Winning margin to start drinking the Kool-Aid?

[steeleer]

I know it's hard to gauge future success against what we have played, BUT what kind of win would we need against Mary-land to make you believe we can contend for the B12 title?

The last I checked the spread was 17.

So....for me a 30 pt win would make me a believer.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

27-10.

Howard throws for 265 yards on 17-26 and 2 TDs. He runs for another 45 yards.

 

[GoWVU]

You asked about the wrong opponent.

A road win of any margin at Oklahoma is what would answer your question.

 

[Falcon1981]

Being 6-1 after 7 games would be my benchmark.

 

[bobhertzel'ssweatpants]

I know it's hard to gauge future success against what we have played, BUT what kind of win would we need against Mary-land to make you believe we can contend for the B12 title?

The last I checked the spread was 17.

So....for me a 30 pt win would make me a believer.

Margin of victory regardless of opponent is way down the list of things for me in terms of evaluating a team. Especially in comparison to other point differences in other games i.e. Bowling Green by 3 TDs over MD. Every game is different. Every matchup is different. All I care about is winning on Saturday. The true measure will come when we face the best teams on our schedule, which is coming up soon. October is a gauntlet.

Having said that I am hoping that we can get our running game going this weekend. That is one area I am truly concerned about going into Big 12 play. If we can get somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.7 or 4.8 yards per carry, I would be happy with that and have more optimism going into conference play. Also, defensively we looked great against Georgia Southern & pretty average against Liberty. I'm looking to see if the defense regains some of that intensity they had in the Georgia Southern game on Saturday. If they play consistently like they did in the GSU game (angry & with a chip on their shoulder) then we might have a chance of competing at the top of the Big 12.

Whether we win by 1 pt. or 30 pts. on Saturday, the real test begins on Oct. 3. Then we'll see what this team is made of this season.

 

[steeleer]

Message boards are hysterical. In response to a straightforward question I get...
1 real answer (thanks Keaton)
2 answers that avoid the question completely
1 lecture on how I apparently asked a dumb question

Oh well. I'll try to improve my effort next time. Honest.

 

[mountainear]

If we control the LOS then thatll

 

[mountainear]

If we control the LOS then that will be a good indication of our future success! Umd has the 2nd biggest oline in the big 10, if our dline can hold their own we'll be fine! The running game must show up this week or we might be in some major trouble when it comes to conference play! Our skilled positions seem well equipped for the tasks at hand!

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

WVU really needs someone who can break facemasks and is unstoppable on short yardage in the red zone. We had that guy once, but he's gone.
We have a lot of good RBs who pick and choose their holes on the run, but no one who can just run over a tackler to get the tough, short yardage in the red zone. We need to solve that problem to be the complete team.

The passing game will be fine. The defense will be fine. The kicking game will be fine.
The offensive line can get better and make holes, but you still need someone who can bowl over defenders and get those tough yards in the red zone.

If we can find them, we'll go a long way.


M ighty defense throttled Georgia Southern, 44-0

O utstanding defense obliterated Liberty, 41-17

U nilaterally decimate Maryland

N euter Oklahoma

T rample Oklahoma State

A nnihilate Baylor

I ncinerate TCU

N ail Texas Tech

E rectile dysfunction Texas

E viscerate Kansas

R ip open a new one for Iowa State

S kewer Kansas State

 

[HurdyGurdyEer]

We could lose to MD and I would still believe we could compete for the title if we walk out of Norman with a win.

Unless this team implodes against the Terps the OU game is our real barometer game. Frankly ... I think the OU game has been the best measuring stick for this program the last few years.

 

[Chris from WV]

1. Players from the embarrassing loss two years ago are still on the team and Holgs has reminded everyone about it.
2. After Saturday, the rivalry goes on hiatus for a while - so this one is big.
3. WVU has had two weeks to prepare for the Terps, plus, it's a nationally televised game in Morgantown.

Prediction: The game will be a typical rivalry neck and neck for a while, but then WVU's talent pulls away . . . 41-17.

 

[torontoeers]

34-20...for the good guys...

 

[WiiWii]

I know it's hard to gauge future success against what we have played, BUT what kind of win would we need against Mary-land to make you believe we can contend for the B12 title?

The last I checked the spread was 17.

So....for me a 30 pt win would make me a believer.

I think this is the wrong question (no offense). Our problem has not been not being able to beat anyone on our schedule, our problem has not being able to sustain that level for an entire season. I like this team, but I will not be drinking koolaid until December.

 

[WiiWii]

WVU really needs someone who can break facemasks and is unstoppable on short yardage in the red zone. We had that guy once, but he's gone.
We have a lot of good RBs who pick and choose their holes on the run, but no one who can just run over a tackler to get the tough, short yardage in the red zone. We need to solve that problem to be the complete team.

The passing game will be fine. The defense will be fine. The kicking game will be fine.
The offensive line can get better and make holes, but you still need someone who can bowl over defenders and get those tough yards in the red zone.

If we can find them, we'll go a long way.

I often find myself disagreeing with you Cuyahoga, but this time you are right on the money. Just sayin...

 

[steeleer]

I think this is the wrong question (no offense). Our problem has not been not being able to beat anyone on our schedule, our problem has not being able to sustain that level for an entire season. I like this team, but I will not be drinking koolaid until December.

Good point. I do think those late season "swoons" was an indictment of
1) depth
2) character/team chemistry

I think both of those are better now than at any time since Dana has been here. That is why I'm taking this team at face value in Sept. If anything, barring injury, I think we will get better on offense as the chemistry between our young QB and our young WRs improves.

I will say this...if this team falters 3 years in a row, then it's time to look at a different coach. Championship programs, which is what we should aspire to be, get stronger as the year progresses.

 

[GoWVU]

I will say this...if this team falters 3 years in a row, then it's time to look at a different coach. Championship programs, which is what we should aspire to be, get stronger as the year progresses.

That already has happened 3 years in a row.

At this point, the burden of proof has shifted to the point where we ought to be expecting a 4th straight until this program starts proving otherwise.

 

[VaultHunter]

Wvu wins that's all that matters.

Our program has turned the corner. Get ready for a fun ride.

 

[WVUHomer]

I want to win every quarter. That's the sort of performance that will making me a believer heading into our first road game.

 

[Woody in Helvetia]

I know it's hard to gauge future success against what we have played, BUT what kind of win would we need against Mary-land to make you believe we can contend for the B12 title?

The last I checked the spread was 17.

So....for me a 30 pt win would make me a believer.

Beating Oklahoma on the road is what it would take to think it might be possible.

 

[HurdyGurdyEer]

Yes ... after we beat the Sooners and are 4-0 the Kool-Aid will flow like water.

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

Yes ... after we beat the Sooners and are 4-0 the Kool-Aid will flow like water.

Agree, I believe we will beat MD, but the OU game will tell the tale.

 

[bobhertzel'ssweatpants]

Agree, I believe we will beat MD, but the OU game will tell the tale.

That was my point. Just need to beat MD. Margin of victory really doesn't matter. Our measuring stick starts on Oct. 3.

 

[WarezEER]

All teams should get better as the year progresses. Not all teams get better at the same pace nor did they all start at the same base line. WV margin of victory (or loss) in the Maryland game doesn't mean a single thing. Every game is played on it's own merit. The games are intended to be entertaining and that's it. Holgs is doing his job and I will be tuned on this Saturday at 3PM.................win or lose. Entertainment at it's finest. Holgs having his typical 'bad hair' day, swigging on a 30 pack of Red Bull and eating pickles right out of the bucket................. as only TorontoEERs can supply them! That's WV football!

 

[steeleer]