My Fiver on WVU's victory over the team from Provo, Spain, on Saturday night....
1. Since the bye week, this offense has put up:
A) 2,038 total yards. 509.5 yards per game
B) 1,003 yards rushing. 250.75 yards per game. 186 carries @ 5.39 ypc.
C) 151 points - 37.75ppg.
D) only 2 sacks given up in four games
This offensive line hasn't had its full complement of parts in either of those four games, but they are absolutely road grading people. Opposing defenses are being kept honest enough with our passing game, as Garrett Greene has shown the ability to make throws when needed - and EJ Horton has added a speed element at WR to stretch defenses. This team is fun to watch.
2. Aubrey Burks. Burks's tackle, strip and recovery on the BYU WR during the 2nd quarter was a thing of absolute beauty. That is an all-conference caliber play. He's a difference maker and we're just better with him back there.
3. Youth Movement. Jahiem White is something special. 18 carries for 146 yards vs. BYU Saturday - 9.1 ypc. For the season, now at 50 carries for 416 yards, 2 TDs @ 8.3 ypc. You can tell that he is ready to break a big one. Traylon Ray looks like he is going to be a damn fine WR. Rodney Gallagher is adding an element to our offense that we've needed - a shifty wideout who can make you miss in a phone booth. He's now averaging 6.2 ypc on 13 carries, and hauled in a nice 14-yard catch Saturday. CJ Donaldson is just a sophomore, and we are seeing him return to form with 14 carries for 102 yards and 2 TDs. It's nice to know that Wyatt Milum and Tomas Rimac are going to be here for a couple more years as well. For the first time in Neal Brown's tenure, you can get a sense that we're building momentum, and building toward something.
4. DEFENSE. Bottom line is that this Offense is now enough. We have enough on the OL, we have a stud at TE, we have the skill and we have a bonafide pain in the ass at QB. We're going to put up yards and put up points. If this Defense can return to form, even without Trey Lathan, then 3-0 from here on out is possible. 9-3 is possible, and if we get a few breaks, an outside shot at the Big 12 Title game is possible. Oklahoma is good - they should be with their level of four and five star kids dotting their roster. But, we handled them last year. And last time we played in Norman, we damn near won vs. Lincoln Riley with Jarrett Doege behind center. This Defense is going to be tested Saturday. But, OU is fraying. Dillon Gabriel is trying to play Hero Ball and win each game by himself. It's amazing to me that OU doesn't rely more on the run. For some reason, Venebles has fallen in love with Gabriel's arm, and OU wants to win through the air. Our D-line needs to get a push, and our DBs are going to be put on an island. But, if this Defense can keep OU at 24 points or less....we will win in Norman for the first time since '82 and we will still be alive in the Big 12 race.
5. Big Picture. It's the 2nd week of November, and we still have a lot to play for. We have yet another prime time matchup Saturday on FOX. We have a hell of an opportunity to send OU packing. We are going bowling. And, we are fun to watch again. Garrett Greene is growing before our eyes and he's learning that he has enough talent surrounding him that he won't need to try to scramble for yards each play. He just needs to manage it. While we're quick to criticize Neal Brown, we also ought to give credit where credit is due. Despite being picked dead last in the conference, he still has WVU in the conference race late into the season. This offense has become downright dangerous, and he's calling the shots. Yes -- It is fair to say "Why in the world were we playing statues at QB the past few years when a mobile QB makes a TON of difference?" Fair. But, here we are and we get Garrett Greene for at least one more year. Our transfers on offense and defense - guys like Lee Kpogba, Kole Taylor, Devin Carter, Beanie Bishop, Michael Hayes, are making difference.
The calls to fire Brown have been heard. But, If we're in the midst of building something good, you don't shitcan the architect midstream. I was pretty much done after the OSU 4th quarter meltdown. However, I'm back in wait and see mode - really curious to see how these last three games play out. If we can save $13 million - use it for NIL (Jahiem White, transfer LB) - and continue to gain momentum in this program, recruiting, bowl game, etc., then I think keeping Brown at 8-4 or 9-3 is the way to go.
1. Since the bye week, this offense has put up:
A) 2,038 total yards. 509.5 yards per game
B) 1,003 yards rushing. 250.75 yards per game. 186 carries @ 5.39 ypc.
C) 151 points - 37.75ppg.
D) only 2 sacks given up in four games
This offensive line hasn't had its full complement of parts in either of those four games, but they are absolutely road grading people. Opposing defenses are being kept honest enough with our passing game, as Garrett Greene has shown the ability to make throws when needed - and EJ Horton has added a speed element at WR to stretch defenses. This team is fun to watch.
2. Aubrey Burks. Burks's tackle, strip and recovery on the BYU WR during the 2nd quarter was a thing of absolute beauty. That is an all-conference caliber play. He's a difference maker and we're just better with him back there.
3. Youth Movement. Jahiem White is something special. 18 carries for 146 yards vs. BYU Saturday - 9.1 ypc. For the season, now at 50 carries for 416 yards, 2 TDs @ 8.3 ypc. You can tell that he is ready to break a big one. Traylon Ray looks like he is going to be a damn fine WR. Rodney Gallagher is adding an element to our offense that we've needed - a shifty wideout who can make you miss in a phone booth. He's now averaging 6.2 ypc on 13 carries, and hauled in a nice 14-yard catch Saturday. CJ Donaldson is just a sophomore, and we are seeing him return to form with 14 carries for 102 yards and 2 TDs. It's nice to know that Wyatt Milum and Tomas Rimac are going to be here for a couple more years as well. For the first time in Neal Brown's tenure, you can get a sense that we're building momentum, and building toward something.
4. DEFENSE. Bottom line is that this Offense is now enough. We have enough on the OL, we have a stud at TE, we have the skill and we have a bonafide pain in the ass at QB. We're going to put up yards and put up points. If this Defense can return to form, even without Trey Lathan, then 3-0 from here on out is possible. 9-3 is possible, and if we get a few breaks, an outside shot at the Big 12 Title game is possible. Oklahoma is good - they should be with their level of four and five star kids dotting their roster. But, we handled them last year. And last time we played in Norman, we damn near won vs. Lincoln Riley with Jarrett Doege behind center. This Defense is going to be tested Saturday. But, OU is fraying. Dillon Gabriel is trying to play Hero Ball and win each game by himself. It's amazing to me that OU doesn't rely more on the run. For some reason, Venebles has fallen in love with Gabriel's arm, and OU wants to win through the air. Our D-line needs to get a push, and our DBs are going to be put on an island. But, if this Defense can keep OU at 24 points or less....we will win in Norman for the first time since '82 and we will still be alive in the Big 12 race.
5. Big Picture. It's the 2nd week of November, and we still have a lot to play for. We have yet another prime time matchup Saturday on FOX. We have a hell of an opportunity to send OU packing. We are going bowling. And, we are fun to watch again. Garrett Greene is growing before our eyes and he's learning that he has enough talent surrounding him that he won't need to try to scramble for yards each play. He just needs to manage it. While we're quick to criticize Neal Brown, we also ought to give credit where credit is due. Despite being picked dead last in the conference, he still has WVU in the conference race late into the season. This offense has become downright dangerous, and he's calling the shots. Yes -- It is fair to say "Why in the world were we playing statues at QB the past few years when a mobile QB makes a TON of difference?" Fair. But, here we are and we get Garrett Greene for at least one more year. Our transfers on offense and defense - guys like Lee Kpogba, Kole Taylor, Devin Carter, Beanie Bishop, Michael Hayes, are making difference.
The calls to fire Brown have been heard. But, If we're in the midst of building something good, you don't shitcan the architect midstream. I was pretty much done after the OSU 4th quarter meltdown. However, I'm back in wait and see mode - really curious to see how these last three games play out. If we can save $13 million - use it for NIL (Jahiem White, transfer LB) - and continue to gain momentum in this program, recruiting, bowl game, etc., then I think keeping Brown at 8-4 or 9-3 is the way to go.
