By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
West Virginia (2-3, 0-2) travels to McLane Stadium Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff with the Bears (TV: FS1). The Mountaineers are coming off two opening Big 12 games against Oklahoma and Texas Tech where they lost on last-second field goals. Those vanquished what was a considered a great home win over Virginia Tech. This is a game where both the Mountaineers and the Bears likely understand how the rest of the season should unfold.
Your publisher visited with West Virginia Rivals (WVSportsdot.com) publisher Keenan Cummings earlier in the week to get a feel for where West Virginia is at.
1. What is the psyche of this West Virginia team after dropping its first two league games on last-second field goals?
It might not be a stretch to say that this game could be the most important left on the schedule for West Virginia based simply on how things have gone the past two weeks. The Mountaineers battled hard against Oklahoma and fell short on the road, which is understandable, but the way they laid a first-half egg against an undermanned Texas Tech team erased that good will. I expect that the coaches will have this team ready to go after basically playing unenthused football for a half against the Red Raiders and not being able to dig out of that hole. I think this team has shown resiliency before and that will be challenged again but as long as there is a full 60-minutes of focus this team has shown it can compete with anybody. Problem is, that has been hard to come by through five games.
2. Do you sense the heat is starting to be turned up on Neal Brown? He had the great win over Virginia Tech but all three of his losses are six points or less.
The majority of fans understood that this was going to be a rebuild but now in year three there are some items that have the fan base on the edge. Some of the same miscues and mistakes that have plagued this team for the past several years continue to be an issue at times. Couple that with some of the disappointing ways that the team has lot games and the lack of effort they displayed in the first half at home against Texas Tech and there is some obvious frustration. I think most are rational about things, but there is more frustration given the 2-3 results and how those losses have came than any other point during Brown's tenure.
3. What's your sense of this QB rotation between Jarret Doege and Garrett Greene. It looks like they are two different styles. Has it worked the way Brown anticipated or has it not.
Two very different players. Doege is a more prototypical passing quarterback that has an understanding of the scheme. He didn't turn the ball over last year, but that has been an issue through the first couple games this season. I will say for his struggles at times, he looked as good as he has all season in the second half against Texas Tech and was taking shots down the field and delivering the football accurately. If that guy can continue to show up consistently it could change the offense in significant ways. Greene is a redshirt freshman that has wheels and brings a different element to the run game. He isn't simply a runner though as he was an Elite 11 quarterback, but right now he hasn't been trusted to do a lot with his arm. They've been using both in certain spots, but it seems they are still finding a rhythm to it to make it work long term.
4. It looks like the defense has had another strong season. Who leads that group and who leads the way?
This defense has been very good and truthfully is as good or better than the unit last year that finished No. 4 nationally. Outside of the first half against Maryland and again that first half against Texas Tech, this group has been hard to consistently move the ball on and score. They held Oklahoma to the lowest point total since Lincoln Riley has been in Norman and still can improve. The defensive line is the soul of the unit with sophomore Akheem Mesidor and senior Dante Stills serving as the anchors. Those two, along with defensive end Taijh Alston have made the front very stout and there is a lot of experience in the safety room as well.
5. How are they navigating the next two weeks with back to back road trips to Texas to play at Baylor and then at TCU?
West Virginia has to find a way to win on the road this year because they haven't given themselves much of a choice given how they are starring down a 2-3 start to the season. The Mountaineers have lost their last six games on the road including both this season and all of last year. This is a gut check time for the program because West Virginia is nowhere near where it wanted to be in year three under Brown. The good news is there is a lot of season left and that starts with this critical stretch.
6. Keys to the game for West Virginia to win this?
West Virginia needs to run the football effectively to help take pressure off the quarterback spot and find a way to stay ahead of the sticks. Anytime you're on the road taking care of the football is critical and the defense has to continue to play up to the level it has. Stopping the run has been one of the strong suits of this group so it has to find a way to continue to do that against a Baylor team that wants to win there.
SicEmSports answers WVSportsdotcom questions
1. Where is this Baylor team at in year two under Aranda? Is it ahead of schedule and what exactly are the expectations for this team?
I think they're better. They have a better idea of who they are and what they want to do week to week. However, these last two games against Iowa State and Oklahoma State revealed what I thought. They still have a ways to go with getting their offense moving in the right direction. Defensively, I think they're always going to give themselves a chance to win each week. They do a pretty good job of keeping things in front of them and turning the other over.
2. How has Gerry Bohanon developed as the quarterback? What are his strengths and where does he have to improve?
I find Bohanon to be in a curious position now. He had performances against three really bad teams that helped get him into a stronger frame of mind. But he's struggled in the last two weeks. I find that to be expected because he's facing better defenses that are challenging him to beat them with his arm. This is going to be a pretty important game for him because he really hasn't been asked to put the team on his shoulders. Sooner or later that's got to change.
3. What type of offense is this schematically and who are the players to watch on that side?
They want to run it. They're led by Abram Smith - a running back who played linebacker the last two years and then switched back in the spring - and senior Trestan Ebner who looks a lot better than last year. I call it a safe passing game where most of the throws are not going to be picked off. His favorite targets are seniors Tyquan Thornton and R.J. Sneed.
4. How about the defense? How does this scheme attack and who are the key players?
They'll base out of a 3-4. The linebackers lead the way between junior Dillon Doyle and outside Matt Jones. They're hoping senior Terrel Bernard (knee) will be back this week. The secondary is arguably one of the best in the Big 12 led by senior safety J.T. Woods, who has two defensive touchdowns and three turnovers. Raleigh Texada leads the corners. LSU NT transfer Apu Ika got off to a slow start. However, he seems to be playing better.
5. How do you see this game playing out and what are your keys?
I'll give Baylor the benefit of the doubt because the game is in Waco. I expect it to be close. I'm sure West Virginia is wondering if it can take any more gut punches. The Bears just have to do a better job running the football. At some point, Bohanon has to be given the keys to the car and let it go or else this offense will stumble. They also have to clean their penalties. They're really bad there. Baylor wins a one score game.
Publisher
West Virginia (2-3, 0-2) travels to McLane Stadium Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff with the Bears (TV: FS1). The Mountaineers are coming off two opening Big 12 games against Oklahoma and Texas Tech where they lost on last-second field goals. Those vanquished what was a considered a great home win over Virginia Tech. This is a game where both the Mountaineers and the Bears likely understand how the rest of the season should unfold.
Your publisher visited with West Virginia Rivals (WVSportsdot.com) publisher Keenan Cummings earlier in the week to get a feel for where West Virginia is at.
1. What is the psyche of this West Virginia team after dropping its first two league games on last-second field goals?
It might not be a stretch to say that this game could be the most important left on the schedule for West Virginia based simply on how things have gone the past two weeks. The Mountaineers battled hard against Oklahoma and fell short on the road, which is understandable, but the way they laid a first-half egg against an undermanned Texas Tech team erased that good will. I expect that the coaches will have this team ready to go after basically playing unenthused football for a half against the Red Raiders and not being able to dig out of that hole. I think this team has shown resiliency before and that will be challenged again but as long as there is a full 60-minutes of focus this team has shown it can compete with anybody. Problem is, that has been hard to come by through five games.
2. Do you sense the heat is starting to be turned up on Neal Brown? He had the great win over Virginia Tech but all three of his losses are six points or less.
The majority of fans understood that this was going to be a rebuild but now in year three there are some items that have the fan base on the edge. Some of the same miscues and mistakes that have plagued this team for the past several years continue to be an issue at times. Couple that with some of the disappointing ways that the team has lot games and the lack of effort they displayed in the first half at home against Texas Tech and there is some obvious frustration. I think most are rational about things, but there is more frustration given the 2-3 results and how those losses have came than any other point during Brown's tenure.
3. What's your sense of this QB rotation between Jarret Doege and Garrett Greene. It looks like they are two different styles. Has it worked the way Brown anticipated or has it not.
Two very different players. Doege is a more prototypical passing quarterback that has an understanding of the scheme. He didn't turn the ball over last year, but that has been an issue through the first couple games this season. I will say for his struggles at times, he looked as good as he has all season in the second half against Texas Tech and was taking shots down the field and delivering the football accurately. If that guy can continue to show up consistently it could change the offense in significant ways. Greene is a redshirt freshman that has wheels and brings a different element to the run game. He isn't simply a runner though as he was an Elite 11 quarterback, but right now he hasn't been trusted to do a lot with his arm. They've been using both in certain spots, but it seems they are still finding a rhythm to it to make it work long term.
4. It looks like the defense has had another strong season. Who leads that group and who leads the way?
This defense has been very good and truthfully is as good or better than the unit last year that finished No. 4 nationally. Outside of the first half against Maryland and again that first half against Texas Tech, this group has been hard to consistently move the ball on and score. They held Oklahoma to the lowest point total since Lincoln Riley has been in Norman and still can improve. The defensive line is the soul of the unit with sophomore Akheem Mesidor and senior Dante Stills serving as the anchors. Those two, along with defensive end Taijh Alston have made the front very stout and there is a lot of experience in the safety room as well.
5. How are they navigating the next two weeks with back to back road trips to Texas to play at Baylor and then at TCU?
West Virginia has to find a way to win on the road this year because they haven't given themselves much of a choice given how they are starring down a 2-3 start to the season. The Mountaineers have lost their last six games on the road including both this season and all of last year. This is a gut check time for the program because West Virginia is nowhere near where it wanted to be in year three under Brown. The good news is there is a lot of season left and that starts with this critical stretch.
6. Keys to the game for West Virginia to win this?
West Virginia needs to run the football effectively to help take pressure off the quarterback spot and find a way to stay ahead of the sticks. Anytime you're on the road taking care of the football is critical and the defense has to continue to play up to the level it has. Stopping the run has been one of the strong suits of this group so it has to find a way to continue to do that against a Baylor team that wants to win there.
SicEmSports answers WVSportsdotcom questions
1. Where is this Baylor team at in year two under Aranda? Is it ahead of schedule and what exactly are the expectations for this team?
I think they're better. They have a better idea of who they are and what they want to do week to week. However, these last two games against Iowa State and Oklahoma State revealed what I thought. They still have a ways to go with getting their offense moving in the right direction. Defensively, I think they're always going to give themselves a chance to win each week. They do a pretty good job of keeping things in front of them and turning the other over.
2. How has Gerry Bohanon developed as the quarterback? What are his strengths and where does he have to improve?
I find Bohanon to be in a curious position now. He had performances against three really bad teams that helped get him into a stronger frame of mind. But he's struggled in the last two weeks. I find that to be expected because he's facing better defenses that are challenging him to beat them with his arm. This is going to be a pretty important game for him because he really hasn't been asked to put the team on his shoulders. Sooner or later that's got to change.
3. What type of offense is this schematically and who are the players to watch on that side?
They want to run it. They're led by Abram Smith - a running back who played linebacker the last two years and then switched back in the spring - and senior Trestan Ebner who looks a lot better than last year. I call it a safe passing game where most of the throws are not going to be picked off. His favorite targets are seniors Tyquan Thornton and R.J. Sneed.
4. How about the defense? How does this scheme attack and who are the key players?
They'll base out of a 3-4. The linebackers lead the way between junior Dillon Doyle and outside Matt Jones. They're hoping senior Terrel Bernard (knee) will be back this week. The secondary is arguably one of the best in the Big 12 led by senior safety J.T. Woods, who has two defensive touchdowns and three turnovers. Raleigh Texada leads the corners. LSU NT transfer Apu Ika got off to a slow start. However, he seems to be playing better.
5. How do you see this game playing out and what are your keys?
I'll give Baylor the benefit of the doubt because the game is in Waco. I expect it to be close. I'm sure West Virginia is wondering if it can take any more gut punches. The Bears just have to do a better job running the football. At some point, Bohanon has to be given the keys to the car and let it go or else this offense will stumble. They also have to clean their penalties. They're really bad there. Baylor wins a one score game.
