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2009 West Virginia Football Predictions
West Virginia fans have been spoiled of late and that’s why some expressed their dissatisfaction with head coach Bill Stewart following a nine win campaign that didn’t include a Big East title. Stewart figures to really have his work cut out for himself now with quarterback Pat White no longer under center. Find out where I have the Mountaineers finishing in the Big East race in this 2009 college football predictions article. West Virginia is listed at +6,000 to win the 2009 BCS Championship at BetUS.
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Offense - With White gone, senior QB Jarrett Brown will take over. The Mountaineers have boasted one of the best rushing attacks in the country with White under center, ranking 15th nationally in 2008 with a 209.9 yards per game average. This year, Stewart plans on implementing a more balanced attack under Brown as they feel he is a capable passer. But don’t expect the coaching staff to forget about junior running back Noel Devine. He rushed for 1,289 yards and four touchdowns last season with a ridiculous 6.25 yards per carry average. The offensive line returns just one starter in tackle Selvish Capers. Some of the other guys have experience, but the line could be what hold the Mountaineers back.
Defense - When the offense wasn’t the juggernaut that we were used to seeing in 2008, the West Virginia defense stole the show. The unit ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 17.0 points per game. Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel expects the Mountaineers to remain tough on this side of the football. Up front, they have a couple really good football players in nose tackle Chris Neild and defensive tackle Scooter Berry. Neild has been billed by Casteel as the best nose he’s coached during his West Virginia tenure. And juco transfer, defensive end Tevita Finau, figures to bolster the unit. The linebacker corps will miss Mortty Ivy, but the return of Reed Williams from injury will certainly help cushion the blow. He was the Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player of the Game in the 2007-08 season. And J.T. Thomas will be able to hold his own on the weak side. Three of five starters return in the secondary. Look for Brandon Hogan and Keith Tandy to man the corners, Sidney Glover and Eain Smith to man the safeties, and for Robert Sands to play Casteel’s special Bandit spot.
Prediction: 2nd Big East Conference – While I believe Jarrett Brown is ready to step in and win some games for the Mountaineers, it’s hard to think they can improve after losing a player of the caliber of Pat White, especially with so many starters gone up front. The Mountaineers will be bowling again and they will compete for a Big East title, but it will likely elude their grasp just as it did a season ago. West Virginia is listed at +250 to win the Big East title.
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Comments
2 Responses to “2009 West Virginia Football Predictions”
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Every loss last year (except ECU) was 4 points or less. The Big East title was just out of our grasp. With a little better clock management, and a field goal or two, we would have had it. I know that “almost” doesn’t count for much, but it’s not like WVU totally blew it last year. With an even better defense, Noel Devine, our great receivers, and Jarrett Brown passing, It would be very easy for us to win the Big East. It’s not that we’ll be a better team without Pat White, but we can be just as good as last year and win out.
Brian,
I completely agree with you and won’t be shocked at all if WVU takes the Big East. It’s been an offensive league, though, and WVU’s offensive numbers were way down last season. If the offense can improve on its 24.5 points per game average (73rd nationally), they could pull it off. Hope your Mountaineers can get it done. Thanks for the input and best of luck this season.