Post by wvumaryjane on Aug 19, 2007 7:55:27 GMT -5
West Virginia could give the BCS its 10th champ
Why not West Virginia?
It has been close in recent years to sitting atop college's football mountain.
Now, West Virginia is ready to seal the deal. That's right, the Mountaineers are a good choice to make it 10 different BCS champs in 10 years.
They deserve it having won at least a share of the Big East title three times in the last four years.
And the Big East deserves it, which would cap a stunning ascent for a league that many felt wasn't worthy of an automatic BCS bowl berth just a few scant years ago.
"We no longer are a Cinderella," says Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese.
West Virginia has shown it can play with the big boys in recent years, dumping the likes of 2005 SEC champ Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and 2006 ACC runner-up Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl.
It all begins and ends on an offense that's as deadly and explosive as any in the nation. There's not one -- but two -- Heisman Trophy candidates: QB Patrick White and RB Steve Slaton. While West Virginia is noted for its deadly spread/read option run game, don't underestimate the passing of White, who has improved his precision and savvy each season. And White has a cache of capable targets, headed by Wes Lyons and Darius Reynaud.
But what makes WVU an even sexier pick to win the BCS title game in New Orleans is its defense.
To be kind: the West Virginia defense has been, well, average under Rich Rodriguez. But it's a veteran-laden crew with promise that's loaded with the athletic ability to make coordinator Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 scheme thrive. If coverage in the secondary tightens ... look out.
The road blocks? There are three big ones: games at Maryland, at South Florida and at Rutgers. And a home tilt with Louisville figures to be cumbersome. Still, this is a manageable menu of games, further fueling optimism in Morgantown.
Another reason to like WVU's chances: There's no Big East title game to trip up the Mountaineers.
And then there's Rodriguez, who deserves to be mentioned in any conversation of "best coaches in America." He combines unmatched ability to X and O with an engaging personality that allows him to connect to his player and staff.
Yeah, why not West Virginia?
www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=257054
Why not West Virginia?
It has been close in recent years to sitting atop college's football mountain.
Now, West Virginia is ready to seal the deal. That's right, the Mountaineers are a good choice to make it 10 different BCS champs in 10 years.
They deserve it having won at least a share of the Big East title three times in the last four years.
And the Big East deserves it, which would cap a stunning ascent for a league that many felt wasn't worthy of an automatic BCS bowl berth just a few scant years ago.
"We no longer are a Cinderella," says Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese.
West Virginia has shown it can play with the big boys in recent years, dumping the likes of 2005 SEC champ Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and 2006 ACC runner-up Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl.
It all begins and ends on an offense that's as deadly and explosive as any in the nation. There's not one -- but two -- Heisman Trophy candidates: QB Patrick White and RB Steve Slaton. While West Virginia is noted for its deadly spread/read option run game, don't underestimate the passing of White, who has improved his precision and savvy each season. And White has a cache of capable targets, headed by Wes Lyons and Darius Reynaud.
But what makes WVU an even sexier pick to win the BCS title game in New Orleans is its defense.
To be kind: the West Virginia defense has been, well, average under Rich Rodriguez. But it's a veteran-laden crew with promise that's loaded with the athletic ability to make coordinator Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 scheme thrive. If coverage in the secondary tightens ... look out.
The road blocks? There are three big ones: games at Maryland, at South Florida and at Rutgers. And a home tilt with Louisville figures to be cumbersome. Still, this is a manageable menu of games, further fueling optimism in Morgantown.
Another reason to like WVU's chances: There's no Big East title game to trip up the Mountaineers.
And then there's Rodriguez, who deserves to be mentioned in any conversation of "best coaches in America." He combines unmatched ability to X and O with an engaging personality that allows him to connect to his player and staff.
Yeah, why not West Virginia?
www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=257054
