#20 WVU @ TX Tech 10/15/2016
Today's 48-17 dismantling of the Red Raiders (3-3) by the up and coming Mountaineers (5-0) have put them in the spotlight as a possible Big 12 title contender and potential Play-Off hopeful. However, the last time they started out 5-0 in the Big 12, they imploded under a weak defense and an overrated QB in Geno Smith. The difference in that team and this team is the defense is much better now and the offense is becoming consistent under Skylar Howard. My biggest concern for their defense this year is their pass D. However, if they can play as well as they did today the rest of the season, they have the opportunity to skyrocket to the top of the FBS. Texas Tech's offense is ranked 1st at 544 passing yards per game and second at 649 total yards per game for FBS teams. Compare that to the shutdown defense of WVU today, holding the Red Raiders to 379 total yards on 77 plays, 34 yards rushing and 345 passing. WVU does not have the same powerhouse offense that Tech boasts however they showed up to play and Howard was able to finish the game off without throwing a pick, a feat he hasn't been able to claim this season before now. The WVU efforts on both sides of the ball were extremely impressive, especially considering the WVU defense only had 1 takeaway. As much as I love my Mountaineers, my relationship with them has been filled with heartbreak since their 13-7 loss to Pitt back in 2007 that saw the end of the Rich Rod era. I want to believe they have a strong enough team to win the Big 12 but I am not fully on the bandwagon. My position might change after their next two games, playing at home against TCU followed by a trip to Oklahoma State. Both of those games should be challenging and if they are able to steam roll through there, it very well could come down to a defacto Big 12 championship game in December when the Bears visit Milan Puskar Stadium if the Mountaineers can successfully navigate Oklahoma in route.
Game Ball: Today's game ball goes to Skyler Howard. I have privately been a harsh critic of him because I do not believe he is the caliber QB that Coach Holgorsen does, but Howard has started this season off strong. He only has 4 picks so far and is on a path to eclipse his 2015 Passing yards total of 2613 yards (1272 passing yards 5 games into the 2016 season) and he's averaging 100 more pass yards per game this season over last. Needless to say, he's stepped up his game this year and it is showing.
Photo retrieved from http://www.smokingmusket.com/2016/10/15/13294704/west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-texas-tech-red-raiders-big-12-football-final-score-recap-result on 15 October, 2016.
