0)
16. VPI 46 (1-1)
17. OU 45 (1-1)
18. WVU 34 (2-0)
19. Nebraska 28 (2-0)
20. Houston 27 (2-0)
21. Miami 25 (2-0)
22. UNC 21 (2-0)
23. OkySt 18 (1-1)
24. Oregon St15 (2-0)
25. Kansas 11 (2-0)

Others receiving points in poll:
Missouri 10, sPitt 10, UGA 07, Michigan 04, USAFA 03, USF 03, Baylor 02, Auburn 01
New Comers: Nebraska, Houston, Oregon St., Kansas
Falling out of Poll:
FSU, USF, sPitt

Well it is back down South for the Mountaineers!!! Some football against SEC... Auburn here we come.

This game to me is pretty simple. We execute our offense we win. Auburn is built for Defense and for speed at skill on offense. They have a solid offensive line. I however believe that our offense can outscore theirs. The question comes down to execution. I don't think we can continue to get the penalties that we have accumulated over the last two weeks. I don't think that we can go backwards much at all in this game. However, I think we have a special quarterback and some stellar players at the skill positions. This leads me to believe that "SEC speed" is nothing to get too worked up about.

What this weekend is for the Mountaineers is the same that it is for most of the Big East, an opportunity to shine in the spotlight. In recent history, Mountaineer nation has been blessed with some entertaining and successful displays of football versus the SEC. Let us hope that that run continues in Alabama on Saturday night (7:45 kickoff). We are given only so many chances to shine out of conference and on the big stage. Mr. Brown and the men need to take this chance and vault us back into the national spotlight. A WVU win would mean that we have legitimize ourselves yet again and it would make those pollsters begrudgingly take notice of us.

I predict success. The "Queen Car­i­oca " from the SignalCaller.com calls for a 26 24 WVU win. I say that the final score of Saturdays game will be Eers 38 Tigers 24.

DaGeek

East Carolina

Just a thought on E. Carolina. After watching us strugle against their offense the past couple of years and even watching our offense with White and Slaton struggle, I was thinking what do we have to do differently strategically against this team?

I think the answer on the defensive side lies with getting to Pinkney. He was able to dink and dunk pass up and down the field last year. He's mobile and buys time with his feet. He doesn't throw long accurately, but he's good for 10 yds. So it seems to me with have to contain him first. Then we have to put pressure on with varying blitz packages. ECUs quick little scat backs are more likely to swing out to the flats than to stay in on protection so timing is everything. JT Thomas should be lining up all over the place and blitzing as often as he drops back into coverage.

Offense is a much different story. Rich Rod would continue to bang his head against the wall until something finally broke. It was usually Slaton or White on a long run. ECU seemed to be able to contain. (along with Pitt, but I digress). The smaller quicker defenses, including ECU and South Florida need to be attacked vertically. Run the ball down hill. I think we've already got a glimpse of this in week 1 lining up with a fullback. What a concept?! It worked on a couple of short yardage situations against Liberty but this isn't Liberty. This week should be a sign of things to come against Colorado, Auburn and Syracuse in the coming weeks. Say what you want about Auburn and Syracuse but defense wasn't their former coaches weaknesses!

Word is we have a number of big name recruits coming this weekend (Rivals Radio). This is an important game for this year and probably for a few to come.

Week 2 Blog Poll

1. Florida 100(4) (1-0)

2. OkySt 86 (1-0)

3. Bama 81 (1-0)

4. Texas 80 (1-0)

5. PSU 78 (1-0)

USC 78 (1-0)

7. LSU 73 (1-0)

8. tOSU 62 (1-0)

BYU 62 (1-0)

10. Ole Miss59 (1-0)

11. Boise ST55 (1-0)

l2. Utah 52 (1-0)

13. Cal 49 (1-0)

14. Cinci 47 (1-0)

15. WVU 37 (1-0)

16. VPI 36 (0-1)

TCU 36 (1-0)

18. OU 34 (0-1)

19. Ga Tech29 (1-0)

20. UNC 26 (1-0)

21. Miami 25 (1-0)

22. sPitt 27 (1-0)

23. USF 19 (1-0)

UGA 19 (0-1)

25. Flor St.08 (0-1)

Receiving Points: Oregon St 06,USAFA05, Mich State04,Nebraska04,ND03