204 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

I'll be providing a larger preview on Thursday, but here was my small write-up on West Virginia:

 

Game Three: vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

2014 Record: 1-1 (0-0 Big 12 Conference)

2013 Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12 Conference)

 

Dana Holgorsen enters his fourth season as the head coach of West Virginia, and he is searching for answers after a brutal 4-8 record last season. The team ranked, as usual, near the bottom of the pack in defense, but were simply average offensively. The “Air Raid” attack that Holgorsen has used in each of his years in Morgantown was flat. The defense had shown signs of life early in the season under defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, but ended up disappointing yet again.

 

The team has hired a new defensive coordinator this season, as Tony Gibson was promoted from his position as the safety coach. They will continue to run a 3-4 defense, a rare occurrence in college football today. Despite a bad season last year, Dana Holgorsen will likely be the head coach in Morgantown for awhile. Before the 2012 season, he was given a six-year contract extension. The quarterback position will be unclear once again for the Mountaineers, who are likely looking at a two-man race between Clint Trickett and Paul Millard. Ford Childress, who started against Maryland last season, has transferred to a junior college in Texas.

 

Since the time that I wrote that, West Virginia's quarterback position has become clearer. Clint Trickett is the team's starter, and has gone 64/85 for 713 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He's also rushed 7 times for 3 yards and 1 touchdown.

 

For reference, here are Maryland's game notes for this week: https://www.nmnathle...DB_OEM_ID=29700

 

There are no changes to Maryland's two-deep this week.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Testudo Times: Maryland unveils new 'Star-Spangled Banner' themed uniforms for West Virginia game

http://www.testudoti...r-west-virginia

 

The logo on the helmet and pant features the outline of Fort McHenry and an image of the famous flag that flew through the night of the Battle, which inspired our national anthem. Additionally, team captains will don red belts as American military captains did during the Battle.

 

 

 

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports Illustrated: Rising Stars (Video) Diggs

http://www.si.com/co...yland-terrapins

[BSLChrisStoner]

Testudo Times: Behind enemy lines with the West Virginia Mountaineers

http://www.testudoti...irginia-preview

[BSLChrisStoner]

"We're a road team this week that Maryland put in a petition to be able to wear white, because they unveiled some new, fancy uniforms. We said 'fine, we don't care. That's good for you."

Coach Holgorsen's Weekly Press Conference

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Post: With West Virginia approaching Maryland emphasizes ball security

http://www.washingto...-ball-security/

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth's Matt Brown (a BSL Radio guest) picking West Virginia:

http://www.sportsone...ssee-ucla-texas

 

West Virginia at Maryland
Noon, Big Ten Network

College football in 2014: This is somehow a Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup involving two Eastern teams. Last year, when Maryland was still in the ACC, the Mountaineers and Terrapins played to one of the strangest results of the season at the time, when Maryland held West Virginia to 62 passing yards in a 37-0 win in Baltimore. This one should be much different, partly because the Mountaineers will start an improving Clint Trickett at QB after Ford Childress played last year's game. Last week, Maryland was sloppy in a seven-point win over South Florida, turning the ball over six times, while West Virginia's progress has yet to be entirely gauged after it challenged Alabama in Week 1, although its offense is undoubtedly far ahead of where it was through much of last season. Maryland's schedule is full of toss-up games, and a loss here could really damage its long-term bowl hopes.

Pick: West Virginia 33, Maryland 31

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Post: Mulrooney returns to practice

http://www.washingto...ns-to-practice/

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: Weekly Preview: West Virginia

http://baltimorespor...est-virginia-2/

 

Weekly preview is up! This week, I interview Stephen Nesbitt, a West Virginia football beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. And as always, I give my previews for Maryland and their opponent, and conclude with my keys to the game.

 

 

Nice write-up.  Border game. Rivalry game. Important game. 

Don't have a great handle on what to expect, but playing at home... it's pretty important to find a way to win. Feels pretty much like a pick'em game to me.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Kickoff in under 12 hours... looking forward to this one. Join us for the Game Thread!

[Mike in STL]

Can the MD defense keep WVU and the air raid under 30 points? MD likely doesnt have the offense that can keep up in a 40+ point shootout kind of game.

Looking forward to this one. Need the win to keep playoff berth hopes alive.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Not the nice weather of yesterday....  uniforms do look good though.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Enjoyed the Big Ten Network studio coverage.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Plank and Edsall with a big sideline embrace.  

[BSLChrisStoner]

Good seats still available. Should have paired this game with a Big Ten game....  that said, surprised the stadium is not more full.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Craddock kicks off... it's a touchback, WVU starting at the 20.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Nice start. 1st play, and WVU picks up 50 yards.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Yannick Ngakoue with a good hit.

[BSLChrisStoner]

3rd down coming from the 8 for WVU... 90 seconds gone...

 

WVU picks up the 1st... now down to the 2.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Andre Monroe, Davis, Dixon stand-up WVU... set-up 3rd and Goal.