Frazier was great but I don't see any issues with replacement. He was guard for years plus numerous seniors are on the chart, with stable of RBs. I think Kole was TE last year and back so no issues from what I read
WVU believes they have turned the corner.
- Thread starter The Spin Meister
- Start date
Nothing would surprise me, James Franklin is capable of doing nothing right
James Franklin and Mario Cristobal take turns saying 'Hold my beer' when it comes to crappy game-day decisions.
Speaking of Maryland I watched a recording I made of last year’s Maryland game on Saturday evening. Allar had a good game and we embarrassed them again. What was especially satisfying was Kaytron Allen’s 10 yard pile driver of a run for a score out of the old T formation. It broke Maryland’s back and left them beat for good. Lots of pushing and shoving after the play as Maryland’s pride was trampled again. Aaaaaahhhhhhh !!
They return most of that offensive line, but I think they lost their center, who was probably the best in all of college football last year. Defensively they will be improved. They will not be an easy out and we will need to at least play our B plus game to win. If we don't show up it will not go well.
Except WVU was 9-4 last year but you can keep on beating the same dead horse to your heart’s content.
8-4 without a decent win. Got lucky and played only OU that was borderline good and got killed. Again, who was their best win? People want to pretend they're good incorrectly believing that makes us better. They're s lay up. Watch what OU did to them.
He was a little off on his 3-9 prediction for WVU last year, but he won’t accept his mistake.
Again--I didn't say 3-9 but you've proven countless times that reading is beyond your ability
I thought they turned the corner last year after their loss to us. Their recruiting seems to be on a bit of an uptick for them.Suddenly have faith in the coach and his system. Means fans are excited and will be fired up for our game bigly.
We will need to get up early and silence the crowd. Can’t allow them to hang around late.
Should be a great game to attend.
This Year, WVU Football Has Respect. But What’s Next?
MORGANTOWN — To paraphrase the late, great songstress Dinah Washington, whose signature hit was “What a Difference a Day Makes”, with West Virginia football it can best be put “What a Difference a Year Makes.” In this summer of change in college sports, little has changed more than the way West...www.theintelligencer.net
I expect a tough game from them in their own house. We have issues that have yet to be resolved especially on the OL.
Will Alar be improved? That's a big question that has yet to be answered.
We have a lot of moving parts with a new DC and OC.
The DL has questions. IMO we will have to play mistake free ball to keep it from being a fight in our opener down there.
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Yeppers, will be a dog fight. Would be very helpful to get up early and quite the crowd.
Eh, I think it'll be similar to last year. Although, the two missed FGs made that game closer than it should've been at halftime.
They lost their C Frazier, who may have been the best Center in college football last season. The left side of their line is definitely their strength, but the right side is a complete question mark. I think eventually our front 7 is too much. If we get any sort of a lead they'll be in major trouble moving to a pass heavy offense vs. our pass rush and secondary.
The key will be getting the offensive attack moving the ball early. It will be interesting what AK's plan of attack is early in the season - does he trust Allar to let it fly for 300+ yards in the opener (like last year), or do we get to a more run heavy/first offense to wear down opposing teams. WVU's defense is not expected to put up much of a fight next season.
They lost their C Frazier, who may have been the best Center in college football last season. The left side of their line is definitely their strength, but the right side is a complete question mark. I think eventually our front 7 is too much. If we get any sort of a lead they'll be in major trouble moving to a pass heavy offense vs. our pass rush and secondary.
The key will be getting the offensive attack moving the ball early. It will be interesting what AK's plan of attack is early in the season - does he trust Allar to let it fly for 300+ yards in the opener (like last year), or do we get to a more run heavy/first offense to wear down opposing teams. WVU's defense is not expected to put up much of a fight next season.
I've made that trip down there many times way back when. There were a lot of years where my group never missed an away game. Even in our best years when we went to WVU they were a tough crowd.
West Virginia Head Coach Neal Brown Invests in Coaching Staff with Pay Cuts and Raises
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has demonstrated his commitment to his coaching staff and football program by taking a $400,000 pay cut over three years in exchange for an
This is smart and strategic as the article points out. I applaud Brown for doing this. We will see how keeping assistant coach stability works out for them.West Virginia Head Coach Neal Brown Invests in Coaching Staff with Pay Cuts and Raises
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has demonstrated his commitment to his coaching staff and football program by taking a $400,000 pay cut over three years in exchange for anwww.wvnews.com
PSU losing could all but ruin their season so I don’t expect them to come out flat or fatigued.
I see Gallagher and Mulbah are expected starters for WVU.
I see Gallagher and Mulbah are expected starters for WVU.
Brown traded a little money over 3 seasons for a year added onto the end of his deal. That's sort of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", but Peter now has another year on his contract.
Very smart. Nothing builds loyalty and inspires hard work like the boss taking a paycut so you get a raise!West Virginia Head Coach Neal Brown Invests in Coaching Staff with Pay Cuts and Raises
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has demonstrated his commitment to his coaching staff and football program by taking a $400,000 pay cut over three years in exchange for an
Some notes from Morgantown, intangibles for game 1 --
- WVU's strength is up front on both sides of the ball. A ton of talent and experience returns on the OL and DL. Garrett Greene was only sacked 5 times all of last season and WVU led the Power-5 in rushing yards.
- WVU's secondary is the question. WVU returns an All Big 12 safety in Aubrey Burks, but otherwise, questions all over the place but WVU did turn Minnesota CB transfer Beanie Bishop into an All-American last year (actually ran with the 1st string with the Steelers this past week), and WVU has two transfer DBs from Northwestern who look very good.
- The WVU team which played in Happy Valley to start last season was very much a work in progress. The WVU team which beat UNC in the bowl game was a completely different team. For example, Penn State did not even face Jahiem White (RB) or Hudson Clement (WR), both of whom were starters for the 2nd half of the season. Plus, true freshman Traylon Ray became a big play threat for WVU at WR later in the year & snagged a 75-yard TD pass in the bowl game from Garrett Greene.
- After WVU's offense slogged through the first four games of 2023, Neal Brown turned Garrett Greene loose for the final 7 games and gave him full reign over the offense. The Oklahoma game was a complete disaster for Greene and WVU after taking a 7-0 lead on an impressive first drive. That game aside, WVU's offense was fun as hell to watch for the entire 2nd half of the season.
- WVU fans are very excited about WVU's LBs in 2024. Going to be the best LB corps we've had in years, and in particular, the return of Trey Lathan is huge. He had a great game vs. Penn State last season.
- WVU returns all coordinators, coaches, QB, RBs, WRs, TE and 3 of 5 OL and 6 of 7 starters in the defensive front 7 in 2024.
- Penn State breaking in three new coordinators for a road game in Morgantown will be noteworthy.
- That being said, no doubt that Penn State has had WVU's number, to put it mildly. The last game in Morgantown in 1992 was a wild one - a 40-26 Penn State win where the game was tied 26-26 going into the 4th, but a late pick-6 by PSU broke WVU's back. WVU fans still curse WVU FB Rodney Woodard for a fumble on the PSU 1-yard line midway through the 4th quarter which would've tied the game at 33 a piece.
- No doubt that Penn State has the better overall talent. However, WVU has always had less talent on paper than Texas, and WVU has given Texas absolute fits since joining the Big 12. This includes two wins over the Horns when they were in the top 15. If not for an OT loss in 2013 (on a questionable P.I. call on a Texas 4th down conversion late), WVU actually would've had a winning record vs. the Horns in Big 12 play.
- Someone in this thread pointed out the fact that the crowd will be a factor, and if PSU can get up early, the crowd could be taken out of the game. This is spot-on. Season openers in Morgantown are a huge party, and even with a noon kick, the crowd will be well lubricated and hyped for this game. Expectations are big for WVU in 2024 - especially given the new look Big 12 where seemingly it is wide, wide open. WVU could lose the Penn State game and still go on to have a great season - even a Playoff caliber season.
- So, WVU really has nothing to lose and a lot to gain in this game. PSU is expected to win, and as shown here, many of their fans are extremely confident that this is a "W". Neal Brown and Co. are using this as motivation. And, not for nothing, Penn State punching in a touchdown with 6 seconds left in last year's game is still squarely on the radar screen of this coaching staff and returning WVU players.
- I will be there with a huge tailgate in the Light Blue lot, which will be half WVU and half Penn State -- have a lot of PSU friends here in the No.Va. area coming in for the game. Feel free to stop by for a cup of Moonshine and a pepperoni roll if you are in town for this one. Should be a fantastic atmosphere!
- WVU's strength is up front on both sides of the ball. A ton of talent and experience returns on the OL and DL. Garrett Greene was only sacked 5 times all of last season and WVU led the Power-5 in rushing yards.
- WVU's secondary is the question. WVU returns an All Big 12 safety in Aubrey Burks, but otherwise, questions all over the place but WVU did turn Minnesota CB transfer Beanie Bishop into an All-American last year (actually ran with the 1st string with the Steelers this past week), and WVU has two transfer DBs from Northwestern who look very good.
- The WVU team which played in Happy Valley to start last season was very much a work in progress. The WVU team which beat UNC in the bowl game was a completely different team. For example, Penn State did not even face Jahiem White (RB) or Hudson Clement (WR), both of whom were starters for the 2nd half of the season. Plus, true freshman Traylon Ray became a big play threat for WVU at WR later in the year & snagged a 75-yard TD pass in the bowl game from Garrett Greene.
- After WVU's offense slogged through the first four games of 2023, Neal Brown turned Garrett Greene loose for the final 7 games and gave him full reign over the offense. The Oklahoma game was a complete disaster for Greene and WVU after taking a 7-0 lead on an impressive first drive. That game aside, WVU's offense was fun as hell to watch for the entire 2nd half of the season.
- WVU fans are very excited about WVU's LBs in 2024. Going to be the best LB corps we've had in years, and in particular, the return of Trey Lathan is huge. He had a great game vs. Penn State last season.
- WVU returns all coordinators, coaches, QB, RBs, WRs, TE and 3 of 5 OL and 6 of 7 starters in the defensive front 7 in 2024.
- Penn State breaking in three new coordinators for a road game in Morgantown will be noteworthy.
- That being said, no doubt that Penn State has had WVU's number, to put it mildly. The last game in Morgantown in 1992 was a wild one - a 40-26 Penn State win where the game was tied 26-26 going into the 4th, but a late pick-6 by PSU broke WVU's back. WVU fans still curse WVU FB Rodney Woodard for a fumble on the PSU 1-yard line midway through the 4th quarter which would've tied the game at 33 a piece.
- No doubt that Penn State has the better overall talent. However, WVU has always had less talent on paper than Texas, and WVU has given Texas absolute fits since joining the Big 12. This includes two wins over the Horns when they were in the top 15. If not for an OT loss in 2013 (on a questionable P.I. call on a Texas 4th down conversion late), WVU actually would've had a winning record vs. the Horns in Big 12 play.
- Someone in this thread pointed out the fact that the crowd will be a factor, and if PSU can get up early, the crowd could be taken out of the game. This is spot-on. Season openers in Morgantown are a huge party, and even with a noon kick, the crowd will be well lubricated and hyped for this game. Expectations are big for WVU in 2024 - especially given the new look Big 12 where seemingly it is wide, wide open. WVU could lose the Penn State game and still go on to have a great season - even a Playoff caliber season.
- So, WVU really has nothing to lose and a lot to gain in this game. PSU is expected to win, and as shown here, many of their fans are extremely confident that this is a "W". Neal Brown and Co. are using this as motivation. And, not for nothing, Penn State punching in a touchdown with 6 seconds left in last year's game is still squarely on the radar screen of this coaching staff and returning WVU players.
- I will be there with a huge tailgate in the Light Blue lot, which will be half WVU and half Penn State -- have a lot of PSU friends here in the No.Va. area coming in for the game. Feel free to stop by for a cup of Moonshine and a pepperoni roll if you are in town for this one. Should be a fantastic atmosphere!
Sounds like the question is if PSU's passing game can exploit WVa's secondary.
Carter and Sutton are going to put a lot of pressure on Greene. I think the biggest threat is if Greene takes off and runs against our LBs who at times lose their gap assignments.
Joe used to say don't worry about him, just take care of his staff. I don't know if that works today.
Lol at them using having less talent as a motivator. You talked about bowl games too much and most of your fan base wanted to run Brown out of town not long again. Like opinion likely resurfaces sooner than later. Good luck this year. With the Big XII becoming G5 level you guys have as good as chance as anyone outside of Arizona.
Excellent analysis. Greene was a far better passer at the end of the season. Made some great throws.
PSU’s biggest hope crowd wise…….since it’s a noon game they will party right through the night and all pass out by end if third qtr…….missing another PSU great comeback!
Yep - the PSU passing game vs. WVU secondary will be the game barometer, IMO. I've been saying that for a while now.
Last year, PSU made a big adjustment at the half, score 14-7, and came out in the 2nd and ran what essentially was a pick-play where one WR would cut hard in front of the opposite WVU corner or safety, while the other PSU WR would cross behind. PSU scored on this play once, and converted a couple big third downs using this play. Neal Brown talked about it post-game, and the staff made some coverage adjustments with Aubrey Burks and Beanie Bishop after that game. But, that was a big reason why Allar ran up 300+ yards.
Pitt tried the same exact play several times against WVU, and we were ready. They never completed a pass and once actually threw a pick right to Beanie Bishop.
I have no idea what to expect from PSU's offense. New coordinator, new season. But, if PSU were smart, they'd test WVU's secondary early and often.
Greene had some unbelievable throws late in the season - he had a 70-yard TD pass on a wheel route under pressure vs. Cincinnati which was probably as good a throw as you'll see a QB make all season. Greene loves the deep ball, and Neal Brown let him cut loose after the Texas Tech game.
But, the one guy WVU is going to rely upon big time this season will be Jahiem White (from Plum PA). He became WVUs workhorse RB later in the year and had over 200 in a win vs. Cincy. He is a shifty back with a burst. He and CJ Donaldson will be WVU's one-two punch, with Greene as a wild card.
Re: WVU's crowd - they will indeed party through the night, but they ain't missing this one. This is as big a home opener as we've had since #1 Ohio State visited Morgantown to begin the '98 season.
Pitt had a JV passing game last year. As bad as they were last year, that's like gleaning data from our game vs Delaware.
Very much appreciate you coming over and sharing all your data. I think you might be a touch optimistic about your secondary portal ins (after labeling the group a question mark), but it's at least vs our biggest question mark.
LOL. You put it mildly. Phil Jurkovec or whatever Pitt's QB last name was - was our MVP. He was as bad as a QB as I've ever seen take a snap at Mountaineer field.
But, they did copy that pick play and we snuffed it out - not that it would've mattered.
Our secondary is a huge, huge question mark. Allar is going to have his chance to make his mark.
That said, we've also upgraded our pass rush, so hopefully that will help our corners and safeties as well.
