After back-to back 9-4 seasons and a ranking in the Top 25, Mountaineers head coach Bill Stewart will try to remain optimistic as his team finished the 2009 season with a 33-21 loss to Florida State in the Gator Bowl. Defense was key to the team's success ranking 36th allowing only 25 touchdowns while allowing their opponents an average of 330.0 total yards against them per game. Offensively, the Mountaineers will need some work, finishing the 2009 season ranked 61st, scoring 41 touchdowns and averaging 381.6 yards per game. Senior running back Noel Devine will look lead this team to a national championship, something that could be difficult with a sophomore at quarterback and a questionable front line.
Here's a closer look at the 2010 West Virginia Mountaineers to help make your College Football wagers winners. For a detailed look at the /2010-big-east-football-predictions-621/">2010 Big East Football Predictions check this out.
Offense:
Despite having four returning starters, the offensive line still lacks depth, but will get a boost from the addition 6-6, 330-pound guard Quinton Spain from Petersburg High in Virginia. He will be flanked by Big East all-freshman team center Joe Madsen. The line will be rounded out with Eric Jobe, Josh Jenkins and Don Barclay, all whom gained plenty of experience playing a full schedule last season.
Their job will be to protect sophomore-starting quarterback Geno Smith, who stepped in for an injured Jarrett Brown last year. Smith himself suffered a broken foot while working out early in the off-season and it is questionable on how effective he will be after being limited in what he could do during spring practice. If Smith is not ready, Parade All-American back up Barry Brunetti may to see time on the field as well.
Devine is coming off a stellar season rushing for over 1,400 yards and 13 TDs. But even with that kind of command of the running game, it's expected that 247-pound fullback Ryan Clarke who was used primarily utilized as a run blocker last season, could be integrated into the WVU rushing attack.
That could prove critical, taking some of the pressure off Devine and a scrawny receiving corp. that will feel the loss of senior wide receiver Alric Arnett. Filling the void for the Mountaineers will be slot receiver Jock Sanders and deep ball specialist Bradley Starks. Ivan McCartney, a high school teammate of prospective starting quarterback Geno Smith rounds out the group.
Defense:
The defense will return nine veteran starters from last year's campaign but will sorely miss senior linebacker Reed Williams along with his 68 tackles and two sacks in 2009. But both backups, Najee Goode and Anthony Leonard, who received some valuable experience last year, are back and will start between leading tacklers Pat Lazear and J.T. Thomas, quelling most of the concerns at the position.
Guarding against the oppositions passing attack is free safety Robert Sands, whose breakout season in 2009 earned him All-Big East accolades. He dragged down five interceptions and 65 tackles. Cornerback Brandon Hogan was an All-American honorable mention and was an All-Big East first teamer after his breakout junior campaign. The secondary can also expect some big plays from safety Sidney Glover, who could be one of college football's elites this coming season.
Finally, the front four will hope to get back DT Scooter Berry who has been sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is expected to sit out spring practice and could be questionable for the start of the season. Defensive end Julian Miller, who led the team with nine sacks last season, and nose tackle Chris Neild will shoulder much of the burden to sustain the pass rush for a full 60 minutes. While there is some experience in the reserves, there is still a plenty of concern with this unit performing to last year's intensity.
2010 Prediction: Fourth in the Big East. Head coach Bill Stewart will want to improve on last season's performance that left some of the University's important alumni questioning Smith's ability to elevate the team higher than former head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recorded 11 wins in each of his final seasons. Getting to a bowl game is one thing, winning it is another, and a must for Stewart in 2010. West Virginia are favored at +300 betting odds to win the Big East Conference, but they will need to better last season's 5-2 record in conference play if their going to make any noise this year.
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