The West Virginia Mountaineers (2-0) get set to take on Maryland Terrapins (1-0) this Saturday in College Park, Maryland. After two games this season, there are still many questions about this Mountaineers team. In the first game against Marshall, the team looked like it was in control and very dominant. However, against Norfolk State last week, the Mountaineers trailed 12-10 going into the half before scoring 46 unanswered points in the second half. With all due respect to Marshall and Norfolk State, the first real tough competition will be this Saturday against the Terrapins.
“While watching the film from Saturday’s game, it still has everything to do with blocking and tackling. It’s the fundamental things we want to get better at. Offensively, we were targeting better, but we need to finish better. All three sides of the ball are a work in progress,” coach Dana Holgorsen said on his weekly conference call.
With Maryland this week and LSU waiting in the wings, Mountaineer fans are hoping that the team starts grasping the offense pretty quickly. Holgorsen’s offensive system that he made famous at Oklahoma State and Houston relies on speed and tempo, something the players seem like they are having a hard time picking up on.
“Our offense isn’t something that you can just learn on paper, it’s something you have to fully understand. It’s a work in progess and we may not even get it this year,” Holgorsen admitted.
“We are trying as a team and our effort is good, we just aren’t there yet. Some teams gel quicker than others,” Holgorsen added.
As a defensive unit, the Mountaineers have yet to let up a touchdown to the opposition this year, something they hope can continue this weekend. In Maryland’s season opener against Miami, the Terrapins put up 32 points, including 348 yards passing from quarterback Danny O’Brien. While the not letting up any touchdowns won’t continue forever, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the players or coaches.
“Not giving up any touchdowns does a lot for our confidence, but we still need to get better. Any points allowed are too many points,” sophomore Darwin Cook said after Saturday’s game.
The game will come down to how well quarterback Geno Smith handles the Maryland defense and how quickly he can get his team up to the line. Maryland runs a true 4-down quarter scheme that mixes in a lot of coverage, but doesn’t take many chances. Smith has established himself as one of the top players at his position in the nation and proved that he can win the big game when called upon. Maryland gave up 172 yards rushing against Miami, so if there was a game to get the rushing attack established, this would be it. Unless Holgorsen has decided on a primary back, look for the continual cycle of Vernard Roberts, Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison to get involved to keep the defense honest.
With a win this week, the Mountaineers will have the momentum needed to face #3 LSU the following Saturday at Morgantown. Look for the Mountaineers to overcome the testy defense and win this one, 35-24.
Photo Credits: Charles LeClaire
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