Post by elp525 on Sept 30, 2011 4:22:49 GMT -5
September 29, 2011
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
Quarterbacks
The percentage numbers of WVU quarterback Geno Smith, understandably, dipped a bit after the LSU game. In fact, Bowling Green's quarterback, Matt Schilz, enters the game with a better efficiency rating of 167.5 to Smith's 146.05. But Smith has thrown 49 more passes and is averaging 367.8 yards a game to Schilz's 292.2. Plus, the completion percentages are almost identical.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Running backs
One has to keep in mind the teams' competition when making a call here. All of the main runners in the game will be freshmen. WVU's No. 1 rusher is Vernard Roberts, averaging 30.2 yards, while Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison are averaging 29.3 and 16.2, respectively. Bowling Green freshman Anthon Samuel, meanwhile, is averaging a surprising 107 yards. However, pedigree will show.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Wide receivers
There are no BG receivers near the talent level of WVU's Tavon Austin, who has 31 catches and is averaging 105.8 yards per game. Keep an eye out, though, for Eugene Cooper and Kamar Jorden. The latter has more catches (26), but the former is averaging 93.5 yards per game. WVU's stable, however, is rock solid with Stedman Bailey and Ivan McCartney, in addition to Austin.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Offensive line
Bowling Green's rushing attack has been much improved over last season and the offensive line gets much of the credit. Left tackle Ben Bojicic, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior, is an absolute stud. The line is pushing for an average of 164.8 rushing yards. WVU, led by Don Barclay, is averaging 76.5. But the Mountaineers have been going against Maryland and LSU. The Falcons got much versus Morgan State.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Defensive line
Bowling Green has but one senior starter on defense and that's end Kevin Moore. Yet the Falcons have been able to hold opponents to 95 rushing yards a game. West Virginia, on the other hand, has been giving up an average of 133.5 yards. Jorge Wright and Bruce Irvin have 13 tackles apiece, while Irvin has WVU's only sack this season. Again, though, consider the teams' opponents.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Linebackers
Dwayne Woods is a Butkus Award candidate at middle linebacker and leads the Falcons with 29 tackles, including a couple of sacks. Opponents are averaging 294.2 yards of total offense. WVU's Najee Goode, meanwhile, is now his team's leading tackler with 31. WVU is allowing 328 yards of offense. Watch to see if Mountaineer Josh Francis can get on track.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Secondary
If there's a place on Bowling Green's defense with a bulls-eye painted on it, the secondary would be it. Cornerback Cameron Truss has been hurt and the Falcons are allowing an average of 199.2 passing yards a game. Watch "stud" Ryland Ward, who has an interception. WVU corner Pat Miller, with 29 tackles and three pass breakups, has been coming on. The Mountaineers are allowing an average of 195.2 passing yards.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Special teams
There are two distinct standouts in this comparison. Bowling Green's Brian Schmiedebusch is the nation's No. 1 punter, averaging 49.1 yards per kick. The Falcons are No. 1 in net punting. In kickoff returns, though, they are No. 116. WVU's star is Tavon Austin on both punt and kickoff returns. Mountaineer kicker Tyler Bitancurt, now 7-of-8 this season, gives the home team the slight edge.
EDGE: Mountaineers
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
Quarterbacks
The percentage numbers of WVU quarterback Geno Smith, understandably, dipped a bit after the LSU game. In fact, Bowling Green's quarterback, Matt Schilz, enters the game with a better efficiency rating of 167.5 to Smith's 146.05. But Smith has thrown 49 more passes and is averaging 367.8 yards a game to Schilz's 292.2. Plus, the completion percentages are almost identical.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Running backs
One has to keep in mind the teams' competition when making a call here. All of the main runners in the game will be freshmen. WVU's No. 1 rusher is Vernard Roberts, averaging 30.2 yards, while Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison are averaging 29.3 and 16.2, respectively. Bowling Green freshman Anthon Samuel, meanwhile, is averaging a surprising 107 yards. However, pedigree will show.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Wide receivers
There are no BG receivers near the talent level of WVU's Tavon Austin, who has 31 catches and is averaging 105.8 yards per game. Keep an eye out, though, for Eugene Cooper and Kamar Jorden. The latter has more catches (26), but the former is averaging 93.5 yards per game. WVU's stable, however, is rock solid with Stedman Bailey and Ivan McCartney, in addition to Austin.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Offensive line
Bowling Green's rushing attack has been much improved over last season and the offensive line gets much of the credit. Left tackle Ben Bojicic, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior, is an absolute stud. The line is pushing for an average of 164.8 rushing yards. WVU, led by Don Barclay, is averaging 76.5. But the Mountaineers have been going against Maryland and LSU. The Falcons got much versus Morgan State.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Defensive line
Bowling Green has but one senior starter on defense and that's end Kevin Moore. Yet the Falcons have been able to hold opponents to 95 rushing yards a game. West Virginia, on the other hand, has been giving up an average of 133.5 yards. Jorge Wright and Bruce Irvin have 13 tackles apiece, while Irvin has WVU's only sack this season. Again, though, consider the teams' opponents.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Linebackers
Dwayne Woods is a Butkus Award candidate at middle linebacker and leads the Falcons with 29 tackles, including a couple of sacks. Opponents are averaging 294.2 yards of total offense. WVU's Najee Goode, meanwhile, is now his team's leading tackler with 31. WVU is allowing 328 yards of offense. Watch to see if Mountaineer Josh Francis can get on track.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Secondary
If there's a place on Bowling Green's defense with a bulls-eye painted on it, the secondary would be it. Cornerback Cameron Truss has been hurt and the Falcons are allowing an average of 199.2 passing yards a game. Watch "stud" Ryland Ward, who has an interception. WVU corner Pat Miller, with 29 tackles and three pass breakups, has been coming on. The Mountaineers are allowing an average of 195.2 passing yards.
EDGE: Mountaineers
Special teams
There are two distinct standouts in this comparison. Bowling Green's Brian Schmiedebusch is the nation's No. 1 punter, averaging 49.1 yards per kick. The Falcons are No. 1 in net punting. In kickoff returns, though, they are No. 116. WVU's star is Tavon Austin on both punt and kickoff returns. Mountaineer kicker Tyler Bitancurt, now 7-of-8 this season, gives the home team the slight edge.
EDGE: Mountaineers
