A lot of weaknesses for our Big 12 slate to exploit and if WVU hopes to improve its conference record relative to last year, gotta tighten up those red zone misfires, coverage holes, and missed throws.
Have a lot of work to do ...
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I was encouraged the coaching staff made effective adjustments at halftime.
I was pleased we were able to make FG's whereas Missouri couldn't make the short kick when it counted. How much do we have to win by to satisfy your peculiar view of the world?
You're missing the point. At some point, we're going to be in a game where that trade off is going to cost us a game. We need to make it a habit of punching it in when we're inside the 10
I think the defense was helped by Mizzou misfires which is less likely to happen against the Big XII offenses. Also getting stuffed in the red zone 4 out 5 times isn't great. If you think WVU doesn't need to improve in order to meet or surpass on last year's record, we'll just have to disagree.
As long as they win is all that matters. Seems people forgot Missouri has a defense in top 10.
You are right ... what does it matter as long as they win. Winning doesn't just happen however, and with at least 5 games on the schedule harder than this one, I'd say WVU needs to improve. Ignoring the offensive inefficiency in the red zone or that Mizzou misfires on offense almost as often as WVU stopped them could bite us in a few games. The offense has to be better, because that young D will give up points against decent offenses down the road.
There are defiantly some areas where improvement is needed but that is the case of almost every team we play. The performance we had against Missouri was one of the better efforts the big 12 saw this weekend.
That is true. Especially feeding the rock to Wellman and using that O line effectively. Hopefully the mid range passing sharpens up a bit so teams can't sell out on the run
The passing game defiantly has to improve but most of the defenses we will play against are going to be far weaker than we saw yesterday. That was the most yards a Missouri defense has given up since 2014.
You're right and you're wrong. Dana agrees with you, too, and so do I. You aren't going to beat BYU and Big 12 teams by kicking 4 field goals in a game. But WVU got 492 yards against a perennial national leader on defense, so THAT counts for a lot.
The Mountaineers need a bruiser who can punch it in. You can't rely on the small Skyler to do it. We need the guy who busted facemasks nearly every game, or somebody with that mentality. Crawford is good from 20 yards out, but not as effective 3 yards from the goal line.
I'm sure Dana and his coaches will be working on that against Youngstown to get ready for BYU and the Big 12 schedule.
And Tony Gibson has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the defense so quickly after the 2015 exodus to the NFL on that side of the ball. The man is a genius. And his halftime adjustments made the deep secondary look even better, mainly by looking for the ball more instead of just trying to run step by step with the receiver. Once that ball goes into the air, it belongs to anyone who can get his hands on it.
These things will come in time. Barring injury, the pieces are here to have a good season. But a football season is like a child's building blocks. You stack them up one at a time, carefully, so they don't come tumbling down when the blocks get too high up.
I'm encouraged, and I certainly have expressed my unhappiness with Dana's 4-5 Big 12 average for his 4 seasons as head coach in that conference. We're not ready for the national playoffs yet, but -- considering that one-third the top 25 either lost (Oklahoma, LSU), got the beejeebus scared out of them (Tennessee) or looked unimpressive (too many to list) -- WVU did OK for a season opener, which is always full of glitches.
Stay calm and hopeful.
M anhandled Missouri, 26-11
O bliterate Youngstown
U nnerve BYU
N euter Kansas State
T rample Texas Tech
A nnihilate TCU
I mpale Oklahoma State
N ail Kansas
E radicate Texas
E rectile dysfunction Oklahoma
R oll over Iowa State
S uffocate Baylor
I hate putting it all on one player. Howard was responsible for leaving a lot of points on the field though. He had some great moments as well, perhaps a glass ceiling that I need to just accept.
We played great in a lot of areas.
Our O line was very impressive and especailly considering Pankey was suspended and Cajuste went down with injury.
Our RB's were able to run very effectively against what might be the best front 6/7 they see all year.
Our D line was great against the run and our linebackers played much better than I expected them too.
Our corner backs were not bad.
Kyzir White is a BEAST!
Harper played ok and Tyler seemed to be all over the place.
How bout that Mike Molina and Bill Kinny? WV boys representing with great punting and kicking.
Justin Arndt's hit knocking the QB out of his shoe will be replayed over and over again when we are all dead and gone. I hope they put that on a loop in the offices and play it all year long.
Now, for the concerned areas.
WR's have got to block better, especially Durantes skinny ass. Shelton Gibson better quit talking so much shit or he is going to draw a penalty for sure.
Skyler Howard has got to have a better quarter back rating than 66.1 moving forward. He also has to do a better job on his audibles.
I do like that he seemed to figure out that Shorts is by far his most sure handed WR and will be his go to guy for a first down.
BTW, Holgorson specifically used the words "We've got a lot of work to do." He also mentioned that settling for FGs on 4 trips inside the opponents 10 is a bit of a problem and will likely hurt WVU in future games. Not a "geneous" thread, but not pointless.
Im glad that he said that. We definitely have to be more efficient in the red zone its plagued us for years but the play of the offensive line was the best I have seen it in years. I think we have a chance to pound the football near the goal line going forward especially against some of the undersized weak defenses we see in the big 12.
Exactly....just not with an undersized QB that our team can't afford to lose.
With Shell, Wellman, and our Offensive line WVU should be able to punch it in on short yardage
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