NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, September 5, 7:30 p.m. ET, ROOT, FSN
Location: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia
Line: West Virginia (-18.5)
If you look solely at the two names of the universities, it would seem that the West Virginia Mountaineers would have scheduled a cupcake for its season opener. But as Lee Corso would say, “not so fast, my friend.”
The Georgia Southern Eagles went 9-3 last season during their inaugural season in the FBS’ Sun Belt Conference, and the team ranked 10th in the country with an average of 39.1 points per game. As opposed to Navy and Georgia Tech, who run the triple option from under center and use their offensive line to chop block the opposing defensive line, the Eagles run it out of the shotgun formation. The goal is to get the defensive players moving and then make the option read off of their movements.West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson says it’s an extremely tough scheme to defend.
“They want to open up gaps and get you running one way or the other so they don’t want to chop you and clog up a hole,” he told WVU Sports. “Most (option teams) are under center; it’s double-wing, tailback and they are running it that way. But with them every guy touches it – tailbacks, wide outs, slots … they are all some way tied into this option game. It makes it difficult making sure we’re accounting for all of those guys.”
Gibson also referred to the Eagles’ offense as his own personal “Nightmare on Elm Street.” “I told all of the guys (Monday), ‘Get rid of everything Georgia Southern after this game. I don’t ever want to see it again,’” he joked.
Georgia Southern led the nation in rushing yards per game with an average of 381.1, and the team was second to Georgia Tech in total rushing yards with 4,573. If the Eagles can create enough confusion on the Mountaineers’ defensive front, it’s possible that Georgia Southern could pose a threat with this type of ball control offense.
For the Mountaineers, it will be essential for the communication to be sound on defense. West Virginia returns 10 starters on defense and that cohesion and chemistry should come in handy against this type of offense. There has to be someone assigned to the quarterback, the dive and the option back on every single play. The Mountaineers can’t afford to blow assignments against the Eagles, or this could be a trap game for the team.
On offense, head coach Dana Holgorsen has turned the keys over to junior quarterback Skyler Howard. Howard started the last two games of the 2014 season and played another half of the Kansas State game after starter Clint Trickett left with a concussion. For the season, Howard completed 56 of his 110 attempts for 829 yards and eight touchdowns. The junior college transfer also added 140 yards rushing on 22 carries. It will be his accuracy that needs to improve the most in 2015.
The Mountaineers possess a stable of highly rated running backs, but each one has disappointed to this point. Rushel Shell was a five-star recruit when he signed on to play at Pittsburgh, after one season on campus, he transferred to West Virginia and rushed for 788 yards on 176 attempts in 2014 with seven touchdowns. His backfield mate, Wendell Smallwood, accumulated 722 yards on 148 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. Expect to see some carries for redshirt freshman Donte Thomas-Williams as well.
On the outside, the Mountaineers are forced to replace Kevin White and Mario Alford, who are both in the NFL. Redshirt sophomore Shelton Gibson is expected to be the No. 1 target for Howard, while junior Daikiel Shorts and true freshman Jovon Durante will also be starting in the Mountaineers’ three wide receiver set. Holgorsen typically doesn’t like to play true freshmen, which should show fans how he feels about Durante.
While I expect West Virginia to be able to come away with the victory on Saturday night, I don’t think there’s any way that the Mountaineers cover the 18.5-point spread. There are too many new parts on offense that will need time to gel, which could cause the team to come out playing a little sluggish. Eventually, talent will take over, and the Mountaineers will come out on top.
Prediction: West Virginia 34, Georgia Southern 21
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.
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