Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick Wrote:Toughest: @WVU. It’ll be late in the season, and I’m sure their defense will be rebuilt at that point. Close runner-up is @OU, but they have a lot of cogs to replace on D, and it’ll be more likely to get them early than WVU late.

Easiest: EKU. I think these I-AA games go away after 2009 for UC.

Most important: Aside from the next game, Cincy04 is dead on about getting the collective monkey off our backs. But, in addition to WVU/UL, you can throw Pitt in there, as we haven’t beaten them either.

You'll get one outa three of those wins. Just hope Louisville isn't the one.
Louisville
All the games are tough
none of the games are easy
And every last one is important
Two years of obscurity and it'll take ten years to regain our national respect and momentum.

Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick Wrote:Toughest: @WVU. It’ll be late in the season, and I’m sure their defense will be rebuilt at that point. Close runner-up is @OU, but they have a lot of cogs to replace on D, and it’ll be more likely to get them early than WVU late.

From all reports on the Mountaineers' spring practice, it looks like the defense isn't going to miss a beat. With JC transfers, Tivita Finau, Larry Ford, and D.J. Shaw, coming this fall, reloading West Virginia's D-line won't be a problem. WVU's LBs may be the fastest in the nation, and all have big-game experience. The DBs are coming along nicely, and a couple of tranfers will help out this group as well.

As things stand at the moment, here's WVU's projected starting lineup for the Villanova game from the Charleston Gazette...

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:Projecting WVU's lineup vs. Villanova
Trying to watch spring football practices is akin to watching a street magician with a ball and cups.
By Mitch Vingle Sports Editor
April 6, 2008

Trying to watch spring football practices is akin to watching a street magician with a ball and cups.

At WVU, there's offensive lineman Donny Barclay. See him? Got a fix? OK, now he's at right tackle. Now right guard. Now left tackle.

Just try and determine where he'll be in the fall.

Today, though, that's exactly what I'll attempt - with the help of a little insight and an almost totally useless depth chart.

The idea stems from the curiosity among Mountaineer fans in regard to their team's linebackers. West Virginia coach Bill Stewart has four very good ones - Pat Lazear, Reed Williams, Mortty Ivy and J.T. Thomas - and just three positions.

All, of course, will play in the fall. A bunch. But first Ivy was the weak-side linebacker, then ...

What's that? Get to the point? OK. The expectation from here is, when WVU lines up against Villanova on Aug. 30, your trio will be Ivy, Williams and Thomas. Ivy is the best strong-side linebacker, the biggest of the four, the most capable to help with run support. Thus, expect him to be the Sam.

Lazear, listed first at that position, is tough as nails and more suited for middle linebacker. That's undoubtedly where he'll play next season, when Williams has moved out. So expect Lazear to go ahead and move over later this spring or in the fall. Which leaves the athletic Thomas at the Will or weak-side position, where pass support is needed.

Otherwise?

Here are my projections for the depth chart four months and a couple weeks from today:

OFFENSE

WR - 1. Alric Arnett, 2. Wes Lyons
WR - 1. Tito Gonzales or Devon Lyons, 2. Will Johnson
SLOT - 1. Jock Sanders, 2. Brandon Hogan (both when two slots are used)
TE - 1. Tyler Rader, 2. Sam Morrone
LT - 1. Ryan Stanchek, 2. Barclay
LG - 1. Greg Isdaner, 2. John Bradshaw
C - 1. Mike Dent, 2. Eric Jobe
RG - 1. Jake Figner, 2. Eric Rodemoyer or Gino Gradkowski
RT - 1. Selvish Capers, 2. Stephen Maw
QB - 1. Pat White, 2. Jarrett Brown, 3. Bradley Starks
TB - 1. Noel Devine, 2. Mark Rodgers
FB - 1. Thor Merrow, 2. Max Anderson

DEFENSE

DT - 1. Scooter Berry, 2. Doug Slavonic
NT - 1. Chris Neild, 2. D.J. Shaw
DE - 1. Zac Cooper, 2. Tevita Finau
SLB - 1. Ivy, 2. Archie Sims
MLB - 1. Williams, 2. Lazear
WLB - 1. Thomas, 2. Ovid Goulbourne
CB - 1. Kent Richardson, 2. Brantwon Bowser
CB - 1. Ellis Lankster, 2. Guesly Dervil
SS - 1. Sidney Glover, 2. Robert Sands
FS - 1. Boogie Allen, 2. Nate Sowers
BS - 1. Quinton Andrews, 2. Charles Pugh

Hardcore WVU fans may have noticed a few players listed who aren't even practicing with the team yet. But I have to believe Devon Lyons wouldn't transfer from Ohio State, with one year of eligibility, to sit. If he's healthy and isn't a starter at the beginning of the season, look for him to become one as the year moves along.

Along the defensive line, expect junior-college transfers Shaw and Finau to immediately contribute. And Stewart loves Rodgers, the incoming tailback, and Sands, the 6-6 true freshman safety arriving from Miami.

Just remember to keep your eyes on the ball. And the Ivy. And the Barclay ...

To contact staff writer Mitch Vingle, call (304) 348-4827 or send e-mail to mitchvingle@wvgazette.com[/i].

I'm not sure how they'll play when fall comes around. But things look good so far, and Stewart is high on the team's chemistry.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the Mountaineers do under Stewart this year. If he has them playing anywhere near like he did against Oklahoma, this is going to be a year to remember in Morgantown.