Scouting West Virginia @ LES on a short week

Football
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WVU got trounced at home vs. Utah. 1-WVU was missing a lot of folks in this game:

:yellow_circle: West Virginia Injuries

Out:

  • QB Nicco Marchiol (foot) – starting QB, sidelined for the game2

  • RB Jahiem White – season-ending injury

  • RB Cyncir Bowers – concussion protocol3

  • WR Jaden Bray – unavailable

  • OL Cooper Young – out

  • S Julien Horton – out

Game-Time Decisions (most did not play):

  • RB Tye Edwards (hip-pointer) – listed as questionable, did not suit up

  • C Landen Livingston (ankle) – status uncertain

Impact:

  • Jaylen Henderson started at QB but was ineffective and replaced by Khalil Wilkins4

  • WVU’s run game was depleted, relying on Diore Hubbard, Clay Ash, and Tyler Jacklich

  • Offensive line depth was thin, affecting protection and run blocking

2- Let’s start with QB because WVU was a mess without starter QB Marchiol (foot). BYU will have to scout all three QBs but I would plan on Marchiol for now. I watched the highlights and both Jaylen Henderson (who started) and Khalil Wilkins (who played the 4th qtr and showed promise could get the start)
3 WVU had to play the run game by committee vs. Utah. Ball game, Utah is already stout on the run, WVU had lost their star RB as well as the QB, Blowout. they got 261 on the ground but only allowed 67 yds on 22 carries by WVU’s QBs, lots of 3 and outs.

4- On the pass game, Utah allowed just 85 total passing yds, 39 yds and 1 TD came from one completion to WO Vaughan…..under 50 total yds passing for the entire team. WOW

5- On Paper BYU should be a 2 score or better odds, Late night in Provo, injured Key players, BYU is lights out on the run. all spells a blowout.

6 I think BYU will not be caught flat footed, we already make that mistake vs. Colo, don’t think it will happen twice. Rich Rodriguez is a savvy coach and will have something cooked up. BYU better be ready.

7- BYU should have afield day on the pass game. WVU allowed over 70% completions vs. Utah

8- From WVU: Sunday Morning Thoughts: WVU’s Hope May Rest in Wilkins and a Youth Movement already bailing on the year and looking to next year…..not a good look.

9- WVU Draws Its Largest Underdog Spread Yet for This Week’s Game at BYU

Vegas has BYU -19.5. two thoughts here: BYU’s D prides itself as elite, We were not elite in the 1st half vs. Colo and that puts a bitter taste in your mouth, They will be on fire at home……2- WVU does not want to have to play late at night halfway across the world. I will say BYU covers the spread but does not run up the score and rests Bear in the 4th.

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I’ll take BYU 31-17 with a back-door cover late by the mountaineers. I’ll be at the game with my wife, a couple kids, two brothers, 2 nephews, 2 great nephews and a few other relatives.

Wilkins scares me a little as he did some great things against the Utes last week. Hopefully Hill can confuse him.

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56 - 10 BYU wins

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Three Keys to a BYU Win Over West Virginia

The main thing BYU has to watch out for is UVW blitzes, Bear has been blitzed a fair amount in both the ECU and Colo games. He should have a good passing day, that is the one key I am looking for.

Keep Bear Bachmeier Clean

WVU’s defensive philosophy is straightforward: get after the quarterback.

According to Cam Mellor, WVU ranks sixth nationally in blitz rate. The Mountaineers blitz 43.6% of the time. WVU’s blitz packages are, for the most part, effective. WVU ranks eighth nationally in pressure rate. The Mountaineers get pressure on the quarterback 42.5% of their pass-rush attempts.

As I said earlier, UVW is pass challenged. If BYU shuts down the run, We should have a field day in the pass game (defense)

I will give UWV 2 TDs but both will be cancelled by interceptions and turnovers. Will they get past 10 points? Sure because……. I expect BYU to score 30 or more by the 3rd quarter and the subs get play time in the 4th, UVW will score once this game is out of hand.

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One more nuggy:

Vampire Cougars? Examining BYU’s staggering success in night

As kids, we would dress up as vampires. My little brother could not say his V. they would be Ps or Bs to him. It’s been close to 60 years ago, he would say, “I am a Bombfire (vampire) I come to suck your Bud! hahaahhahaahhaa

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The 10 Highest-Graded Players from BYU’s Win Over WVU

1 Like
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That’s a great story. I’m sure he loves you bringing it up again
And again
And again
My son would say “glud” for blood.
And yes, we bring it up often