If memory serves, Athlon pegged WVU for 4-8 before the 2014 football season.
I took a quick read of the preseason mag over the weekend, and Athlon's has WVU:
- 8-4, 5-4 in the Big 12
- facing Notre Dame in the Russell Athletic Bowl
- No. 36 overall in the country, with Oklahoma State at No. 28, Texas at No. 33, VT at No. 35, and South Carolina at No. 37.
- No. 1 defensive back unit in the Big XII
- Karl Joseph tabbed 1st team All Big XII at safety.
- Nick Kwiatkowski tabbed 1st team All Big XII at LB.
- Josh Lambert tabbed 1st team All Big XII at PK & Nick O'Toole tabbed 1st team All Big XII as Punter. (which is interesting considering that WVU finished dead last in the Big XII 2014 net field position stats according to Athlon's...but I digress)
Overall, I think the record of 8-4 rests upon going 3-0 in the non-conference slate. If we do that, take care of business vs. KU and ISU, then getting to 8-4 or better, while not a given, is probable.
I did find it interesting that Athlon's pegged WVU's DL as either the 2nd or 3rd worst in the Big XII. While we won't remind anyone of the late 70s Pittsburgh Steelers, we return a wealth of experience at DL with Rose, Nwachuwuku, Brown, Howard and Kinsey. Larry Jefferson can't be factored in as a "plus" just yet because he has yet to play a down, but...he could be the wild card we need there.
With that said, the DL (and LBs) better be ready right out of the gates vs. Georgia Southern, because the outcome of the game will rest upon their ability to get them off the field.
This is one of those seasons where, as it stands...it's a complete toss up which way things could go. And sometimes, those seasons (1993, 2005) turn out pretty damn good.
I took a quick read of the preseason mag over the weekend, and Athlon's has WVU:
- 8-4, 5-4 in the Big 12
- facing Notre Dame in the Russell Athletic Bowl
- No. 36 overall in the country, with Oklahoma State at No. 28, Texas at No. 33, VT at No. 35, and South Carolina at No. 37.
- No. 1 defensive back unit in the Big XII
- Karl Joseph tabbed 1st team All Big XII at safety.
- Nick Kwiatkowski tabbed 1st team All Big XII at LB.
- Josh Lambert tabbed 1st team All Big XII at PK & Nick O'Toole tabbed 1st team All Big XII as Punter. (which is interesting considering that WVU finished dead last in the Big XII 2014 net field position stats according to Athlon's...but I digress)
Overall, I think the record of 8-4 rests upon going 3-0 in the non-conference slate. If we do that, take care of business vs. KU and ISU, then getting to 8-4 or better, while not a given, is probable.
I did find it interesting that Athlon's pegged WVU's DL as either the 2nd or 3rd worst in the Big XII. While we won't remind anyone of the late 70s Pittsburgh Steelers, we return a wealth of experience at DL with Rose, Nwachuwuku, Brown, Howard and Kinsey. Larry Jefferson can't be factored in as a "plus" just yet because he has yet to play a down, but...he could be the wild card we need there.
With that said, the DL (and LBs) better be ready right out of the gates vs. Georgia Southern, because the outcome of the game will rest upon their ability to get them off the field.
This is one of those seasons where, as it stands...it's a complete toss up which way things could go. And sometimes, those seasons (1993, 2005) turn out pretty damn good.
