Syracuse boasts a fine leader in quarterback Ryan Nassib. The 6-foot-2 senior is completing a slightly higher percentage of passes (64.6 percent) than WVU's Geno Smith (64 percent) and has 11 touchdowns to four interceptions. Smith, however, is averaging 359.8 passing yards to Nassib's 215.7 and has 16 touchdown passes with just three interceptions. In pass efficiency, it's Smith again (152.39) to Nassib (135.94).

Edge: Mountaineers

Running backs

Freshman Dustin Garrison has secured the top tailback spot for West Virginia after an early season battle. He's now averaging 72.7 yards, while Vernard Roberts and Andrew Buie are averaging 23.3 and 24.8, respectively. Syracuse, meanwhile, is a one-man show, featuring 5-7, 201-pound Antwon Bailey, who is averaging 92.2 rushing yards. He's had three consecutive games of more than 100 yards rushing.

Edge: Orange

Receivers

West Virginia has developed a strong three-man receiving corps. Stedman Bailey is averaging the most yards per game at 105.7. Tavon Austin has the most catches with 42 for 564 yards. And Ivan McCartney is tied with Bailey in number of catches (34) and is averaging 75.8 yards per game. Syracuse's corps isn't shabby either with Alec Lemon (53.7 average), tight end Nick Provo (44.2) and Van Chew (49.8), but...

Edge: Mountaineers

Offensive line

Syracuse returned four offensive linemen from its 2010 team that beat the Mountaineers in Morgantown. Remember, though, SU only scored 19 points in that game. This year, the Orange, led by 6-5, 334-pound guard Andrew Tiller, is pushing for an average of 113.2 rushing yards with 12 sacks surrendered. WVU, led by tackle Don Barclay, is pushing for an average of 123 and has allowed seven sacks.

Edge: Mountaineers

Defensive line

Neither defensive front can boast much size. WVU's biggest starter is 6-2, 281-pound Jorge Wright. SU's biggest is 6-3, 280-pound Jay Bromley. The Orange received good news that end Chandler Jones will return from injury after missing five games. Pretty even comparison. Syracuse is allowing 104.3 rushing yards and has 13 sacks. West Virginia is allowing 119.8 and has eight.

Edge: Orange

Linebackers

Syracuse is last in the Big East in scoring and total defense and much of the blame goes to the linebackers. Strongside linebacker Dan Vaughan is the best of the bunch, allowing an average of 397.3 total yards a game. WVU's defensive star has been senior Najee Goode (41 tackles) and, although his supporting cast seems spotty at times, WVU is ranked 16th nationally in total defense, allowing 301.2 yards.

Edge: Mountaineers

Secondary

Safety Phillip Thomas has 46 tackles and three interceptions for the Orange. That's the good news for SU. The bad news is the team is last in the Big East in average passing yards allowed (293). Opponents have been running more than passing (202-195) against the Mountaineers, but WVU is allowing 181.3 yards through the air. Keith Tandy and Terence Garvin both have a pair of picks.

Edge: Mountaineers

Special teams

Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman was the team hero after hitting a field goal as time expired against Tulane last week. But he's hitting 75 percent of his tries (9-of-12), while WVU's Tyler Bitancurt is converting 91.7 percent (11-of-12). Syracuse does enter the game with better kickoff and punt coverages, but the Mountaineers have fared better at punt and kickoff returns and, believe it or not, punting.

Edge: Mountaineers