newjerseynewsroom.com

BY DANNY BRESLAUER

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Bill Stewart has done well enough for the West Virginia football program to keep his critics at arm's length, but the general consensus is that 2010 is the year that the Mountaineers need to jump back to the top of the Big East standings. WVU was picked to finish second with defending champs Cincinnati in the preseason poll. Danny Breslauer previews the Mountaineers.

After a 9-4 (5-2 in the Big East) result in 2009 and a loss in the Gator Bowl for Bobby Bowden's swan song at Florida State, WVU will be shooting to return to the BCS for the first time since spanking Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl (Stewart's first game as interim head coach). A late October clunker against USF and a three-point loss to juggernaut Cincinnati were all that kept WVU from that goal a year ago.

Two players they'll miss: Jarrett Brown (QB)-2,610 total yards; Alric Arnett (WR)-43 receptions and three receiving touchdowns.

Two newcomers to watch: Bruce Irvin (LB); Ivan McCartney (WR)

A New Era Under Center

Jarrett Brown was one of the good guys who stayed for all four years of college and earned his reps by observing Pat White for a couple seasons. After being thrust into postseason action due to a Brown injury, rising sophomore quarterback Geno Smith now has the keys to the well-oiled machine that is this millennium's WVU offense. He's mobile (not as fleet of foot as his two predecessors though) and completed 65 percent of his limited pass attempts in '09. The 26 points per game that West Virginia put up last year will have to be elevated if it plans on the computers liking its 2010 body of work.

Despite the quarterback uncertainties, senior running back Noel Devine's career has flown by with remarkable consistency and flare. His highlight reel-filled '09 campaign saw him nearly reach 1,500 yards on the ground and post 14 touchdowns. His speed and cutback ability make him one of the most dangerous players in the nation. With that on the Mountaineers side, it's hard to think that any team on their slate will take them lightly. The Big East's best rushing team has fullback Ryan Clarke's eight scores returning as well.

The receiving core is quick, dynamic and fun to watch too. The most exciting player outside of Devine on this team is senior Jock Sanders (72 receptions, 688 yards, 3 TDs). He is often utilized out of the slot to deceive defenses looking for Devine in the flat.

The Defensive Formation

The 3-3-5 always makes things interesting for a West Virginia defense that allowed only 22 points per game last season. Unlike in past years when nose tackle and linebacker have been stalwarts for WVU, the secondary has stepped it up a notch this offseason.

All-Big East defensive back Robert Sands leads the way with five interceptions and a frame better suited for a wing on Coach Huggins' squad.

And of course, the front three for West Virginia always fits the description of "big uglies" as veteran Scooter Berry returns with Julian Miller to assist still-learning nose tackle Chris Neild, as he emerges as one of the toughest players in the conference.

The question is-who will step up at linebacker for the Mountaineers or will they be shredded by underneath routes all year long?

Key Games

WVU gets a great test in Death Valley on Sept. 25 against LSU in a game that could define the Mountaineers momentum heading into the Big East portion of the schedule. They could and should be favored in every game after that until a Thanksgiving weekend Backyard Brawl at Heinz Field with Pittsburgh. That game could be for the conference title.