From the Blue Lot

Each week, Danks and Dookiestyle will answer questions about the Mountaineers upcoming game...

What's the response to last Friday's debacle against Syracuse?

Dookie – Who knows. It seems like everything regarding WVU football right now is up in there air. It seemed as if we had developed some stability, at least on the field, leading up to the bye week and going into Syracuse. A strong national ranking…nationally televised game…

And bang. Snotted.

The response would be to destroy Rutgers on the road, and on national television. But…it’s a road game. Those are proving to be hard this year in the Big East for all teams. Hopefully, WVU comes out the winner. A response that would be reassuring to the fans would be a strong defensive and special teams performance.

Danks: PAINNNNN. Well, hopefully. That was one for the worst losses in recent memory, and hopefully one that embarrassed the hell out of them. I expect a much different attitude tonight, one that is much more focused. I also expect that if people do screw up they may not see the field again. It's time for accountability. This team can't afford to lose another game in conference.

I think a quick start will go a long way against a Rutgers team that is struggling offensively. Plus, WVU always beats the Knights...always. And, no I don't believe in jinxes.

Do you think that all of this conference shit is having an effect on the team?

Dookie - It has to be having an effect on the entire program. You wanna say that it shouldn’t, and that the coaches should be keeping the team focused and what have you. But this stuff is everywhere. It has to be on their minds.

Put it in perspective…you’re 19 years old, playing football for WVU and you are from New Jersey. Your whole family gets to see you play at least once a year. And next year, you may not be playing an away game in New Jersey or Connecticut, but in Manhattan, Kansas or in Iowa. Probably would be on your mind a little bit too.

Danks: There is no question. These kids want to know what their future is, and it's not that hard to get wrapped up in all the news on blogs and Twitter. Hopefully now that WVU is headed to the Big 12, the kids and the fans can get back to matters most: winning the crappy Big East.

Should be just kickoff out of bounds?

Dookie - It certainly couldn’t hurt at this time. Or move some starters on to the coverage team. Motivate them by cutting their playing time. Just absolutely shocking how that could happen after a bye week. Just tell the ref to spot the ball at the 50. At least save some time for the offense to get back on the field.

Danks: Yes...Yes.