Kansas and West Virginia have met several times in recent years, authoring some classic Big 12 games, but this year’s edition of the Mountaineers is virtually unrecognizable.
WVU has a new coach in Rich Rodriguez (really, an old coach, given that he led the program for seven seasons in the 2000s) and a dramatically different staff and roster under his guidance.
There are plenty of familiar faces on either side, but still a lot left to learn about the Mountaineers, particularly as they are still working to incorporate several new players who only recently became eligible.
To provide an up-close perspective on the program, Spencer Ripchik, the WVU beat writer for The Dominion Post — the Journal-World’s sister paper in Morgantown, West Virginia — offered some thoughts on how the Mountaineers look in several key areas ahead of Saturday night’s matchup at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Ripchik’s scouting report is below, and the Journal-World’s analogous report on the Jayhawks will be reciprocally available at dominionpost.com.
Strengths and weaknesses
West Virginia’s biggest strength is its defensive coordinator Zac Alley. He’s a young, talented play caller who worked alongside Brent Venables last year at Oklahoma. Alley’s defense allows the occasional busted coverage, but when WVU’s defense has its back against the wall, it locks in, whether that’s through turnovers or disrupting the quarterback.
Alley wanted to increase the sack production for WVU, and he’s done that very quickly, even without top pass rusher Jimmori Robinson, who still hasn’t played a snap after issues with the NCAA. WVU is second in the nation with 13 sacks.
Offensive inconsistency is the biggest weakness, especially in throwing the ball. WVU is 2-1, but in all three games, the passing attack was shaky. WVU would open the game with an effective drive, scoring a touchdown, then go three-and-out on the next five drives. It hasn’t put a complete game together. It’s ironic because head coach Rich Rodriguez’s biggest strength is his offense, but the players haven’t quite gotten a handle on it.
Takeaways from last game
West Virginia found out who its guys will be. After two weeks, Rodriguez still didn’t know who his starting quarterback was. Nicco Marchiol looked great in Week 1, then didn’t play well against Ohio. Then, against Pitt, Rodriguez benched Marchiol after he started, and then he came back in and won the game for WVU. It sounds like Marchiol is QB1 going forward after the comeback, and that the only success the offense has had was with him.
WVU also found its Jahiem White replacement. White was WVU’s bell-cow back and led the Mountaineers in rushing, but he’s out for the season with an injury, so there was a question of who would step up in his place. Northern Iowa transfer Tye Edwards solidified himself as the replacement. He’s a big 6-foot-2, 226-pound back who takes a couple of guys to bring down. He rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
After a loss to Ohio, a team WVU should’ve beaten, everyone was curious about how this team would respond. It’s a team of 80-plus transfers, and most didn’t know each other, so how would they band together and bounce back? They couldn’t have bounced back any better, coming back and beating rival Pitt in overtime. This WVU team might not win the Big 12 this year, but it won’t be a team that just rolls over. Rodriguez’s squad has some real fight.
Players to watch
Cam Vaughn is WVU’s No. 1 receiver, and he has the moxie of one. He had over 100 yards against Robert Morris in the season opener. Vaughn was held in check the past two games, but against Pitt, he drew a couple of pass interference penalties because of how difficult he is to guard.
Edwards is WVU’s lead back after the Pitt game. Clay Ash will play some snaps, but Edwards is the workhorse. Rodriguez likes to run the ball a lot, even with the quarterbacks, but now with a solidified No. 1 back, Edwards should see even more carries. He’s a big guy and will take a couple of bodies to bring down.
WVU’s defensive line has all been impressive this season, and is second in sacks in the FBS. Hammond Russell is one of the leaders of the defense and is tied on the team for the most sacks with three. He’s a nice guy on the outside, but a force for the interior defensive line.
UTSA transfer pass rusher Robinson is also eligible now and expected to make his debut. Robinson had 10.5 sacks last year, which was in the top 10 in the FBS last year. Most of the players ahead of him, like Marshall’s Mike Green, are now on NFL rosters.
Key matchup
West Virginia’s secondary against Kansas’ receivers is something to watch. WVU’s secondary has had its ups and downs, giving up the occasional blown coverage. Kansas has a lot of talent outside and should be a good test for safeties Darrian Lewis, Fred Perry and corner Michael Coats Jr. Coats is one of the better defensive backs in the Big 12.
Overall, Alley’s strong defense against Kansas’ high-powered offense should be something to keep an eye on all game. Both have looked really strong through three games so far.
Injuries of note
The star running back White, who led WVU in rushing last year, is done for the season. Wide receiver Jaden Bray is also out for the season after reaggravating a foot injury.
WVU is banged up at linebacker. Mike and Will linebackers Reid Carrico and Chase Wilson have both been banged up in games this season. Rodriguez said he’s hopeful Wilson will play, and Carrico should be good to go.
Rodriguez said WVU’s tight end Jacob Barrick is a “long shot” to play against Kansas, and receiver and punt/kickoff returner Preston Fox is “day-to-day.”
Robinson will play against Kansas after battling eligibility issues.
Game prediction
West Virginia just came off its biggest win of the season against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. The team spirit is at an all-time high. Rodriguez emphasized that his team flushes the excitement and prepares for a strong Kansas team the following week.
The issue over WVU’s first three games has been its offensive consistency. Kansas has no problems offensively, scoring 30-plus points each week. WVU’s offense can’t go five-plus drives without getting a first down, like it tends to do.
Alley’s defense will slow down Kansas’ offense a little, but WVU’s offense won’t keep up enough to get the win. 28-21 Kansas.
