What a run for the WVU offense—from practically the worst to one of the best
With a turnaround in the running game that not even the head coach could have predicted, the Mountaineers have turned around their fortunes.
West Virginia ran for 1.42 yards per carry against an FCS team to start the 2019 season. A week later, against an SEC team, the Mountaineers were only able to muster 0.94 yards per attempt. In Neal Brown’s first season as head coach, WVU averaged less than one yard per rush on that first of two occasions. By the end of the season, Brown’s team was the worst in the Power
Without Akron, it would have been the worst in the nation. In terms of yards per game, yards per carry, and runs of ten yards or more, WVU placed 129th out of 130 FBS teams. Last were the Zips.
Was there a connection between WVU’s rout of Cincinnati and Scotty Fox’s subsequent commitment? To what extent does Ohio’s Cincy win aid in recruiting? (ce5588)
More on this will be covered in the Midweek VIP Recruiting BUZZ, but for Fox specifically, it didn’t really matter. It was more of a matter of time with him because, as he told me, he was already planning to commit to WVU. But the approach WVU used against their guests in this particular game? It was no coincidence that most of them were from Ohio, with a few guys from Kentucky, which is just across the border from Cincinnati.
We targeted three true freshmen in our first three plays on Saturday, according to Mike’s postgame pod. Could we anticipate any incoming freshmen making the same kind of contribution that those three have made? (Eer of CoalCity)
I’m sure it will be an interesting one. I believe that some of these edge rushers and linebackers—Obinna Onwuka, Makai Byerson, Rickey Williams, etc.—might be more physically prepared and that’s where WVU might really need the assistance. But as we’ve repeatedly seen, skill positions are usually where guys will contribute early in their careers. But I don’t see Khalil Wilkins, Diore Hubbard, Brandon Rehmann, or Keyshawn Robinson coming in 2024 and having an immediate impact.
Furthermore, Nate Gabriel is the one who, according to recruiting analysts, “has more people talking about him than they are talking about.” However, a defensive lineman probably won’t be in there right away.
The other day, in the scholarship tracker thread, I broke it down. Neal Brown stated that each season, between a quarter and a third of the roster change. Of course, graduation will account for part of that, but a large portion is transfer coursework. Let’s say that 15–18 people will be transferring. One player at nearly every position will likely transfer due to a lack of playing time, a few players lower on the depth chart will likely decide to hang up their boots and move on, and there will likely be three to five surprise transfers. That’s what it has been, and I anticipate it happening once more this year. Why wasn’t the NCAA informed if Frazier was offered a sizable NIL package by Bama even though he had never used the portal?
I’m sure it will be an interesting one. I believe that some of these edge rushers and linebackers—Obinna Onwuka, Makai Byerson, Rickey Williams, etc.—might be more physically prepared and that’s where WVU might really need the assistance. But as we’ve repeatedly seen, skill positions are usually where guys will contribute early in their careers. But I don’t see Khalil Wilkins, Diore Hubbard, Brandon Rehmann, or Keyshawn Robinson coming in 2024 and having an immediate impact.
Furthermore, Nate Gabriel is the one who, according to recruiting analysts, “has more people talking about him than they are talking about.” However, a defensive lineman probably won’t be in there right away.
To be honest, this is a difficult question. An extremely difficult query
The other day, in the scholarship tracker thread, I broke it down. Neal Brown stated that each season, between a quarter and a third of the roster change. Of course, graduation will account for part of that, but a large portion is transfer coursework. Let’s say that 15–18 people will be transferring. One player at nearly every position will likely transfer due to a lack of playing time, a few players lower on the depth chart will likely decide to hang up their boots and move on, and there will likely be three to five surprise transfers. That’s what it has been, and I anticipate it happening once more this year.
Why wasn’t the NCAA informed if Frazier was offered a sizable NIL package by Bama even though he had never used the portal? WV 123
Firstly, there’s a chance they were. Second, no university wants to repeatedly approach the NCAA to conduct additional investigation.
In 2024, what is the best/worst scenario for WVU’s football team? Do you believe that eight wins in the regular season will be sufficient to aid in off-season transfers and bring some players into the portal? Midblus
Everything is dependent on the outcome of the transfers. For ninety-five percent of college football, teams don’t get to project their rosters for the upcoming season until the transfer portal window closes. Since I don’t think the second window has as much of an impact, it becomes much clearer after the first one, so by January, we should be able to provide a fairly definitive response.
How the NCAA isn’t being sued over the transfer regulations is beyond me. Can a player transfer once and then not again until they graduate without having to sit out or enroll in graduate school? This is set up so that athletes can be recruited by elite universities, no one can leave until they graduate or take a year off, and no school can sign an athlete for more than one year. It appears that the schools gain from this rather than the athletes. Are any athletes suing the government over the new system, which is similar to the previous one and benefits the schools? Pieersquared
To follow up on an earlier question on this subject. Almost all NCAA athletes are free to transfer and play whenever they want. The exceptions are the two most lucrative sports. What’s the point there? Why is this the case? Is there an opportunity for athletes to go to court and challenge this? (saltydog8159)
It will happen eventually. The NCAA will gradually lose control of everything, and there will be more transfers. I believe it is something resembling literal contracts. Guys can’t keep changing teams every year.
So, according to Brown, he knows how to use a running QB and that you have to run them 9-10 times per game (Designed Runs), which is why Greene gets 9-10 designed runs per game.
Have we ever called ten designed QB runs in a single game this season? RPOs are not allowed. Brown mentioned Designed Runs, which are similar to QB Draws. (Faddy)
I’m not sure if I’m going to get as picky on the playcall sheet as “he reads if he runs after the snap” vs “he’s running no matter what” but I mentioned it on one of the radio shows I did last week – BYU was a blowout, Duquesne was a blowout, and he got hurt vs Pitt, but other than that, he’s running between 10 and 16 times per game. That is the standard, and it is likely to remain so.
Do you think Jimbo Fisher will hire an offensive coordinator at West Virginia?or will he initially handle his own play-calling duties? (crawdaddy26554)
Continue to try.
Coaches in 16 of the Top 25 have been with their program for less than 5 years. Thought? (Faddy)
I’m not surprised. I’d estimate that a similar percentage (60%) of college football coaches have been at their current school for less than five years. I also considered this when I linked to my article from last year comparing the success of Group of Five head coaches vs. coordinators vs. lower division, etc. at their new Power Five schools. The majority of those guys were no longer at their school.
Is it possible for CBS to include a back to topics button on the notifications screen? (sgtaylor24)
Please provide specifics. I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Is it safe to assume Milum will not pursue a professional career? If that’s the case, do you think we should go out and get a lineman? I’ve heard many of the national 247 guys say that oline is the most difficult to get into the portal, so I was curious what your thoughts were on it. (BNWVU72)
I haven’t heard anything about Milum or the NFL since the season began, so I don’t think it’s a cause for concern at this point.
Yes, the offensive line is always the most difficult position to play. Everyone desires a tackle. Everyone wants to improve their blocking up front, and to be honest, those are the spots that translate the best between schools. There are no doubts about whether the player you’re bringing in is as good as he was at the previous stop, as there might be for other positions.
Of course, it depends on the transfer situation, but it should still be there. Penn State will be difficult to beat, even at home. We still have to travel to Pitt in Week Three, but I don’t expect the Panthers to be significantly better. Will the second most difficult game of the season be at Arizona or at home against Kansas State? The schedule should be slightly more difficult than last year, but not overly so.
