Deep Thoughts, WVU Style

I hate Tampa. I hate everything about playing at USF. Of course it doesn't help that WVU hasn't won there since 2005. It's always a struggle against the Bulls. The game is normally full of mistakes, with WVU usually dealing with an uphill battle early-on. It's critical for the Mountaineers to get off to a solid start. But, considering WVU has only played one good 1st quarter all year, I won't be holding my breath.

Tavon Austin got all the attention at the beginning of the season, and for good reason. The Junior has torn it up, but the big play star moving forward seems to be Stedman Bailey. It's incredible to watch him play. Bailey is a threat anytime he catches the ball. In fact, 18% of his 60 receptions are touchdowns. That's a pretty solid number. So, look for Bailey to continue to get better. And, don't worry about Austin. He'll put up close to 100 receptions next year as well. Not a bad one-two.

Jabarie Hinds is the real deal. What he did to Akron the other night was simply nasty. Hinds is starting to find the confidence that he needs to help lead the backcourt into the Big East schedule. He leads the team in assists and steals already, and also is shooting 60.5% from the field. Just like the rest of the freshmen, he needs to let the game come to him a little bit more. But, overall this kid is maturing nicely.

I keep thinking what the next school to have an abuse scandal is going to be. Should we be concerned that it could be WVU? I have no reason to believe it would be, but you could say the same thing about Syracuse and Penn State fans. Sadly, some type of abuse probably happens everyday on college campuses nationwide. It's prevalent, and the best way to deter it is to make it public. So, if something has happened in Morgantown, I hope it does go public. Nobody should have the live in fear and shame. And, who cares what the fallout will be. Humanity before athletics.

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Flying Dub-V Top 25, Week 13

Here is this week's Top-25

1. LSU (12-0)

2. Alabama (11-1)

3. Oklahoma State (10-1)

4. Stanford (11-1)

5. Boise State (11-1)

6. Arkansas (10-2)

7. Virginia Tech (11-1)

8. Houston (12-0)

9. Oregon (10-2)

10. Michigan State (10-2)

11. USC (10-2)

12. Georgia (10-2)

13. Oklahoma (9-2)

14. South Carolina (10-2)

15. Kansas State (9-2)

16. Michigan (10-2)

17. Wisconsin (10-2)

18. Baylor (8-3)

19. TCU (10-2)

20. Nebraska (9-3)

21. West Virginia (8-3)

22. Clemson (9-3)

23. Penn State (9-3)

24. Southern Miss (10-2)

25. Florida State (8-4)

Big East Power Rankings, Week 13

1. West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 in conference): Squeaked out a win in the Backyard Brawl, and seem to be in a good place to get BCS bid. Next Step...MUST WIN at South Florida.

2. Louisville (7-5, 5-2): Outstanding turnaround for the Cardinals this season. The Cards won five of their last six. Next Step...Hoping Cincy loses.

3. Cincinnati (8-3, 4-2): The Bearcats had a great win over Syracuse, keeping their hopes alive for the BCS. Next Step...Need to beat UConn, and WVU to lose.

4. Rutgers (8-4, 4-3): Not really sure what happened last week in Storrs, but a fine season nonetheless. Next Step...Awaiting bowl bid.

5. Pittsburgh (5-6, 3-3): A very disappointing loss last week in Morgantown. They really gave it away. Next Step...Hosting Syracuse for a chance at a bowl bid.

6. Connecticut (5-6, 3-3): The Huskies dismantled Rutgers last week in what was their finest win of the season. Next Step...Looking to get bowl eligible in Cincinnati.

7. South Florida (5-6, 1-5): The Bulls just didn't have the horses to stay with Louisville last week. t's just been that kind of year. Next Step...Possible bowl bid with win over WVU.

8. Syracuse (5-6, 1-5): A year to forget for the Orange. Still looking for their first win in over a month. Next Step...Final chance in Pittsburgh.

Records be Falling (Updated)

In Year One of the new offensive scheme that Dana Holgrosen brought with him, the Mountaineers have performed well. Yes, there have been some hiccups, mistakes, a few too many turnovers. But, considering where they were at this time last year, it's night and day. Actually this season has been so productive through the air that passing and receiving records are going to be broken all over the place. Here are just a few of the major ones that should be changing hands over the next few weeks.

UPDATE: Here are the latest numbers for WVU. Some of the records have already been broken.

(records courtesy of wvustats.com)

Geno Smith

Total Yards

Record: 3,515 yards (Marc Bulger, 1998)

2011 Geno: 3,662 yards (NEW RECORD)

Passing yards

Record: 3,607 yards (Marc Bulger, 1998)

2011 Geno: 3,741 yards (NEW RECORD)

Pass Completions

Record: 274 (Marc Bulger, 1998)

2011 Geno: 291 (NEW RECORD)

Pass Attempts

Record: 419 (Marc Bulger, 1998)

2011 Geno: 448 (NEW RECORD)

Passing Touchdowns

Record: 31 (Marc Bulger, 1998)

2011 Geno: 25

Tavon Austin

All-Purpose Yards

Record: 2,104 (Steve Slaton, 2006)

2011 Tavon: 2,086

Receptions

Record: 77 (David Saunders, 1998 and Shawn Foreman, 1997)

2011 Tavon: 82 (NEW RECORD)

Stedman Bailey

Receiving Yards

Record: 1,043 (David Saunders, 1996)

2011 Stedman: 1,117 (NEW RECORD)

Receiving Touchdowns

Record: 12 (Darius Reynaud, 2007 and Chris Henry, 2004)

2011 Stedman: 11

Former Mountaineers in the NFL, Week 12

Anthony Becht, TE, Chiefs: Was targeted once, and had one tackle in loss to Steelers.

PacMan Jones, CB, Bengals: Registered two tackles and had one pass defensed in win over Browns.

Brandon Hogan: Was inactive for the Panthers. Yet to play this year.

Ellis Lankster, CB, Jets: Was inactive for the Jets this week.

Pat McAfee, P, Colts: Had five punts, with an average of 45.6 in a loss to Carolina.

Corey McIntyre, FB, Bills: Started, but didn't register any stats in Buffalo's loss to the Jets.

Ryan Mundy, FS, Steelers: Finished with the team lead in tackles with 11. Also had an interception in win over Chiefs.

Chris Neild, NT, Redskins: Registered one tackle in win over Seattle.

Robert Sands, FS, Bengals: Inactive again for the Bengals. Has yet to suit up this year.

Owen Schmitt, FB, Eagles: Didn't register any stats in loss to Patriots.

Steve Slaton, RB, Dolphins: Was inactive this week for the Dolphins.

Injuries:

J.T. Thomas: Injured Reserve

It's Gameweek! Week 14 Primer

Matchup: West Virginia at South Florida

When: Thur, 8p, ESPN

Line: WVU -1

West Virginia Players to Watch:

Geno Smith, QB: 3,741 yards, 25 TD, 5 INT

Tavon Austin, WR: 82 rec, 2,086 all-purpose yards, 6 TD

Stedman Bailey, WR: 60 rec, 1,117 yards, 11 TD

Bruce Irvin, DE: 24 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 FF

South Florida Players to Watch:

Bj Daniels and Boby Eveld, QB: 2,713 combined pass yards, 18 total TD, 10 combined INT

Darrell Scott, RB: 722 yards, 6 total TD, 5.2 YPC

Sterling Griffin, WR: 40 rec, 493 yards, 2 TD

DeDe Lattimore, LB: 87 total tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF

Storylines:

The BCS mess continues into the final week for the Big East. What needs to happen for WVU? First thing is a win. The Mountaineers can't afford to look past this game. A win gives them a chance to go BCS bowling. A loss puts them in Charlotte. Yes, they have to rely on Cincinnati to win, but the Mountaineers need to bethinking about one thing only this week: South Florida.

Tampa hasn't been kind to WVU. The Mountaineers have only won once at USF since the Bulls joined the conference. That one time was WVU's first conference trip back in 2005. There have been some disappointing losses that mostly have to do with lots and lots and lots of mistakes. WVU has to play more fluid and confident if they want to roll out of Tampa with a win.

Will B.J. Daniels be back? That's the big question going into Thursday night. Daniels posses a major threat against WVU. He is a duel-threat that has had success against the 3-3-5 defense in the past. Bobby Eveld is capable of winning, but is certainly not the talent that Daniels is. Either way, WVU needs to keep the pressure on. Look for Jeff Casteel to dial up the four-man rush with a linebacker joining the front to go after whoever is in the game.

What will the crowd look like? I imagine it will look much better than what we saw Friday against Louisville. The stadium was practically empty. But, it was the day after Thanksgiving so many were home for the holidays. But, still...that was weak. It looked like a Temple home game. Thursday night, with the students back should be much better. Plus, WVU should have a solid base of fans as well. Thursday night is going to be fun.