Dare I Say It?

You'll get the full rundown later this morning, but for now, I have just one thing on my mind...

Quote Of The Day

Don't beat me up but The Krag gets credit for the quote of the day and new stat of the year from this story in The Courier-Journal.

While talking about Slaton and White The Krag came up with this little nugget:

With these guys, they ought to talk about yards after juke.

Matt Zemek Might Wan To Check His Math

OK, you're Matt Zemek and you're a writer for CollegeFootballNews. You've been assigned the task of writing an analysis of the WVU-Rutgers game. Sound fun? You betcha. So, Mr. Zemek ended his piece with this:

The calculus of one Saturday showdown need not be more complicated than this: West Virginia-Rutgers was evenly played over the course of 98 percent of its snaps. But on a small handful of occasions, Rutgers drops--countered at the other end by dazzling, get-out-of-trouble runs by Slaton and also WVU
quarterback Pat White--made all the difference in the world. Six or seven snaps--especially two big ones midway through the third quarter--decided a game in which Rutgers played with an admirable amount of guts and grit. One deficient performance from one receiver sank the Scarlet Knights, while a huge play from a star running back enabled the Mountaineers to register their biggest win to date in the 2007 season.

98 Percent? Allow me to clarify- 98% of the game was evenly played. I'm sorry, Matty. I was there. The game was not 98% evenly played.

I can understand your argument that the game was closer than the score would indicate. However, when a team wins by 28 points and none of the scores came on fluke plays, it means one team took a whopping. Im sorry, I can't buy what your selling. Go try and sell it to Rutgers. I'm sure they're looking for a pick me up.

THE THRILL OF VICTORY

Well, despite Charley's early claims, I do travel to games. (Note: Charley passed on going to this game because his tummy hurt. True story.) This weekend, I went into the eye of the storm. Literally. The whole drive up was nothing but rain, which as you might imagine-sucked.

Then came gameday. Pregame, the only thing nastier than the weather were the Rutgers dance and cheerleading squads. Yikes. The weather cleared up before kickoff, but was still pretty windy. That would not last. The skies opened. Not really sure when, but at that point it got a little primal. Coincidently, that's the point in time that WVU just kicked it into overdrive and left the overmatched Scarlet Knights behind. It was sweet.

Obviously, the whole team played great. However, I want to mention the performance of Pat McAfee. He was great. From solid kickoffs to the big field goal before halftime, Pat was gigantic.

Some thoughts on Rutgers:

I went up to the game in 2005. Same weather as this game. This time, there were alot more Rutgers fans there. That's a positive for the program and the Big East.

On the flip side, the program still has a ways to go. 40,000 seat stadium? Come on. No out of town scores. No stats. A sub par band. Long lines at bathrooms. Fellas, you aren't going 3-8 anymore.

I don't like Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, but respect him. However, it was GREAT to watch him throw off his headphones and start walking out onto the field before Rod made his move. He had his ass kicked enough.

Have fun again down at Houston, Rutgers.

Meanwhile, the good guys are gaining steam. I pity Louisville, Cincy, UConn and Pitt.

You Got Knocked The F--k Out

Yes, you, Rutgers. Dominated. Owned. Pwned. Whatever you want. The tradition of Rutgers being West Fuckin' Virginia's bitch continues.

Just ask Ray Rice:

“We got outplayed,” said Rice, who rushed for 142 yards on 30 carries and became the first Rutgers player to surpass 1,000 yards rushing three times. “They came out here and executed, and we didn’t.”

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Rutgers, at times, moved the ball on the ground against WVU. But even during these stretches, not once did they make the "big play," turning sustained drives into points. Each time, WVU met that challenge. Sure, Rutgers shot themselves in the foot by dropping passes, but more times than not WVU's defense stepped-up in key situations. Even if WVU's offense played awful, the defense would have kept us in this game.

But, of course, the WVU offense didn't play awful. They didn't just play average. They played pretty fucking amazing. Finally, it seems, the luster we lost during the USF game has been replaced. No longer is the execution -- and playcalling -- in some type of comatose. They're both alive and well. The best example of this was the 51 yard slip screen thrown to Steve Slaton against an all-out blitz from Rutgers. Maybe it's luck to catch Rutgers at their most vulnerable, or maybe it was good preparation and a good call. One way to know is if this awesomeness continues, which after these last 3 games, I have no reason to think it won't.

Other random thoughts:

• It was good to see Noel Devine get back into action, though his 6 carries for 40 yards came when the game was already well in hand. Either way, any experience is good experience.


• WVU goes on the road and beats a 25th ranked Rutgers squad that had beaten USF the week before. Arizona State beats a similarly-ranked Cal team at home and finally Arizona State is for real. I know ASU is unbeaten, but does anybody actually think they're a better team than WVU? Dennis Erickson might even agree with me. Luckily, it's only a few years until they're on probation.
  


• Arizona State is so good, they have opened as a 7 point dog against Oregon. Seeing as how Oregon is the much stronger team, we have to cheer for ASU in this one, though a road win is unlikely.


• Fox Sports/CFN are still projecting WVU to the national title game. Stranger things have happened, I suppose. (5th Year Senior will be back later today with a full BCS post.)


• I have absolutely no idea what this means. Any ideas?
  

You've Been Nickled and Dimed

Yeah, trust me, I hated the use of "Nickel and Dime" just as much as you did. But when you can't think of a better headline...

Maybe A Promotional Mug?

Maybe a t-shirt? Something has to be done.

I have no idea how to get out the fact that our defense doesn't suck. Not only does it not suck, it's pretty damn awesome. This gives you a little better idea about this new-found awesomeness:

Defensively, the Mountaineers allowed only 214 yards and improved to No. 4 nationally. They rank in the top 12 in total defense, run defense, pass defense and scoring defense. The defense enabled the offense, as well, as fumble recoveries by Mortty Ivy and Marc Magro set up a field goal and a touchdown.

But you still get fucktards like Ivan Maisel who continued to bad-mouth the defense. Maybe we could just send Mortty Ivy door-to-door, terrorizing and intimidating individual commentators. Is that an NCAA violation? I certainly hope not.

[photo courtesy of the Daily Mail, via the Associated Press, via a camera]

WVU 38 Mississippi State 13

Alright, just got back from the game and I'm starving, so this is going to be quick.

I love the gold jersey's. The white outline on the numbers really make them pop and look sharp. Even Paris Hilton would say "That's Hot!"

The offense looked good in the first quarter but was absolutely horrendous the remainder of the game. Why do we only throw the ball over the middle in the redzone?

Now I am a believer in this defense. Dykes and Dingle gets after the quarterback, Mundy is a great safety, and Lankster is a solid cover corner.

If you are the guy who fell on his face in front of me today, Thank You! Your face was timeless. But the way your wife looked at you sprawled out on the ground, took a drink of her beer, and then continued walking away will make me laugh randomly for years.

Info + Tainment = Infotainment

I post the following video for two reasons:

1) It's a well-done highlight reel of us bouncing back from the loss at USF and winning at Syracuse; but more importantly...

2) Watch Steve Slaton carry the ball. Every single carry, he's holding the ball in his left hand. Even carries where it was obviously beneficial to be holding it in his right hand. Wasn't this a huge deal last season? Slaton's wrist was hurt so badly that he had to only carry the ball in his left hand. Are we seeing this again?

Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's something. Just putting it out there.

Two Heisman Hopefuls, Or None?

Unfortunately, and it pains me to say this, but one of these two is going to have to start to play badly for the other one to win the Heisman. Blasphemous? Hardly. Hear me out.

In the end, I think our season would be better served by neither winning the Heisman. They are both equally awesome players -- maybe a slight edge to Pat White -- and both steal a great deal of the others "stats."

Think about it. When does Pat White's Heisman stock go up? When Slaton has a tough game. And vice-versa. When they both dazzle, which is bound to happen more often than not, they'll end up splitting votes.

You might bring up Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. Both won Heismans. Both played on the same team. Well, two things: 1) Steve Slaton is not Reggie Bush. That's only a compliment to Bush, not a knock on Slaton. Bush was a highlight reel waiting to happen. Slaton is also a home-run hitter, but not in the same way; and 2) Leinart was Bush's elder. When Leinart won, he was the sole leader of the Trojans. Sure, it was Bush's breakout season, but it was still Leinart's show.

At WVU, it's both Pat's and Steve's show. They share it almost equally. My hope is that they both blow it up, split votes, finish 2nd and 3rd (or something like that) in the Heisman, and we go to the National Championship.

Then Devine wins it in 2009.

A Trip In The Wayback Machine

Set your dials all the way back to this past Saturday.

Sure it's USF week, but that doesn't mean we can't properly enjoy the beatdown of another three letter school (ECU) for a few more days.



PS: dougity dog, by far, makes the best WVU videos on the Internet. I am about 3 more awesome videos from having him put together a highlight reel of my wedding, set to Tupac of course.

PPS: I'm not married.

Pat And Erin, Sitting In A Tree...

We all know Pat White is an all-around awesome guy with a great life. My friend, at Kegler's last year, even had a picture taken of her and White, totally oblivious of the fact that the man she flippantly asked to take the picture was Steve Slaton. Slaton was pissed. White was loving it. Just another day in the life of Pat fucking White.

But that life just got a little bit better this past Saturday. As both the (Martinsburg) Journal and Deadspin have reported, Pat White and Erin Andrews totally made out on the 50 yard line of Mountaineer Field. OK, so maybe they didn't exactly make out, but she still kissed him, and if my copy of "Rules of Dating in Junior High School" is still accurate, they're now going steady. Bitchin!

If Pat White goes off for 300 passing and 200 rushing against South Florida, you'll know why. I just wonder how he's going to do it hiding that bulge in his pants.

ECU Recap: "That Was Easy"

This W was almost as easy as that Loserville cheerleader after one margarita!

First off let me allow myself to introduce...myself. My name is 5th Year Senior and I’m here to beat bitches up and give my unique angle on Mountaineer sports. This angle includes lots of rage, anger, and of course, love.

I have temper problems, so there will most likely be some incomprehensible posts and blah blah blah nobody really cares about this bullshit. What is this, Sorority "circle time" where we all sit around in our all white bra and panties and divulge our deepest darkest secrets and cry? Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t mind watching this exercise and encouraging a sweet pillow fight but I do not cry.

Alright, enough with the damn fluff, let’s get to the game and start talking about this ball-hawking defense. This was the best I have seen a West Virginia defense play in YEARS. The speed and strength that this defense showed on Saturday reminded me of the Mountaineer defenses of the late 80’s and early 90’s.

My main complaint with the Mountaineer defenses of the previous years was no pressure on the QB. This defense will get up in your grill and bust one off in your face. One of my favorite moves on a Saturday night...you know what I mean.

Dykes fought off double teams to get some penetration to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. The linebackers, especially Mortty Ivy, were flying all over the field and getting pressure on the QB. The secondary covered the deep pass well and were sure tacklers. This defense is good even though I’m still a little leery of the 3-3-5 defense against a good passing team like Loserville (great game against the Cuse this past weekend, by the way).

Not much you can say about the offense. We are Bad Ass Mother Fuckers (BAMF’s) and don’t take no shit from nobody. HUGE blocks by Jalloh, Hogan, Devine, and Lyons show me that these younger guys understand that they need to play hard and do their job on every play. We may not score less than 40 the rest of the season with this type of down-field blocking.

In case Devine reads this: keep your head up young man. You had a great game even though you were bottled up. Shit happens and you will have plenty more long runs this season.

Things that made me want to throw my shoe:

1. We still need a little more penetration from a D-Lineman other than Dykes because the double-teams are about to start coming. (Great job but we could always use more)


2. Our kick coverage needs to improve on deep kicks and the pop-ups or USF is going to take one back on us.


3. During the teams entrance people need to rock with the bad and get more rowdy than just clapping their hands. I’ve seen more lively crowds at WVU Symphony performances.


4. Students and Charley “I’m too good for the West Side” West need to come back after half-time and cheer for the damn Mountaineers. It is embarrassing to have all those empty seats on national TV. I know drinking is fun but just drink enough to kill a large moose before the game so there is no reason to leave at half-time. You just pass out for twenty minutes and awake to the sound of the musket for the second half.


5. The first down cheer should go W-V-U FIRST DOWN….Not HUU-HUU-HUU FIRST DOWN

This was the type of overall performance that this team needed. We will not fall in the polls the rest of the season if we keep playing like we did on Saturday. I want to end with some of my favorites ladies. Hope you liked the post and pictures. Let me know the areas I need some improvement

Just To Whet Your Appetite

Here are two of my favorite things: WVU football and tits, courtesy of the intimates section of the Sears catalog. Hey, you didn't always have Playboys growing up, sometimes you had to make due.

Get ready for a big week!

Sweet Fancy Moses We're Good

Noel Devine was the most hyped recruit in the history of West Virginia University, and that includes Robert Alexander and Jason Gwaltney. Needless to say, so far, he has lived up to every bit of that hype, both on and off the field.

It's tough to find anyone in the local or national media NOT loving Noel Devine. This is good for my WVU football perma-erection. Here is what Stewart Mandel has to say in his latest blog:

4) That Noel Devine is all that. It’s always interesting how some freshmen take longer than others to adjust to college. Among the nation’s elite recruits last February, USC signee Joe McKnight was the one expected to have the most immediate impact. Trojans practice observers are convinced McKnight will eventually deliver on his Reggie Bush-like promise, but so far he’s off to a rough start, injuring a knee ligament in preseason camp and mostly struggling in his limited on-field appearances so far. (Saturday night against Nebraska he had one carry for 5 yards and dropped an easy catch.) Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said afterward McKnight’s freshman season hasn’t been all that different so far from Bush’s, who didn’t truly begin making an impact until later in the year. “We need to do a better job of giving him more easy opportunities,” said Sarksian.

West Virginia’s Devine, on the other hand, has wasted no time making his presence felt. After using him sparingly in the Mountaineers’ first two games, coach Rich Rodriguez unleashed the former YouTube sensation in Thursday night’s nationally televised 31-14 win over Maryland, and while the Terps’ defense did an admirable job against WVU stars Pat White and Steve Slaton (holding them to a combined 159 yards on 37 attempts), they had no answer for the electrifying freshman Devine, who burst for runs of 76 and 31 yards and finished with 136 yards on just five carries. Devine’s recruiting stock slipped last winter because so many schools backed off him due to his academic and character concerns. I have not the foggiest idea how he’s doing in Morgantown academically and socially; football-wise, however, he’s already well ahead of the curve.

Be afraid. Be very very afraid. Actually, just go ahead and forfeit. At least it won't be as messy as what White + Slaton + Devine + Schmitt + Reynaud have in store for you.

3 Down

Well, well, Ralphy, make that four years in a row that you have not been able to figure out the Mountaineers. This time, the Terps simply didn't have the talent or the depth to play with the Mountaineers.

Here is a delayed recap of my thoughts of the game:

First, I thought Thursday's victory was a GREAT team win. After sleep walking through the first and second series, the D really stepped up last night. I loved the pressure and man coverage. I have never had such a swing of emotion from thinking this is one of our worst D's ever to later in the same game saying well these guys are not so bad.

I see a lot of people are being hard on Pat White, who did have an off night for him yet was still pretty good. I would remind people that we wore him out against Marshall and I sure his body and mind were still not together five days last. He got really beat up last week.

As for the rising star of the game, Noel Devine. Obviously, Charley has tackled this in detail, but there is one point I would like to make. Last year, the team was limited because they didn't have enough top talent after Slaton and White. Now, with Devine, it looks like Rod can plug him in and the offense will not miss a beat. This will be huge. Last year, I don't think they put Maryland away in the third quarter liked they did this season. Why? Because of Devine. His talent alone was the difference. When you combine this with the defense, I'm officially giddy for the rest of this season.

Now comes the break with Maryland. Good thing. Because the Fridge would stand no chance next year. But right now, I'm going to enjoy this season. I hope you do too.

"The Next Great One"

Instruments Up

A few years ago, when Pac-Man was still returning punts, the Mountaineers had a slogan entitled "Instruments Up!" I'm pretty sure they even had t-shirts made. "Instruments Up!" told the band that they better be ready to get that fight song rolling, because we were a threat to take it to the house at any time.

For the past few years, at least under White and Slaton, this has been just as true. We were a home-run threat at all times. Or at least I thought we were. Apparently I had no idea just how dangerous we could be.

Enter Noel Devine.

Last night was a watershed moment. I would venture a guess that no Mountaineer fan know exactly where our program will go from here. Devine is a force like we have not seen before. Rodriguez, White, and Slaton have taken our program to the next level, but Devine has the ability to catapult us into the stratosphere. That rarefied air where programs like USC, Florida, and Ohio State operate.

Devine will affect recruiting. Devine will affect marketing. Devine will affect exposure. How much? No one knows. But it will happen.

If the YouTube highlight reel was step #1 in the making of the legend of Noel Devine, then last night was step #2.

I have no idea what step #3 is -- yet -- but I have a feeling I will enjoy it.

My Religion Is Noel Devine

Click Clack

Yes, I know that the title of this post is lame. But, I gotta work up my detest towards all things Maryland. So, that includes Under Armor.

Before we get into the Terps, lets take a quick stroll back to last week.

Well, it won't be a long one. I went camping this past week and could only listen to the game. So that means you will have to rely on Charley Vest's post for a wrap up. By the way, ladies, did you catch that Charley Vest wears polo shirts to football games? Yes, he's a bit of a dandy. In addition to Vest's summation, the one thing I'm getting troubled with is Pat White's potential overuse running the football. Whenever Rod gets a little concern, he goes to White on a sweep or a draw. While White's a great security blanket, he has got to be healthy for Big East games.

Now that I have that off my chest, let's move onto the Terps.

Since Ralph Friedgen came to Maryland and turned around the program, I really, really have not liked Maryland. And with Virginia Tech deciding they would rather play a scrub team than West Virginia, Maryland has top billing on the non conference slate. Well, that is until next year when they take a 'break' on the series.

So, West Virginia must do the only proper thing. Crush 'em.