Archive for July, 2008

ZHK: West Virginia

July 13th, 2008 by LvilleOrange

The ZHK moves on to the next Big East opponent on the schedule and that is the West Virginia Mountaineers.  To recap thus far, the ZHK has predicted a 3-2 record for through the the first month of the season.  That’s more than the entire last season win total!  Now fresh off a bye week, the Orange roll up against the team that has grabbed the position of beast in the new look Big East football era.

What we know

The defending Big East champs aren’t without controversy as they start the season.  Rich Rodriguez left his alma mater to take the Michigan job.  The messy divorce from the WV program is going to cost him and UM $4 million.  His replacement, Bill Stewart, may have been the perfect person to guide them in their BCS dismantling of Oklahoma, but he could be a long term risk, as evidenced by SI’s Stewart Mandel shredding.

We like to think of WV as some inconquerable beast, but in reality this team lost two games in conference last season.  The wins were to Western Michigan, Marshall, maryland, East Carolina, Cuse, Mississippi St, Rutgers, Louisville, Cincinnati.  The losses:  South Florida and Pitt – a game that cost them a shot at the BCS title.

The offense will be just as potent as last season.  Seven starters return, including QB Pat White and a veteran offensive line.  Noel Devine replaces Steve Slaton at RB.  The big concern is durability at the skill slots as Slaton and White lost time in several games with various nagging injuries.  The WR core is inexperienced but talented with Dorrell Jalloh and Wes Lyons stepping in.

On defense, only four starters return but they are key.  Linebackers Reed Williams and Mortty Ivy were the teams top tacklers.  The secondary will be competely overhauled and the line will be manned by sophomore Scooter Berry and Frosh Chris Neild.  I’m not sure they can expect to maintain their standing as a top 10 D (7th overall last season – 8th in scoring/16th rushing/14th passing), but they should be enough given their potent offense.

Quick Fact

Dan Mozes’ 2006 Dave Remington award is the only major hardware garnerd by a WV player.

Why we can win

We have a week to prepare for this game and this could be trap game for WV sandwiched between Rutgers and Auburn. Wait a minute, I think I hear something. Oh its my alarm clock waking me from the ’87 SU/WV classic.
1987 SU/WV

Why we can lose

Well we have lost the last 6 games by an average of 34-13. We haven’t won in Morgantown since 2000. To think we can pull of a big upset would be surprising to say the least. I think we can easily expect another 20+ point pounding.

ZHK says

I’m not one for moral victories, but I think this season is going to need a number of these such “wins” to save GRob’s job. And how SU plays against the top dawgs like WV will go along way in determining his fate. SU will have to try and match WV’s speed on offense by controlling the ball and taking advantage of WV’s young line and secondary. Can we do it? Maybe for a quarter or half, but I would expect that SU will have a hard time winning in Morgantown.

Next ZHK: South Florida breakdown

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ZHK: Pittsburgh

July 8th, 2008 by LvilleOrange

Well it is finally time to address the Big East schools on the schedule. And it brings us to the Pittsburgh Panthers.

What we know

The Panthers are this year’s darling to make a splash in the Big East Conference race for a BCS slot. Much of this is largely based on Pitt’s upset of West Virginia in the season finally 13-9,that effectively ended the Mountaineers chance to play in the BCS championship game.  Also coach Dave Wannstedt has been stacking up Top 25 recruiting classes like a weightlifter on a steriod program.  Last year Pitt finished with a 5-7 record and 3-4 in conference play with wins over Eastern Michigan, Grambling St, Cincinnati, Syracuse and West Virginia. Losses were to Michigan St, UConn, Virginia, Navy, Louisville, USF and Rutgers.

Things went south for Pitt when QB Bill Stull was lost for the season with a thumb injury and true frosh Pat Bostick was given the reins. Also lost for the year was talented WR Derek Kinder. He is back as is Oderick Turner, burner TJ Porter and they welcome 6’6″ 5-star Jonathon Baldwin.  LeSean McCoy was a revelation at RB, rushing for 1300+ yds and 14 TDs. If there is a concern on offense its that the OL returns only one starter. The line needs to gel, but the weapons are definitely there.

The real reason that expectations are high is that the defense has a chance to be special. Last year the D ranked 5th overall in total yards allowed thanks to allowing only 167.2 yds a game, good for 3rd in the nation. The DL is really talented and deep, led by end Greg Romeus, a man who terrorized our line last season as the Panthers got 6 sacks against us last season. The Defense also returns all three starting LBs.

Last year’s 20-17 win by Pitt has squared the overall series at 30-30-3. The game was close throughout with Pitt scoring late to go up 20-10 and then hanging on as the Cuse staged a comeback.  Pitt has won 5 of 6 after SU had totally dominated the 90′s.

Quick fact:

The University of Pittsburgh officially claims nine National Championships for the Panthers football team: 4 unanimous, (1916, 1918, 1937, and 1976) and 5 shared titles (1915, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936).

Why we can win:

The two teams played a tight affair last season in a game that saw Cam Dantley come in and play well in place of Andrew Robinson.  The game being in the dome will definitely help.  Despite McCoy running well we hung around.  Our offense should be better w/ a stable of healthy backs to prevent Pitt’s defensive line from just having to tee it up on every play.

Why we can lose:

A top notch dline that can reek havoc on an inexperienced oline. A RB that can pound away and get tough yards. Experienced and improved QBs. The promise of a top 25 season and the maturation of several highly rated recruiting classes gives hope for at least an 8 win season and a nice bowl game.

ZHK says:

If I drink the kool-aid being served to me by every talking head, this game is the proverbial no-brainer. Pitt should win this game easily. The problem is, I still have some lingering doubt about Wannstedt as a college coach. And not that I don’t think Pitt will be very dangerous going forward. There is also this quote from Browning that has me intrigued, “I have been pleasantly surprised by the talent on hand”. If there was any shred of hope, its the knowledge that the Oline woes can be turned around. And the hope that Browning thinks improvement is achievable this season.  By this point we know what we have and whether any of this preseason speculation means anything. I think we can keep this game close and get a late FG by Pat Shadle to secure the early season surprise.

Next Week: West Virginia

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