This week is the Big East opener against the Orange of Syracuse. It has been a roller coaster of a year for the 'Cuse. They started out at the bottom, losing a record number of games in a row. (one of which was a nailbiter in overtime against a highly ranked Iowa) Just like the Big East, lately, the Orange have proven that they are much better than folks originally thought. No doubt, they are coming to Morgantown with absolutely nothing to lose. That makes them very very dangerous.
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Why are they dangerous? Because there is one thing Syracuse has been doing very well, getting to the QB. Their defense is referred to as the "Sack Attack" or something along those lines. They currently lead the nation in sacks. So Patrick White is going to have to bring his A-game and live up to the ESPN dubbed nickname "the Escape Artist."
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Speaking of sacks. They aren't just for putting groceries in anymore. WVU's defense recorded it's first of the season in Starkville last Saturday.
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So I'm setting at my office at a little after quitting time this evening and I hear that familiar "ding." It's my instant message program of choice letting me know that someone wants to chat it up. Literally.
SJB:
MT.ESQ.:
didn't you read my post at beatpitt.com?
Apparently, not. Bottom line, lot's of WVU fans are shaking their heads trying to figure out what happened. Afterall, visions of #2 and #3 rankings were dancing through our heads when the Razorbacks took Auburn to task in a SEC game that will be remembered until next week's SEC game to remember.
But seriously, it's time we reevaluate where we are and where we are headed...
We are WVU. The West Virginia Mountaineers. The perrenial "high expecation, lower than expected results" team from the (in some people's mind the "not so") Big East. We are currently ranked #4/#5 in the polls. (for those living in a cave, we were consensus #4 last week) What have we done to deserve this drop? The better question, what have we done to deserve the current ranking?
We beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (last year). We beat Marshall, Eastern Washington, Maryland, East Carolina, and Mississippi State. All and all, that's not a very impressive resume. Fortunately, we did win the Sugar Bowl. I firmly believe that if not for that victory, we would be lucky to be in the top 10. Think I'm wrong? Just wait and see what happens if (heaven forbid) we lose a game. There are a lot of very good "one loss" teams rounding out the top 10. A loss will seal our fate, we will drop so far, so fast that the state of WV will have whiplash.
In my humble opinion, we have peaked in the polls. Our "goodwill" or "capital" that we earned last season and/or in the preseason have taken the Mountaineers as high as it can. In order to achieve that #2 or #3, we must remain undefeated and we must look good doing it.
As for Michigan, its simple math... they've won 6 games and we've only won 5.
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Chew on this: Louisville may be ranked higher than WVU when they face off on November 2 in Papa John's Stadium.
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I have heard some rumblings that WVU may have to face off against two undefeated teams before claiming its 4th Big East title. Rutgers over Louiville on November 9?
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