WVU and Syracuse Lead the Conference...in Awesomeness

A big congratulations to West Virginia and Syracuse for cracking the Princeton Review's Top-20 Party School list. WVU is a perennial contender for the top spot, but actually fell out of the Top-5, into 6th. Morgantown has a tremendous reputation, which includes couch burning, bottle-tossing, and general riff-raff...activities that this writer never took part in during his five years on campus.

Syracuse came in at number 12. An underrated party school, the Cuse should probably be higher, mainly because there is nothing else to do in upstate New York. Seriously, what the hell do you do in Cuse, try not to get mugged? All joking aside, Syracuse is a good spot, and also the home of where this author got engaged to his Syracuse-alum wife...in a bar of course.

As for the rest of the conference...what the hell? Only two schools in the Top-2o Party School list? How lame can the Big East be? This is more important than the BCS. At least none of you squares made it on to the Stone Cold Sober list with BYU.

Side Note: It's nice to see that the three schools I applied to back in the day all made the list.

Here's a look at the full list.

Top 20 Party Schools aka Fun Schools:

1. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
2. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
4. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
5. University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Va.
7. Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
8. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
9. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
10. University of Texas, Austin, Texas
11. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
12. Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
13. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.
14. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.
15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
16. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
17. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
18. University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
19. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
20. University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

-courtesy of big lead sports

WVU is the Big East Favorite

So much for easing into the job. It will be a trial by fire for Dana Holgorsen after WVU was piked to win the conference. Honestly, it would be a trial by fire even if WVU wasn't. There's always pressure in Morgantown to win, especially with the way things went down for Holgorsen to be in the position he is in at this time. The drama-filled offseason ends with the start of camp this month, and there's no doubt the first-year head coach is looking to put the Summer behind him.

The enthusiasm surrounding this Mountaineer team is very high. The offense will be led by one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, Geno Smith. The junior is also a darkhorse pick for the Heisman. The defense is anchored by a strong line, but will have some questions in the linebacking unit. However, the trust in Defensive Coordinator, Jeff Casteel gives Mountaineer fans faith that it won't be an issue.

The schedule is interesting. LSU and Pittsburgh are at home, but road games at Maryland, Syracuse, and South Florida will make things difficult for WVU to run the table. This is a team that has been 9-4 for three straight years. That number should increase this season if the Holgorsen offense catches on quickly. However, there is no lock of winning the league, especially having to play in Tampa, possibly for the BCS bid. WVU doesn't exactly have the best track record at South Florida.

Regardless of the media prediction, WVU is a perennial favorite in the conference. Consistent play has given the school that reputation. However, the Mountaineers haven't been to a BCS game since 2008, and the natives are getting restless. Will this be the season? Or are there just too many questions surrounding the new head coach and system? One things for sure...WVU will beat Marshall.

2011 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL (first place votes in parentheses)

1. West Virginia 188(21)

2. Pittsburgh 162(2)

3. USF 151(1)

4. Syracuse 98

5. Cincinnati 96

6. Connecticut 76

7. Louisville 60

8. Rutgers 33

-courtesy of bigeast.org

YouTube Time: Geno Has Arrived

There's no doubt Geno Smith is a very good collegiate quarterback. He may even become a great pro quarterback. But, before the start of the 2010 season there was much speculation surrounding his play. All that speculation went out there door on September 10th.

Marshall was just eight minutes from their first ever win over WVU. Leading 21-6, the Herd were just about to ice it, when they fumbled in the red zone. That fumble led to one hell of a comeback. Geno Smith put together two of the finest fourth quarter drives in recent memory...one from 96-yards, the other from 98. Two touchdowns, an extra point, and a 2-point conversion later, we were headed to OT. WVU would eventually win in the extra frame, and a star was born.



This video shows how solid Smith is at the position. He has very good vision, a solid arm, and moves in the pocket well. Geno was getting absolutely blasted in that game, but kept making the throws. It will be scary to see him in the new Dana Holgorsen offense.

Quick note: Watch Noel Devine's vision on his touchdown run. It's quite a move to get in from where he was, and who was in front of him.

Jock Sanders to Join the Bucs

Word from Geoff Coyle is that Jock Sanders is off to Tampa to join the Buccaneers. The former Mountaineer superback will most likely be battling for the return specialist job.

Sanders could be more limited in the NFL due to his size, especially at the position he plays. At just 5'6", Sanders isn't the prototypical receiver size, but the dude has talent. He could be a dynamic return man, and may find himself in the backfield. If given the chance in Tampa, Sanders could prove his value.

Tampa could use some help on kickoff returns, and A LOT of help on punt returns. The Bucs were 30th in punt return average (6.4 yards) in the league. It's also a team that will be looking for receivers. It will be interesting to see if Sanders gets that chance to prove he can play the slot in this league.

Anthony Leonard to the Patriots

It looks like Anthony Leonard will be taking his talents to the greatest team on the face of the Earth, the New England Patriots (no bias here). The former Mountaineer linebacker will be thrown into the fire of a very crowded unit in Foxboro.

Leonard had a solid final year in Morgantown, finishing with 70 total tackles, eight for loss. He has good size for the inside, but quickness eludes him. Leonard's best chance to shine is on kick coverage, with an outside shot of being a primary backup. However, this is the New England Patriots. This is the team that takes the "Never Will Be's" and turns them into respectable players. So, anything is possible.

Best of luck to Leonard, and being a Mountaineer Alum and and Pat's fan, I sincerely hope he makes this squad.

Buffalo Bills to Sign Sidney Glover

According to buffalosbillsdraft.com, Sidney Glover is heading to Buffalo. This is a good spot for the former Mountaineer safety. The Bills have some free agency issues at the safety position, and could always use help on special teams.

Glover was a productive safety during his time in Morgantown. He has good size and hands. He's not the fastest guy on the field, so he will have to make up for it with improved acceleration. Glover showed he could help against the run, and ended up with four sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2010. His technique needs work, but could easily step right in on kick coverage.

Don't expect Glover to be starting in 2011 for Buffalo, but he does have a very good chance to make this roster. Plus, the Bills have had some good success with former Mountaineers in the past.

Noel Devine to Sign with Atlanta, errrr Philly

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Noel Devine will sign with the Atlanta Falcons at 10AM today. The former Mountaineer rusher joins a busy backfield, including Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. However, it may look different in a few days with both Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling listed as free agents.

Devine was extremely productive during his time in Morgantown, and was a no doubt draft pick before injuries slowed him down. He tested well heading up to the draft, including a low of 4.36 in the 40. Ultimately, his questionable durability and small stature (5'8", 179lb) outweighed his ability, and wasn't drafted.

This is the ultimate "just give him a chance" situation. Devine will make it in this league, he just needs the chance...I'm just not so sure this is his best opportunity. It would be hard to believe that Atlanta is looking to keep Devine along with Rodgers. The players are similar in stature and style. And, you'd have to believe Rodgers already has a leg up in the competition considering he was a 5th round pick. It should be a fun battle, whatever the case may be.

Even if Devine's future isn't in the Dirty Dirty, it's a step in the door...a chance for him to prove he belongs. Expect the speedster to take full advantage of it.

UPDATE: According to HailWV.com and others, Devine has not signed with the Falcons just yet, and is listening to other offers. We will try to keep you posted.

UPDATE, UPDATE: Devine has inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not sure it's much better of a situation than the one in Atlanta. That is a jumbled backfield, so Devine will have to work to make this team.