The series was one of the most intense in all of college football, played every year from 1973 to that last game in 2005. It was filled with enmity from the fan bases, especially in Morgantown -- to the point where Tech coach Frank Beamer instructed his players to not take off their helmets on the sidelines, as they might be hit by something flying out of the stands.
The Hokies had tipped the scales of the series mightily in recent years, winning nine of the last 12 contests, including five of the last six in Blacksburg. This will be a neutral site game, featuring players who were in grade school the last time the teams played.
 |
| WVU coach Dana Holgorsen knows his team will be tested (The Smoking Musket) |
"As far as the emotions, that's is going to flow naturally," Mountaineers linebacker Xavier Preston said. "You just have to be able to know where you are at and at the same time stay focused on the game. There are going to be a lot of emotions. I think we are capable of handling it."
Virginia Tech comes into the game ranked 21st, while WVU is one spot behind. The teams haven't played a neutral field since 1962, when they faced off in Richmond, and the coaches are more concerned about getting off to a winning start rather than any sort of deep-seated rivalry stuff. Neither Tech coach Justin Fuente nor WVU boss Dana Holgorsen were around the last time the teams played.
"You've got a little bit of everything going on in your head," Fuente said. "When you kick it off to start the season on a fantastic stage, against a great opponent, you can't help but feel all of those emotions as the ball kicks off."
"There are some question marks when you have a new quarterback, which we both fall into the same boat when it comes to that, and when you switch coordinators," Holgorsen said. "There's always a level of uncertainty going into year one. Probably this year more than the last couple of years with us, there's probably a higher level of uncertainty."
Virginia Tech will lean on redshirt freshman Josh Jackson to handle the quarterback chores, and Fuente has praised his work ethic and abilities throughout fall camp. Jackson is, like much of the team, untested -- Tech has 11 redshirt or true freshmen on the two deep, which could provide Fuente some anxious moments.
"I certainly think you feel better when you have guys that have been out there," he said. "But they all said they wanted to play when we were recruiting them, so here's the opportunity. That's what I tell them, too -- 'I sat in your living room and you told me you wanted to play.' So, it's not good enough at Virginia Tech just to play, but play well. There will be some young guys out there for the first time, but hopefully we've done a great job training them and they will be ready to contribute."
Two experienced players are also two of Tech's beset -- running back Travon McMillan (671 yards last year) and receiver Cam Phillips (76 catches, five TDs). Rest assured Jackson will look to both often, if only to settle his nerves.
Grier won't have to win it by himself for the Mountaineers, as running back Justin Crawford -- the Big 12's leading returning rusher (you can win a bar bet with that tidbit) with 1,184 yards -- returns, and wideout Ka'Raun White, who amassed nearly 600 yards before injuring his leg late in the year.
West Virginia's defense last year was the best its been in some time, allowing just 24 points per game, but only three starters return from that group. The best among them is Mike linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton, who netted 80 stops. The return of safety Dravon Askew-Henry, a preseason all-league pick last year before missing the season with a knee injury suffered in fall camp.
 |
| Virginia Tech boss Justin Fuente believes his young team is ready (TechSideline.com) |
The Hokies still have Bud Foster as the architect of the defense, and as long as he's around it almost doesn't matter who the players are. Foster has been one of the best in his field for years, placing Tech first in America in sacks, interceptions, third down conversions and completion percentage since 1996. Foster has the pieces in place to be as ferocious as the 2014 unit, which allowed just 20.2 ppg and tallied 48 sacks. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds leads the way (106 tackles), and sophomore Trevon Hill is a burgeoning star, compiling 2.5 sacks in mostly reserve duty. The secondary is top-notch, featuring corner Greg Stroman and safety Terrell Edmunds, and will force Grier to be mighty near perfect.
Having the stage to themselves, on a Sunday evening, will be a thrill for both teams, and facing a ranked opponent right out of the box makes for a special kind of atmosphere.
"Getting the rivalry started back up, we're all excited about that," Holgorsen said. "We've opened with good teams pretty regularly here. We opened with Alabama in Atlanta; last year we opened with Missouri and a neutral site game versus BYU, which was a big game; we open up with Tennessee next year and Florida State a few years from now. I'm a big fan of it. Having this one right out of the gate is good; I think everybody gets excited about their first game.
"I have no problems with the first game that's a neutral site that's a "big game." That's fine with me."
The winner of the contest will receive the Black Diamond Trophy, symbolic of the coal industry's rich history in both states.
WHAT
No. 21 Virginia Tech vs. No. 22 West Virginia
WHEN AND WHERE
Sept. 3rd, 8 pm, FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
WHO TO WATCH
VIRGINIA TECH -- How amped up will Jackson be at quarterback? He will need to find himself quickly if the Tech offense is going to operate with precision. This is not uncharted territory, as Jerod Evans was making his first collegiate start in Tech's 2016 opener. A veteran offensive line should ease Jackson's transition, and having McMillan and speedy Steven Peoples in the backfield should calm him down. The defense was down by Virginia Tech standards last year, with a lack of turnovers and a surprising inconsistency against the run (five opponents were better than 5.0 ypc). Seven starters back means another year of understanding the defense, which should be a boost.
WEST VIRGINIA -- Grier hasn't played in nearly two years, missing the last part of the 2015 campaign at Florida, then getting popped for PEDs and leaving school. He has, by all accounts, blended in nicely, and White and converted quarterback David Sills are two of a deep and experienced receiving corps. The real star is Crawford, who doesn't get the headlines he deserves despite averaging 7.3 ypc. He keeps defenses honest and is a home run threat. How the defense will fare is anyone's guess, as only the linebackers return. Askew-Henry being healthy is a plus, and Syracuse transfer Corey Winfield (85 tackles, 8 pass break ups) will bring energy to a rebuilding secondary. OC Spavital also bears watching as Holgorsen is used to being the primary playcaller.
WHAT DECIDES THE OUTCOME
Whichever strength -- West Virginia's offense vs. Virginia Tech's defense -- holds the upper hand, that's the team that comes out ahead. West Virginia's defense faltered late in the season, and having one of the least experienced teams in FBS is a concern. Don't be surprised if DC Tony Gibson comes up with some wrinkles designed to throw Jackson off balance. For Tech, the ability to get to Grier is paramount as he has shown the ability to throw the football (nearly 66 percent completions at Florida). Crawford should get his, and the Mountaineers won't be afraid to test the Tech secondary deep with Gary Jennings and Marcus Simms. Special teams is always a Tech strength -- 30 scoring returns and 25 blocked kicks since 1987 -- and this year is no different. Kicker Joey Slye is clutch, and Stroman was among the best return men in the country before getting injured.
No comments:
Post a Comment