WVU plays in a bowl game next week

[Buckaineer]

Theres still WVU football this season.

WVU needs to go out to AZ in a home game for ASU and bring back a win.

let's Gooooooooooo Mountaineers!!!!

 

[Buckaineer]

Will be interesting to see how the running game fares against the Sun Devils D

- ASU has had a top twenty run D this year.

WVUs D is going to have to do better in the passing game than they did in that October stretch. ASU has a good QB and receiving corps and often in bowls it seems that defenses start slow or don't show up.

 

[dolemitebmf]

Will be interesting to see how the running game fares against the Sun Devils D

- ASU has had a top twenty run D this year.

WVUs D is going to have to do better in the passing game than they did in that October stretch. ASU has a good QB and receiving corps and often in bowls it seems that defenses start slow or don't show up.

Seeing the points ASU gave up, I never would have guessed that they had a Top 20 run defense. I was hoping to run the ball down their throats... I guess I can still hope...

 

[LowFatMilk]

The end should be interesting... ...watch the game or an early morning infomercial ?

The bowl was designed/slotted to NOT have an east coast team.

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....but yea, winning the game is important for the program (short term).

 

[Buckaineer]

Any Mountaineer fan will be watching the game and rooting for WVU. This game is important not just for this season but for the long range goals and status of the program. There are conference implications as well.

Here's a nice write up from the Charleston Gazette. It won't be the easy game some expect based solely on records--ASU is # 19 in rush defense. Their pass defense isn't good though, so Howard has got to find a way to be more productive there probably.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20151224/mitch-vingle-cactus-bowl-matchups

 

[43rd Parallel]

This may be wishful thinking, but I see the Mountaineers' senior-heavy defense dominating this game.

Arizona State has a top 25 offense, but that sort of test is nothing new for West Virginia. The Mountaineers have played the nation's three top offenses.

Statistically, the WVU defense (55th nationally) looks stronger than the ASU defense (102nd). The Sun Devils allow an average of 446 yards per game, which is similar to Texas or Iowa State.

 

[michaelwalkerbr]

ASU commits to stopping the run so much they are next to last in pass defense. That invites Howard to throw it all over the lot, but that is not his strength. He will have to stick with the throws that he is better at and make them quickly with ASU constantly blitzing.

There is also the possibility that ASU cannot stop the Mountaineers running attack anyway. That would be the ideal option as WVU demonstrated for most of November.

 

[TexasforevEER]

Skyler Howard can and will hit the open receivers that are there for him as ASU commits to stopping the vaulted WVU running game. Skylar will win the game MVP award. I will be watching the game on my big screen HDTV and will have the PIP going as I enjoy the game and my Chinese take out.

 

[TejasDevil]

Will be interesting to see how the running game fares against the Sun Devils D

- ASU has had a top twenty run D this year.

WVUs D is going to have to do better in the passing game than they did in that October stretch. ASU has a good QB and receiving corps and often in bowls it seems that defenses start slow or don't show up.

Agree, will be interesting to see your Smallwood go against our Smallwood.

 

[TejasDevil]

Seeing the points ASU gave up, I never would have guessed that they had a Top 20 run defense. I was hoping to run the ball down their throats... I guess I can still hope...

Yeah, for the Devils it's been "live by the blitz, die by the blitz" this year. You'll probably have more success against us with screens, quick slants, quick throws over the middle, etc.

 

[TejasDevil]

Any Mountaineer fan will be watching the game and rooting for WVU. This game is important not just for this season but for the long range goals and status of the program. There are conference implications as well.

Here's a nice write up from the Charleston Gazette. It won't be the easy game some expect based solely on records--ASU is # 19 in rush defense. Their pass defense isn't good though, so Howard has got to find a way to be more productive there probably.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20151224/mitch-vingle-cactus-bowl-matchups

Our poor pass defense stats are mainly due to never-ending blitzing which leaves the corners on an island. So either we get you with the blitz (ASU ranks fairly high on TFL's) or you get a big gain on the play.

 

[dolemitebmf]

Yeah, for the Devils it's been "live by the blitz, die by the blitz" this year. You'll probably have more success against us with screens, quick slants, quick throws over the middle, etc.

I don't trust our qb to throw a slant or a quick throw over the middle...

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

Let's look at the record.
Arizona State has a 6-6 record. Hang the stats! The Sun Devils lost as often as they won.
I give them credit for beating UCLA, but not for beating Cal Poly and New Mexico.
WVU's defense will not be up against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU or Baylor. Not even close.
I know Arizona State beat Arizona and Casteel's 3-3-5, but Gibson's 3-3-5 is MUCH better version.
Beat the Devil out of the Sun Devils, and let me stay awake till 2:30 a.m. to witness it!!!!

 

[VaultHunter]

10:30 start time is nothing I'm just getting warmed up by then. Mountaineers win and I will be awake till 5 or 6 am celebrating