THIS COULDN'T have been a summer of fun for West Virginia coach Bill Stewart.
After the ugly Gator Bowl loss, many WVU fans grumbled. Recruiting seems to have slipped. There were NCAA charges leveled against him and his program. Sports Illustrated called him disappointing.
This, however, shapes up to be a fine season for Stewart and the Mountaineers. Not only does WVU have a ton of returning starters, it has added a couple potential playmakers in wideout Ivan McCartney and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Should be a fall of fun for the coach.
Take a look:
Sept. 4, Coastal Carolina at WVU - Let's make this perfectly Chanti-clear: West Virginia should have no problem whatsoever with Coastal Carolina. The Chants are but 16-18 overall since 2007. Last season they lost to WVU's opening opponent, Liberty, by 58-13. (WVU defeated Liberty 33-20.) The CC quarterback, Zach MacDowall, is prone to interceptions. The visitors' running game is expected to be sluggish at best. Expect the Mountaineers to substitute liberally and retire their starters after the third quarter. WVU, 48-17.
Sept. 10, WVU at Marshall - MU will have eight days to prepare after opening against Ohio State. There will be excitement in the air as the intrastate game opens the Thundering Herd's home schedule. Ex-WVU player and assistant Doc Holliday has taken over in Huntington, which adds spice. But the hosts will be peppered by West Virginia's speed and salted away by the Mountaineers' athleticism. WVU, 28-14.
Sept. 18, Maryland at WVU - It's a good time for WVU to return Maryland to its schedule. Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen's job status is shaky. There have been injuries. The offensive line is suspect. Maryland was picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic division. The Terps, however, do have speed via tailback Da'Rel Scott and receivers like Emani Lee-Odai. Expect Friedgen to throw everything he has at the Mountaineers. Figuratively, he has nothing to lose. In the end, though, WVU's Noel Devine will make sure that, literally, the Terps do lose. WVU, 35-24.
Sept. 25, WVU at LSU - If West Virginia wishes national respect, Baton Rouge is the place to earn it. The good news for WVU? LSU was picked in the SEC poll to finish fourth in the West division. The bad news? The Tigers were picked to finish higher than the Mountaineers in both of the major preseason polls: Associated Press (No. 21 to No. 25) and USA Today coaches' (No. 16 to No. 24). Yes, WVU can win if its defense rises and QB Geno Smith has a spectacular game. But the speed of LSU's defensive line will give WVU's offensive line and Smith fits. The Tigers also have shutdown corners in Patrick Peterson and Mo Claiborne. With the game expected to be played in front of 92,400 at Tiger Stadium, it simply doesn't set up well for the Mountaineers. LSU, 30-14.
Oct. 9, UNLV at WVU - If WVU does fall at LSU, it will have two weeks to recover. That should provide plenty of time to heal for the Rebels, picked to finish eighth out of the nine-team Mountain West. As of this week, first-year head coach Bobby Hauck hadn't picked a starting quarterback. UNLV went 5-7 the last two years. The Rebels do have a fine receiver in Philip Payne, but West Virginia's offense should be a royal pain for UNLV, ranked No. 115 in total defense last season. WVU, 40-10.
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After rough summer, Stew's ready for some fun
THIS COULDN'T have been a summer of fun for West Virginia coach Bill Stewart.
After the ugly Gator Bowl loss, many WVU fans grumbled. Recruiting seems to have slipped. There were NCAA charges leveled against him and his program. Sports Illustrated called him disappointing.
This, however, shapes up to be a fine season for Stewart and the Mountaineers. Not only does WVU have a ton of returning starters, it has added a couple potential playmakers in wideout Ivan McCartney and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Should be a fall of fun for the coach.
Take a look:
Sept. 4, Coastal Carolina at WVU - Let's make this perfectly Chanti-clear: West Virginia should have no problem whatsoever with Coastal Carolina. The Chants are but 16-18 overall since 2007. Last season they lost to WVU's opening opponent, Liberty, by 58-13. (WVU defeated Liberty 33-20.) The CC quarterback, Zach MacDowall, is prone to interceptions. The visitors' running game is expected to be sluggish at best. Expect the Mountaineers to substitute liberally and retire their starters after the third quarter. WVU, 48-17.
Sept. 10, WVU at Marshall - MU will have eight days to prepare after opening against Ohio State. There will be excitement in the air as the intrastate game opens the Thundering Herd's home schedule. Ex-WVU player and assistant Doc Holliday has taken over in Huntington, which adds spice. But the hosts will be peppered by West Virginia's speed and salted away by the Mountaineers' athleticism. WVU, 28-14.
Sept. 18, Maryland at WVU - It's a good time for WVU to return Maryland to its schedule. Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen's job status is shaky. There have been injuries. The offensive line is suspect. Maryland was picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic division. The Terps, however, do have speed via tailback Da'Rel Scott and receivers like Emani Lee-Odai. Expect Friedgen to throw everything he has at the Mountaineers. Figuratively, he has nothing to lose. In the end, though, WVU's Noel Devine will make sure that, literally, the Terps do lose. WVU, 35-24.
Sept. 25, WVU at LSU - If West Virginia wishes national respect, Baton Rouge is the place to earn it. The good news for WVU? LSU was picked in the SEC poll to finish fourth in the West division. The bad news? The Tigers were picked to finish higher than the Mountaineers in both of the major preseason polls: Associated Press (No. 21 to No. 25) and USA Today coaches' (No. 16 to No. 24). Yes, WVU can win if its defense rises and QB Geno Smith has a spectacular game. But the speed of LSU's defensive line will give WVU's offensive line and Smith fits. The Tigers also have shutdown corners in Patrick Peterson and Mo Claiborne. With the game expected to be played in front of 92,400 at Tiger Stadium, it simply doesn't set up well for the Mountaineers. LSU, 30-14.
Oct. 9, UNLV at WVU - If WVU does fall at LSU, it will have two weeks to recover. That should provide plenty of time to heal for the Rebels, picked to finish eighth out of the nine-team Mountain West. As of this week, first-year head coach Bobby Hauck hadn't picked a starting quarterback. UNLV went 5-7 the last two years. The Rebels do have a fine receiver in Philip Payne, but West Virginia's offense should be a royal pain for UNLV, ranked No. 115 in total defense last season. WVU, 40-10.
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THIS COULDN'T have been a summer of fun for West Virginia coach Bill Stewart.
After the ugly Gator Bowl loss, many WVU fans grumbled. Recruiting seems to have slipped. There were NCAA charges leveled against him and his program. Sports Illustrated called him disappointing.
This, however, shapes up to be a fine season for Stewart and the Mountaineers. Not only does WVU have a ton of returning starters, it has added a couple potential playmakers in wideout Ivan McCartney and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Should be a fall of fun for the coach.
Take a look:
Sept. 4, Coastal Carolina at WVU - Let's make this perfectly Chanti-clear: West Virginia should have no problem whatsoever with Coastal Carolina. The Chants are but 16-18 overall since 2007. Last season they lost to WVU's opening opponent, Liberty, by 58-13. (WVU defeated Liberty 33-20.) The CC quarterback, Zach MacDowall, is prone to interceptions. The visitors' running game is expected to be sluggish at best. Expect the Mountaineers to substitute liberally and retire their starters after the third quarter. WVU, 48-17.
Sept. 10, WVU at Marshall - MU will have eight days to prepare after opening against Ohio State. There will be excitement in the air as the intrastate game opens the Thundering Herd's home schedule. Ex-WVU player and assistant Doc Holliday has taken over in Huntington, which adds spice. But the hosts will be peppered by West Virginia's speed and salted away by the Mountaineers' athleticism. WVU, 28-14.
Sept. 18, Maryland at WVU - It's a good time for WVU to return Maryland to its schedule. Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen's job status is shaky. There have been injuries. The offensive line is suspect. Maryland was picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic division. The Terps, however, do have speed via tailback Da'Rel Scott and receivers like Emani Lee-Odai. Expect Friedgen to throw everything he has at the Mountaineers. Figuratively, he has nothing to lose. In the end, though, WVU's Noel Devine will make sure that, literally, the Terps do lose. WVU, 35-24.
Sept. 25, WVU at LSU - If West Virginia wishes national respect, Baton Rouge is the place to earn it. The good news for WVU? LSU was picked in the SEC poll to finish fourth in the West division. The bad news? The Tigers were picked to finish higher than the Mountaineers in both of the major preseason polls: Associated Press (No. 21 to No. 25) and USA Today coaches' (No. 16 to No. 24). Yes, WVU can win if its defense rises and QB Geno Smith has a spectacular game. But the speed of LSU's defensive line will give WVU's offensive line and Smith fits. The Tigers also have shutdown corners in Patrick Peterson and Mo Claiborne. With the game expected to be played in front of 92,400 at Tiger Stadium, it simply doesn't set up well for the Mountaineers. LSU, 30-14.
Oct. 9, UNLV at WVU - If WVU does fall at LSU, it will have two weeks to recover. That should provide plenty of time to heal for the Rebels, picked to finish eighth out of the nine-team Mountain West. As of this week, first-year head coach Bobby Hauck hadn't picked a starting quarterback. UNLV went 5-7 the last two years. The Rebels do have a fine receiver in Philip Payne, but West Virginia's offense should be a royal pain for UNLV, ranked No. 115 in total defense last season. WVU, 40-10.
Oct. 14, South Florida at WVU - The Mountaineers' start to the Big East portion of the schedule isn't an easy one. Fortunately for the team, the game is in Morgantown, and both teams will play this Thursday-night affair after just four days off. New USF coach Skip Holtz has fine, if erratic, QB B.J. Daniels back. And Holtz, along with ex-Marshall coach Mark Snyder (now USF's defensive coordinator), has depth on defense. But that defense isn't the unit of last year. Gone are George Selvie, Jason Pierre-Paul and Nate Allen. If WVU's defense can simply contain Daniels, the hosts win at the end. WVU, 27-24.
Oct. 23, Syracuse at WVU - Doug Marrone did a nice job with the Orange at the end of last season. He weeded out many. And this season the team could begin 3-1, playing Akron, Washington, Maine and Colgate. But Marrone's team probably will be on a two-game losing streak heading into Morgantown after games with USF and Pitt. Also, while Marrone's performance has been admirable, there have been injuries. The gap between his team's talent and that of WVU remains wide. WVU, 42-14.
Oct. 29, WVU at Connecticut - This game will be a real test to see if Connecticut is a bona fide Big East contender. The Huskies finished last season by winning four straight games, including one at Notre Dame and versus South Carolina (handily) in a bowl. Eight return on each side of the ball. Terrific back Jordan Todman is back. So Randy Edsall's men should be in good shape. And, at home, they'll find a way to defeat Stewart's talented WVU team. UCONN, 28-27.
Nov. 13, Cincinnati at WVU - One has to like this underrated Cincinnati team. Bearcats coach Butch Jones, who used to be a Rich Rodriguez assistant at WVU, won't have Tony Pike or Mardy Gilyard back. But QB Zach Collaros can certainly get the ball to a very skilled receiving corps that includes Armon Binns, J.D. Woods and USC transfer Vidal Hazelton. Tailback Isaiah Pead is strong. But what may catch up to the Bearcats here is a lack of depth along both lines. That, and playing at Mountaineer Field. WVU, 36-28.
Nov. 20, WVU at Louisville - If the Mountaineers get off to a strong start in this game, they should have little trouble, even if the contest is at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Louisville tailback Victor Anderson is terrific, and new Cardinals coach Charlie Strong is a defensive specialist. But he'll have to be a special defensive specialist with the talent on this team to hold back WVU's Smith, Devine, Jock Sanders, etc. WVU, 48-21.
Nov. 26, WVU at Pittsburgh - This is where WVU's Stewart can cement his job status for the foreseeable future. Pitt is the Big East favorite. Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt has terrific skill players in Dion Lewis and Jonathan Baldwin. Defensive end Greg Romeus may be the first taken at his position in next year's NFL draft. Twenty of Pitt's 22 projected starters are in at least their third season at the school. Still, can WVU pull the upset? Yes. Will it? No. Not at Heinz Field. PITT, 24-21.
n Dec. 4, Rutgers at WVU - My, how Greg Schiano has fallen. After the 11-win season in 2006, Schiano's teams have gone 11-9 in Big East play. It's tough not to like QB Tom Savage and wideout/Wildcat QB Mohamed Sanu. The defense should be stout. But the offensive line is patchwork. WVU will hold Senior Day - and Savage and Sanu back. WVU, 21-10.
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
After rough summer, Stew's ready for some fun
THIS COULDN'T have been a summer of fun for West Virginia coach Bill Stewart.
After the ugly Gator Bowl loss, many WVU fans grumbled. Recruiting seems to have slipped. There were NCAA charges leveled against him and his program. Sports Illustrated called him disappointing.
This, however, shapes up to be a fine season for Stewart and the Mountaineers. Not only does WVU have a ton of returning starters, it has added a couple potential playmakers in wideout Ivan McCartney and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Should be a fall of fun for the coach.
Take a look:
Sept. 4, Coastal Carolina at WVU - Let's make this perfectly Chanti-clear: West Virginia should have no problem whatsoever with Coastal Carolina. The Chants are but 16-18 overall since 2007. Last season they lost to WVU's opening opponent, Liberty, by 58-13. (WVU defeated Liberty 33-20.) The CC quarterback, Zach MacDowall, is prone to interceptions. The visitors' running game is expected to be sluggish at best. Expect the Mountaineers to substitute liberally and retire their starters after the third quarter. WVU, 48-17.
Sept. 10, WVU at Marshall - MU will have eight days to prepare after opening against Ohio State. There will be excitement in the air as the intrastate game opens the Thundering Herd's home schedule. Ex-WVU player and assistant Doc Holliday has taken over in Huntington, which adds spice. But the hosts will be peppered by West Virginia's speed and salted away by the Mountaineers' athleticism. WVU, 28-14.
Sept. 18, Maryland at WVU - It's a good time for WVU to return Maryland to its schedule. Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen's job status is shaky. There have been injuries. The offensive line is suspect. Maryland was picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic division. The Terps, however, do have speed via tailback Da'Rel Scott and receivers like Emani Lee-Odai. Expect Friedgen to throw everything he has at the Mountaineers. Figuratively, he has nothing to lose. In the end, though, WVU's Noel Devine will make sure that, literally, the Terps do lose. WVU, 35-24.
Sept. 25, WVU at LSU - If West Virginia wishes national respect, Baton Rouge is the place to earn it. The good news for WVU? LSU was picked in the SEC poll to finish fourth in the West division. The bad news? The Tigers were picked to finish higher than the Mountaineers in both of the major preseason polls: Associated Press (No. 21 to No. 25) and USA Today coaches' (No. 16 to No. 24). Yes, WVU can win if its defense rises and QB Geno Smith has a spectacular game. But the speed of LSU's defensive line will give WVU's offensive line and Smith fits. The Tigers also have shutdown corners in Patrick Peterson and Mo Claiborne. With the game expected to be played in front of 92,400 at Tiger Stadium, it simply doesn't set up well for the Mountaineers. LSU, 30-14.
Oct. 9, UNLV at WVU - If WVU does fall at LSU, it will have two weeks to recover. That should provide plenty of time to heal for the Rebels, picked to finish eighth out of the nine-team Mountain West. As of this week, first-year head coach Bobby Hauck hadn't picked a starting quarterback. UNLV went 5-7 the last two years. The Rebels do have a fine receiver in Philip Payne, but West Virginia's offense should be a royal pain for UNLV, ranked No. 115 in total defense last season. WVU, 40-10.
