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WVU/USF Preview
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Quote:
-“Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys So far it has been four up and four down for WVU. The Mountaineers have yet to be tested by a stout defense or a high-powered offense for an entire game (games DO NOT end at the half, Marshall). Additionally, as expected, Rich Rodriguez has not reached very far into his bag-o-tricks against any foe this season. Well, after four weeks of playing “Sabotage”, RichRod might have to dip in a little further in the Big East opener against South Florida. After sinking the Pirates of East Carolina, WVU is looking like a championship caliber team (for at least a game). The Bulls will play host on a rare Friday night game for the ‘Eers. While Rutgers has the supposed best front defensive line in the Big East, USF will have one of the most athletic and quickest defenses seen all season. The Bulls have come a long way in a short amount of time. How quickly? The program did not even exist a little over a decade ago. Well, if you were born on the USF football program’s inception, they were cracking heads and winning D-1AA games while you were in diapers and struggling with “da da”; your first bus trip to school saw them taking bus trips as a D-1A team; when you reached fourth grade (or first for Louisville fans) and decided that cooties might not be so bad from that cute girl two seats over, the Bulls were tearing up a major conference, winning a bowl game and having pre-pubescent dreams of crashing the BCS. Back to the now and this Friday…  This dedication to football, and not the obvious, explains the Bulls quick rise to success Offensively The Bulls have an all too familiar outlook and gameplan: the quarterback is the key playmaker. Sophomore Matt Grothe has shown his grit and ability repeatedly over his short career. Now, after upsetting West Virginia in Morgantown last season, Grothe and the Bulls face their most challenging task: keeping pace with WVU this year. Grothe has shown vast improvement in his decision-making, as evidenced by the zero interceptions thrown this season (14 in ’06). While his rating (131.2) and completion percentage (60.4) are slightly down from last season, the South Florida signal caller is still averaging over 200ypg passing and nearly 30 rushing. Not a speedy/explosive runner, his elusiveness (and our complete lack of tackling) made him so dangerous last November.  “Grothe, you know you’re the only one that’s any good on this team.” Freshman running back Mike Ford enters the game as the leading rusher. He shows 33 totes on the yeah for 170 yards, with 21 and 74 of the respective totals coming against Auburn. Junior Benjamin Williams is not far behind averaging 39ypg. Both are serviceable backs with decent hands; however, Ford is the star and will be looked upon for big plays. Their ground game is not frightening to face, but with the attention demanded by Grothe, it should become a point of interest—especially on third down. USF has plenty of depth at wide receiver, returning five of last season’s top pass catchers. Despite being tabbed as preseason reserves, senior Amarri Jackson and blazing sophomore Jesse Hester Jr are making their names in the Bulls’ passing game (each with 10 receptions). Leading the way is returning starter Taurus Johnson. He has nabbed 13 passes for 150 yards on the season. Altogether, fourteen different players have hauled in a pass in USF’s version of the spread. Defensively The South Florida defense should get A LOT of credit. They are quick, can tackle and play well in space (let alone on Earth--/rim shots). In last seasons forgettable game, the Bulls held WVU to a paltry 132 rushing yards. THAT total is usually expected from Slaton alone. A strong and deep front line return this season to try and bottle up WVU’s speedy backfield. Sophomore George Selvie has turned out to be a monster pass rusher, while possessing more than enough strength to be a run stopper on the end. He will likely require a double team or a solid veteran, at least, on him all game. The other end is solidified by Sr Jarriet Buie. Richard Clebert and Aaron Harris are both undersized and very, VERY quick in the middle. They will test the O-line’s athleticism the entire game. Buie, Clebert and Harris have all been bitten by the injury bug in recent years. Keep an eye on them for signs of wear and tear as the game progresses. The linebackers took the biggest hit after last season, losing Patrick St Louis and stud Stephen Nicholas. Senior Ben Moffitt returns to anchor what will be another strong group. Moffitt made 112 tackles last season and is a stout defender. He is not overly fast or athletic, but he plays with tenacity and comes up strong against the run. Think Marc Magro without arms the size of tree trunks. On the outsides, Tyrone McKenzie and Brouce Mompremier—this guy has GOT to be French—will do plenty to slow opposing offenses. McKenzie transferred in from Iowa State after making 129 stops and 9.5-tfl last season. He was granted immediate playing time from the NCAA via a hardship waiver. He is a quick, disruptive defender that can play every down. Mompremier has been mostly a special teams player the past two season, but he is tabbed as possibly the fastest linebacker on the team. The last level of the Bulls’ 4-3 alignment is a good one. Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams return for one more season, after spurning the NFL. Williams is a great talent at corner and led the conference with seven picks last season. Don’t be fooled by the stat sheets, though. Jenkins is a shutdown corner with next level ability. Both have safety size and great closing speed. The safeties are very strong. 6’4”, 215lb Carlton Williams is moving to strong safety to better punish ball carriers and unlucky receivers venturing through the middle. Former quarterback Nate Allen takes over at free safety. He began the spring on the second team but quickly moved to a starting role because of his speed, awareness and size (6’0” 200lb).  Yeah, it’s close to that Outlook The Bull offense is above average. Sure, QB Grothe gets plenty of acclaim as a playmaker, but the team is not exceptional past his personal play. However, his leadership and charisma are more than enough to rally his troops for battle against the toughest of defenses. His own defense even feeds off his electricity—as if they needed it. As a unit, this is the best defense the Mountaineers will face all season. The line is probably the second best in the conference, the linebackers are probably the best in the Big East and the secondary is one of the best in the nation. THIS is the team that poses the biggest threat to unseating WVU as conference faves (at least they do now that we know Louisville has decided to burn the defensive half of their playbooks). This is the one team (so far) that will not have to employ a cover zero against the Mountaineers. They have DBs with enough talent to man up on the line. The linebackers can quickly fill-in the gaps to slow Slaton early on. The backside pursuit from the defensive ends and weak-side linebackers will be consistent enough to limit White on options. The ‘Eer backfield will have to make the correct decisions all game long. These guys rarely miss tackles. WVU will be able to establish the run, but it won’t be easy. The bubble screen that ate up ECU will not be as readily available as Jenkins and Williams will be waiting to pounce on it for an easy defensive score. To effectively stop USF, Grothe has to be pressured and contained. He is still a young QB and can be forced into mistakes. If we tackle like the game last season or the first half against Marshall, wave goodbye to the BCS. Without an overly dangerous rushing attack and an average offensive line, WVU’s stronger and more athletic front should create protection problems. A steady diet of properly…ahem, PROPERLY disguised and executed blitzes are key. A turnover couldn’t hurt, either.  “Holy shit that’s cold! I hope we lose!” What will happen…If you can’t get fired up for a game like this, then you don’t belong on the field again. Ever. Both teams will be hitting it hard and fast out of the gate. The first two possessions will be scoreless as each jockeys for momentum in the first quarter. WVU will strike with a field goal on the third possession as USF answers with a TD in the second quarter. A late Pat White run will make it 10-7 at the half (I hate losing at halftime  ). WVU will (hopefully) open the 3rd with the ball and a huge special teams return. After trading touchdowns, Grothe will be pressured into a mistake and fumble away possession. WVU will suck the wind out of the Bulls and Raymond James Stadium en-route to a 31-20 victory.Rodriguez is a sandbagger. Time to sabotage the Bulls’ BCS hopes.  |
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| Poster | Thread |
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| wvulaw | Posted: 9/25/2007 8:14 pm Updated: 9/25/2007 8:14 pm |
Suspected Punter   Joined: 10/4/2006 From: Harding, WV Posts: 174 |
 Re: WVU/USF PreviewThis game has had me nervous for weeks (and the losing at halftime prediction doesn't help) It will be a great postgame celebration friday evening. <br /><br />By the way, did anyone else notice that there are some USF fans hidden in the first picture? You have to look carefully to find them.
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| southwvboy | Posted: 9/25/2007 9:11 pm Updated: 9/25/2007 9:11 pm |
Makin' it Rain   Joined: 1/25/2006 From: ohio via Panther WV Posts: 3944 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview I'm freaking geeked. This is the shit you get pumped up for as a fan. I get off work at 3 and will be drinking at 3:05.
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| ouee | Posted: 9/25/2007 11:40 pm Updated: 9/25/2007 11:41 pm |
Noob   Joined: 5/20/2007 From: Parkersburg Posts: 40 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview Did anyone else hear Caridi's show tonight? A guy from Tampa called in and was talking some pretty serious trash, about how they are just like the Canes and are ready to carry the conference for the next ten years. He also said that WV can't handle being the marquee team in the league and that there will be no WVU fans at the game on Friday. Which I find interesting since I think half of Florida is made up of retired West Virginians.
He said that he is going to call back on Monday, which I hope he does after the Eers wipe the field with the baby bulls on Friday night. |
| BeastoftheEast | Posted: 9/26/2007 12:05 am Updated: 9/26/2007 12:05 am |
WMITC   Joined: 7/21/2006 From: Boone County, WV Posts: 9803 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview These USF fans are getting a little arrogant aren't they? There won't be any WVU fans at the game? Sounds like a know nothing douche bag.
Anyway this is a great article and here's hoping that we make steak out of the damn Golden Bulls and show them that their year might be coming..but it won't be this year. |
| msaul37 | Posted: 9/26/2007 7:43 am Updated: 9/26/2007 7:43 am |
  Joined: 7/27/2006 From: Alkol, Lincoln County Posts: 12329 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview gotta love the uncalled for hot chicks..
i heard usf's center was out?.. i think where we have 2 of their coaches from last year, that may help us out a little.. at least let us know what we were doing wrong. i think we should pull a statue of liberty bubble screen. also, you must remember pat white was hurt in the game last year.. owen was hurt in the game last year.. we have to remember that. |
| joeserial | Posted: 9/26/2007 8:28 am Updated: 9/26/2007 8:30 am |
Staff Writer  Joined: 5/5/2006 From: Elkins Posts: 1606 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview WVULAW, I have us up 10-7 at the half. Check again.
I won't put us down at the half because I "hate" it. |
| minkeun_2000 | Posted: 9/26/2007 10:32 pm Updated: 9/26/2007 10:32 pm |
Grant Ave. Warrior   Joined: 7/24/2007 From: Beckley, WV Posts: 799 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview is it just me or is that girl in the middle in the first picture like extremely hotttt...
oh and a statue of liberty play would be amazing haha |
| wvulaw | Posted: 9/27/2007 12:59 am Updated: 9/27/2007 12:59 am |
Suspected Punter Joined: 10/4/2006 From: Harding, WV Posts: 174 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview I stand corrected... my fears are alleviated.
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| majorfan | Posted: 9/27/2007 6:54 am Updated: 9/27/2007 6:54 am |
Makin' it Rain  Joined: 1/4/2007 From: sunset beach, nc Posts: 2798 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview I think we got this one guys. 30-13
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| wheelert | Posted: 9/27/2007 10:19 am Updated: 9/27/2007 10:19 am |
Makin' it Rain  Joined: 9/15/2006 From: Monrovia MD Posts: 3761 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview It's not just you. The girl in the middle may be why USF is winning many recruiting battles.
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| majorfan | Posted: 9/27/2007 2:25 pm Updated: 9/27/2007 2:25 pm |
Makin' it Rain Joined: 1/4/2007 From: sunset beach, nc Posts: 2798 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview I can't figure out which one of THOSE douches IS hitting that!
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| ncaafan | Posted: 9/27/2007 3:18 pm Updated: 9/27/2007 3:18 pm |
Noob Joined: 9/27/2007 From: endzone, usa Posts: 2 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview That girl is Jenn Sterger - the FSU cowgirl. She went to USF her 1st 2 years but left to go to FSU. She was at a game last year during FSU's off week doing some stuff with CNN/SI
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| dlshu | Posted: 9/28/2007 1:02 am Updated: 9/28/2007 1:02 am |
Here for the Beer   Joined: 7/26/2007 From: Beckley Posts: 480 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview WVU 45 USF 17 ive said it in other posts and Im sticking with it
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| dlshu | Posted: 9/28/2007 1:03 am Updated: 9/28/2007 1:03 am |
Here for the Beer Joined: 7/26/2007 From: Beckley Posts: 480 |
Re: WVU/USF Preview we really need a big win just to gain a little respect from the voters
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