Game of the Week

Maryland at West Virginia September 18, 2010 12:00pm EDT ESPNU

Why should you care....

Besides the fact that both Maryland and West Virginia have burst out of the gate to start the season 2-0? Well when this game finishes, we will undoubtedly have the answer many questions which have bothered us so. Is Maryland really going to run through the ACC and have a turn around season which will have save Ralph Friedgen's job? Is West Virginia really a contender for the Big East crown, or does the OT win over Marshall actually speak to their abilities? What is the status of the Mountaineer offensive line? Can WVU QB Geno Smith put together 4 solid quarters of play? Will Noel Devine return to his electrifying ground performances of past seasons? Can Maryland continue with their "quarterback by committee" concept and win against a high quality opponent? With so many questions bound to be answered... how could you not be excited about this early season Big East-ACC matchup?

When West Virginia has the ball:

Look for the Mountaineers to keep the offensive revolving around RB Noel Devine. RB Devine averages over 111 yards per game and has 2 TDs on the season. Tough to give a running back a hard time about those numbers, but Devine doesn't seem to be lighting up the field nearly as much as he did last season. With only 8 rushes for greater than 10 yards so far this season, he isn't keeping pace with his 2009 numbers. The WVU running back has dropped 3% in this category, from 20% to 17% of his attempted carries breaking for more than 10 yards. Sure, it doesn't seem like much, but remember this is the first couple of weeks of the season. Devine's numbers should be above average as they will always settle out as the year progresses.

When it comes to the task of stopping the West Virginia offense, the Terrapins are going to have to adopt the Marshall Plan. More precisely, that would be the Marshall Thundering Herd Plan not the George C. Marshall Plan to rebuild post World War II Europe, but I digress. West Virginia's biggest weak point is on the right side of their offensive line. Marshall was able to exploit the weakness using the one-two punch of their defensive stars: lineman Vinny Curry and linebacker Mario Harvey. Together, Harvey and Curry accumulated 3 Sacks, 27 Tackles, and 3 Forced Fumbles. The outstanding effort up front in the trenches threw off Geno Smith's timing in the pocket and kept West Virginia out of rhythm which allowed Marshall to push the game into overtime. Maryland has a similar one-two offering from defensive tackle Joe Vellano (14 Tackles, 4 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks) and linebacker Alex Wujiack (23 Tackles, 2 TFL). If these two players can have the same impact on the right side of the West Virginia line, Maryland may have a chance at an upset.

When Maryland has the Ball:

Watch out for the dual quarterbacks threat. Now, don't miss read that. I said dual quarterbacks threat... not dual threat quarterback. Maryland has decided to opt for a "quarterback by committee" concept which seems to be working thus for them. QBs Jamaar Robinson and Danny O'Brien have combined to complete 13 of 29 passing attempts for 159 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs in only 2 games. Luckily for the Terps, this is a marked improvement over last year. Friedgen seems to be satisfied with rotating the quarterbacks as necessary to play to each of their strengths and minimize their weaknesses which will work only as long as they both stay healthy. Now here's where it all falls apart. Danny O'Brien left last week's game against Morgan State with a "sprained" ankle which he says will be ready for Saturday's game, but how often have you heard a player say he won't be completely healed by game time? The most concerning thing for Friedgen has to be the loss of their 3rd string quarterback C.J. Brown who broke his collarbone last weekend. With Brown out and O'Brien a question mark, Robinson will have to pick up the slack or split time with true freshman Devin Burns.

Attacking the Maryland offense will be West Virginia's defense which already boasts 5 players with more than 10 combined tackles in 2 games. DB Terence Garvin and LB Anthony Leonard are the team leaders in tackles, but the Mountaineers have shown a complete inability to bring down the opposing quarterback. The team has yet to record a sack. The possible game changer for West Virginia will be the loss of starting cornerback Brandon Hogan who has been suspended indefinitely by Bill Stewart following a DUI charge. Hogan's presence will definitely be missed, but with Maryland's complete lack of a passing game, the loss shouldn't be any reason for the Mountaineers to lose.

The Intangible:

Injuries. Injuries. Injuries. West Virginia still doesn't have LB Pat Lazear back from a bone bruise in his leg he sustained during the preseason. Add to that Safety Robert Sands who is only probably after banging up his shoulder against Morgan State. Maryland isn't really doing any better with 1 quarterback out, another banged up, 3 tight ends sidelined, and a play maker defensive out with a torn up knee. Who ever wins this game will have overcome plenty of setbacks in their depth chart in only the first two weeks.

What's going to Happen:

While I think Maryland is going to make this game look very similar to the last week's Marshall-WVU game, I just don't think the Terrapins have what it takes to beat a quality opponent. Taking Morgan State out behind the woodshed last week and topping a Navy squad full of miscues doesn't mean Friedgen's boys can hang with the talented Mountaineers. I feel this game will the beginning of the unavoidable end for the Fridge.

My Pick: West Virginia

Upset Alert

Connecticut at Temple

1.3 yards per carry is all Central Michigan could average against the Owls on 33 attempts! Temple did give up plenty of yards through the air but the secondary came up big with 3 intercepts in the game. With the Huskies coming off a big, lop-sided win over Texas Southern, I think they're ripe for the picking.

My Pick: Temple

The Undercards

Cincinnati at NC State

+3 per game is the turnover margin NC State after two weeks. Cincinnati on the other hand has averages -0.5 per game. With a 3.5 margin for this match up and a Wolfpack offense which is surprisingly powerful, I expect Cincinnati to come away from this one with another tick in the loss category.

My Pick: NC State

Louisville at Oregon State

Look, you have to respect any mascot who can wander around a stadium wearing no pants! I'm come on, really?! The Beaver wears no pant! Alright, back to what the stats are saying... well with only one data point to reference for Oregon State, a loss to TCU, one might want to jump to the conclusion that Louisville has the edge in this game. Not so. I'd expect the Beavers to come out strong and pick off The Sausage King of Chicago at least 3 times. After all they came away with interceptions against #4 TCU.