Well folks, the day is finally here. Though some teams opened their schedules earlier in the week, the season doesn't really start until your team plays their first game. Today at 3:30 the Mountaineers open against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Mountaineer Field. I'm off to the stadium, so my in-game updates will be infrequent at best, but here's what we have to look forward to this afternoon in Morgantown:
-The Geno Smith era begins. The sophomore quarterback is a great unknown, who looked talented but green and in over his head when pressed into action last season. Coach Stewart has great expectations for his new quarterback:
I want Geno to play fearless and I want him to lead. I want him to get in that huddle and command that respect. That is what all great quarterbacks do – they commanded that presence.
..if that happens, he'll be fine this week and it will serve to ease him in as he prepares to face stiffer competition.
-The Defense. Season hasn't started yet, and they're already a little dinged up. JT Thomas says its no big deal, but the Mountaineers need JT to play well all year long. I, for one, am hoping that this game gets out of hand early enough to rest most of the key players in the second half.
- Let's see Bruce Irvin. We've read all the hype, but now I want to see if the Mountaineers really have a legit pass-rusher who can spend most of his afternoon in the backfield.
- Jock Sanders and Noel Devine running wild. I expect WVU to lean heavily on our two offensive playmakers, and since this is FCS-level competition I think they should get to the second level and beyond. Hopefully over, and over, and over....
In the end, while some are expecting tedious and tense hand-wringing display of underachievement, I have a hunch we'll see the game we expect. WVU dominating from whistle to whistle