More Cowbell

This saturday I expect a lot of cowbell. No, I'm not talking about a rerun of Saturday Night Live, I'm talking about the clanging that is synonomous with Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi.

No doubt everyone knows that consensus ranked No. 4 WVU travels to the deep south and faces Southern Mississippi of the SEC in a midafternoon matchup this weekend. What everyone does not know is that the loyal Bulldog fans in Starkville greet visiting teams with a resounding clang. Apparantly, this rich tradition dates back to the late 1930's and 40's and despite numerous attempts to stop it, it lives on.

* * *

It's a road trip. It's going to be hot. It's going to be humid. It's going to be annoyingly loud. Unfortunately, it's only Mississippi State with a current record of only 1-4; therefore, it's not on television for the masses.

This can't be what Coach Rod had in mind when they scheduled this game. Logic would dictate that you go to the SEC for a 2 game series to beef up your schedule, not deflate it.

* * *

WVU is treading water in the polls. I strongly believe that a domination by WVU over State is needed to maintain our current rankings.

Ideally, three things will happen this Saturday in Starkville. Slaton gets back on track and leaves the strongest facet of the Bulldog team, its rush defense, in a daze by rushing for 200 yds. Additionally, Patrick White duplicates his ECU performance and airs it out minus the three interceptions. Finally, the young bend-but-don't-break defense comes of age, records a couple of sacks, and proves to the sports pundits that WVU does indeed have a defense to compliment its offense.

If we don't achieve these lofty goals this week, we may win and still drop in the poles.

The WVU lovefest may soon be over if we don't pony-up.