Thursday, July 28, 2011

College Football Preview: Best of the Rest: West Virginia Mountaineers



34. West Virginia Mountaineers
QB Geno Smith- Junior
WR Tavon Austin- Junior
WR J.D. Woods- Junior
OT Don Barclay- Senior
DE Bruce Irvin- Senior
CB Keith Tandy- Senior
The Mountaineers are back and ready to run with junior Geno Smith. Smith had an underrated year racking up a good amount of yards for West Virginia. He can pass well and has good speed for scrambling abilities. The team will once again rely heavily on Smith in big games. The backfield has always been talented but will be without electric Noel Devine leading the way. Tailback Shawne Alston will have to replace him but if he struggles than sophomore Trey Johnson will get carries. Junior fullback Ryan Clarke is become like a second Owen Schmitt for the Mountaineers. The receiving core is loaded with juniors J.D. Woods and Tavon Austin. They both have good speed and fantastic hands. Smith will immediately be looking for them. His other options include sophomore Stedman Bailey and Brad Starks. The offensive line is solid with tackle Don Barclay, guard Josh Jenkins and center Joe Madsen. The defensive line is headed by seniors Bruce Irvin and Julian Miller. They don't have any players in the middle as they are hoping Josh Taylor and Jorge Wright will stuff up holes. The linebacker core has lost their best talent with J.T. Thomas who dominated on the outside. Najee Goode is pretty good but he doesn't really have a mind for the game. The secondary is strong even without safety Robert Sands but still returns senior Keith Tandy. Tandy always takes on the top receiver and shuts them down. Terrence Garvin returns and Pat Miller does good. The special teams is led by kicker Tyler Bitancurt who enters his third season with West Virginia.

Heisman Hopeful: Geno Smith
Big East Rank: 2nd

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