WHAT BETTORS NEED TO KNOW: WEST VIRGINIA AT COLORADO
What Bettors Need to Know: West Virginia at Colorado
Long-Term Deal
West Virginia eliminated any speculation about the depth of its commitment to new coach Bill Stewart by signing Stewart to a six year contract starting at $800,000 this year and increasing $50,000 annually.
Stewart will be coaching his first game with his newfound security, as the deal was just announced days ago.
Dissing the Buffs
After defeating in-state rival Colorado State 38-17 in the opener, Colorado looked sloppy two weeks ago in barely defeating Eastern Washington 31-24.
The Buffaloes trailed 21-7 at the half and only secured victory with a late interception return for a touchdown.
Said Eastern Washington defensive back Ryan Kelley: “I don’t like to talk bad about teams, but they aren’t going to get far in the Big-12. They aren’t playing like a Big-12 team. They’re playing like a Big Sky team.”
Colorado coach Dan Hawkins hinted that his team’s poor performance had more to do with complacency. “We always tell our guys not to get caught up in the decal on the side of the helmet,” said Hawkins. “(But) it’s hard a lot of times when you have young guys.”
When it’s Time to Change…You’ve got to Rearrange
West Virginia opened the season in a state of transition from the spread offense of former coach Rich Rodriguez to a more pass-oriented pro-style offense. The change comes with an entirely new set of terminology for players to master.
The difficulties of this transition were evident in the team’s 24-3 loss to East Carolina. This marked the first time since a 45-3 loss to Miami in 2001 (Rodriguez’s first year) that the Mountaineers failed to score a touchdown.
While West Virginia has one of the most heralded offensive lines in the country, they are accustomed aggressive run-blocking with zone schemes as opposed to the pass-blocking skills that the new system calls for.
Mountaineer offensive linemen are making no excuses for their poor performance against East Carolina, however, and are seeking redemption against Colorado.
Devine Involvement
Stewart has indicated his intention to re-emphasize the power running game against Colorado.
In the team’s first two games, QB Pat White has thrown 51 times, by far the greatest two game total of his three-year tenure as starter. In turn, explosive running back Noel Devine is averaging just 10.5 carries a game.
“He needs to get the ball more,” says Stewart.
Look for a heavy dose of Devine on Thursday. Stewart has also hinted that we can expect the option to emerge as a new weapon for White and Devine.
Pass Heavy in Boulder
The Colorado offense has been even more conspicuously imbalanced towards the pass. QB Cody Hawkins has thrown for 475 yards with two TD’s and a 71.8 completion percentage.
Meanwhile, the running game is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry – 90th in the nation.
Freshman Fifteen
Colorado Freshman running back Darrell Scott was one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation out of St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California. In his junior year Scott rushed for over 3000 yards, a ridiculous 9.5 yards per carry, and 45 touchdowns.
Without playing a game Scott was named second-team pre-season All-Big-12 by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.
After showing up at camp twenty pounds over his playing weight of 205, Scott has already lost fifteen pounds. Despite not being in his best shape, he has been the Buffs leading rusher thus far and has shown flashes of what many believe is the greatness to come.
Said Scott, “I’m getting faster each week, and when I get to 205, if I get to 205, it’s going to be bad. It’s going to be like high school all over again with my speed.”
A Tale of Two D’s
Defense has been a bright spot for Colorado thus far. The Buffs are allowing an average of just 59 yards on the ground and held Eastern Washington to three points in the second half.
West Virginia, on the other hand, has appeared lost on defense, particularly by their recent standards. Through the first two games, against Villanova and Eastern Washington no less, the Mountaineers have allowed teams to convert fifteen of thirty third down attempts.
Of particular concern is a young secondary that allowed Villanova to go 21-27 through the air for 266 yards and East Carolina 22-28 for 236.
This could be troublesome against Colorado’s pass-happy offense.
Altitude
Several Mountaineer players have become enamored of a special training box left over from the Rodriguez era that is supposed to make players more accustomed to high altitude conditions.
West Virginia coach Stewart downplays the issue and states that he does not expect Boulder’s mile-high altitude to present a problem.
Line Moves
The line opened at 3, dipped briefly to 2.5, and then returned to 3.
The over/under was initially set at 56.5 and has since moved up to 57.
