College Football 2015: OSU, The Three-Headed Dragon

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

I looked and liked for a new CF thread and couldn't find it without the search function, maybe this is the first, dunno. Mods feel free to lock or merge or whatever.

So, who else wishes their team had Urban Meyers problem at QB? Seems they all are going to stay. Braxton Miller was the one everyone thought was going to transfer and he told AD that yes, he was staying. Interesting to see how that says out in Columbus.

WVU seems to be going with Skylar Howard, who took over for Trickett at the end of the year. Man, I had high hopes that William Crest would be the guy. Either he can't learn the system or Holgs feels he can utilize him better at other positions. Talk is he'll be playing multiple positions on O, slot, tight end?, H-back, and I'm not sure we even us a H-back. The guy is huge, I can't see him in the backfield and again, we're DEEEEEEP in the backfield. Wendell Smallwood has seemed to take over as the #1, and all reports are he had a Monster spring. Also, Kevin White's brother transfered and have been hearing good things about WR. Defense should be among top in BIG12 this year. Very optimistic about this upcoming year.

Love to hear any news you guys have on your teams an your expectations.

[Tyrion the Perfect]

As a Notre Dame fan I'am glad to see Everett Golson heading to that great molder of young men Jimbo Fisher.

Match made in heaven!

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

I don't even understand what FSU wants him for. Unless they have absolutely no one, it makes zero sense to me. You think it'd be smarter to develop a younger QB.

[sperry]

Still can't believe Braxton Miller isn't transferring. Would make a little more sense if he's going to switch positions, he may as well do so at Ohio State. But there is zero chance he starts at QB. Cardale has to know he's the starter, or else why wouldn't have gone pro and been a 1st round draft pick?

[Ferrum Aeternum]

Still can't believe Braxton Miller isn't transferring. Would make a little more sense if he's going to switch positions, he may as well do so at Ohio State. But there is zero chance he starts at QB. Cardale has to know he's the starter, or else why wouldn't have gone pro and been a 1st round draft pick?

It is truly bizarre. He could have stepped right in and started for any number of high quality teams.

[Mike]

It is truly bizarre. He could have stepped right in and started for any number of high quality teams.

I assume he'll switch positions to WR. Supposedly that would give him the best chance to make it in the NFL.

[S John]

WVU seems to be going with Skylar Howard, who took over for Trickett at the end of the year. Man, I had high hopes that William Crest would be the guy. Either he can't learn the system or Holgs feels he can utilize him better at other positions. Talk is he'll be playing multiple positions on O, slot, tight end?, H-back, and I'm not sure we even us a H-back. The guy is huge, I can't see him in the backfield and again, we're DEEEEEEP in the backfield. Wendell Smallwood has seemed to take over as the #1, and all reports are he had a Monster spring. Also, Kevin White's brother transfered and have been hearing good things about WR. Defense should be among top in BIG12 this year. Very optimistic about this upcoming year.

I think the D will be good. There is a chance that WVU will have the best secondary in the Big 12 and the linebackers are no slouches either. If we have a weakness on D it is on the D-line and the lack of a true pass rusher. If someone steps up in this role, I think WVU's D will keep the Mountaineers in most games and maybe even be the main reason for a couple of wins. WVU must be aggressive on D. Absolutely cannot allow Big 12 teams a lot of time to pick us apart through the air - which makes the ? on pass rushers all the more important.

But... I am worried about the offense. On the plus side we have some depth at O-line. Unsure about the quality there but at least we have warm bodies we can throw in there.

We have capable running backs, but none of them are elite, imo. I think Wendell Smallwood could potentially have a break-out year but I wasn't all that impressed with Rushel Shell last year. There was a lot of talk about Shell leading up to last year but he doesn't hit the hole the way I'd like to see. He's not a bad running back, but didn't live up to the hype in year 1, imo. Perhaps he will step it up after having had a year in the system. Donte Thomas-Williams could end up being a monster and will almost certainly contribute but until I see him in games it's all just buzz around practices. I've always loved WVU teams with a strong ground game and we have 3 definitely solid backs, but I don't any Steve Slaton's or Noel Devine's in there, guys who are a real homerun threat.

WR - Lost Kevin White and Mario Alford to the NFL. I'm pretty confident that WVU is going to be just fine at WR with the newest generation, but I expect a little bit of a drop off.

And finally, I'm not really sold on Howard at QB. He did not throw any interceptions in the few games he played last year, but he was not very accurate either. I have heard good things about both Sills and Chuganov, but both will likely red shirt and I wouldn't have high hopes about throwing a true freshman into the fire either. Who knows what the deal is with Crest. If Crest wants to play elsewhere on offense then we should definitely use him because the athleticism is clearly there. But to be the starter at QB he has to beat out Howard, who I think needs some polishing himself, and if he can't do that definitively then that makes me question what we've got at QB right now: A mobile, yet undersized gunslinger of questionable accuracy vs. an athletic specimen who hasn't beaten him out vs. two true freshman.

Anyway, I like the depth that Holgs has built. We were seriously lacking and I think we are finally up to speed in terms of having some nice depth in the roster. But as far as having all of the components of the team peak simultaneously, I do not think that will be the case next year. I look for a year similar to 2014. I'll say 8 wins because this years' schedule is a bit easier than last years'.

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

@S John, I cannot understand what the deal is with Crest, at all. Everything I hear about him is how he is such an elite athlete with a monster arm. Before, last year Holgs made the statement that he was the best QB on the team, just needed time to learn the system. I'm with you on Howard, doesn't impress me at all. Sooooo, the only conclusion I can come to is that Crest simply cannot learn the system. Had a friend go to the weekend camp the held at Shepard College (Eastern panhandle near Martinsburg), and he said Crest looked unbelievable and could make all the throws. Just doesn't make any sense. I will say that it seems to me, that Holgs is shy about taking any chances at QB. Meaning, he'd rather go with a lesser talent with better knowledge of the system, than letting Crest get game time and learn as he goes. As I said before, Smallwood has looked to be the MAN this spring. I'm with you 100% with Shell too, he's never impressed me at all.

[S John]

@S John, I cannot understand what the deal is with Crest, at all. Everything I hear about him is how he is such an elite athlete with a monster arm. Before, last year Holgs made the statement that he was the best QB on the team, just needed time to learn the system. I'm with you on Howard, doesn't impress me at all. Sooooo, the only conclusion I can come to is that Crest simply cannot learn the system. Had a friend go to the weekend camp the held at Shepard College (Eastern panhandle near Martinsburg), and he said Crest looked unbelievable and could make all the throws. Just doesn't make any sense. I will say that it seems to me, that Holgs is shy about taking any chances at QB. Meaning, he'd rather go with a lesser talent with better knowledge of the system, than letting Crest get game time and learn as he goes. As I said before, Smallwood has looked to be the MAN this spring. I'm with you 100% with Shell too, he's never impressed me at all.

I agree, I think this is part of it. I can't say I blame him. The schedule this year is easier than last year but October will be brutal for the Mountaineers:

@Oklahoma

Oklahoma State in Morgantown

@ Baylor

@ TCU

We have 3 games in Sept, Georgia State, Liberty, and Maryland. WVU should win all three of those games (though GSU nearly took out NC State and GT last year so need to be careful with that one).

Point is, Holgs probably looks at that schedule and thinks that he needs a guy who will be at maximum readiness come October. Since Howard already has game experience he is that much more prepared than the others can be. Lets just hope that we blow out GSU, Liberty, and Maryland and are able to get some solid game reps for the rest of the QB cast.

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

http://westvirginia.247sports.com/Bolt/Coach-Pettaway-a-Complete-Package-37901098

Looks like a great verbal for WVU. We don't see many guys from Michigan. Hope this is a sign of improving recruitment and the dividends I thought Holgs would bring in that dept. Also, Thaddeus Moss (Randy Moss's son) gave a verbal also. Hope they stick.

[Frog Eater]

What would the college football summer be without expansion rumors/leading articles?

[url=]http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/100365/ou-president-boren-puts-possible-big-12-expansion-back-in-news

Just bring in BYU and CSU already BIg 12, and be done with it.

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

Indeed, we need a playoff. It hurts the Big 12 chances drastically of making it into the Top 4.

I like BYU and Cincinnati. I think Cincy has better overall Athletic program than CSU. And, I'm being selfish here, also.

[Frog Eater]

Indeed, we need a playoff. It hurts the Big 12 chances drastically of making it into the Top 4.

I like BYU and Cincinnati. I think Cincy has better overall Athletic program than CSU. And, I'm being selfish here, also.

I have always thought that Cincy was a mid major at best program, and should count itself lucky to be part of CUSA, or America Conference or whatever it calls itself now.

No way do they ever get an invite to the Big 12.

[S John]

What would the college football summer be without expansion rumors/leading articles?

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/100365/ou-president-boren-puts-possible-big-12-expansion-back-in-news

Just bring in BYU and CSU already BIg 12, and be done with it.

Ha, not to sound like a creep or anything but I recognized your avatar in the ESPN comments reading that same article this morning. I thought... I wonder if that is the guy from the asoiaf board? Guess it is!

Personally I like the 10 team round-robin format that the Big 12 currently plays. I think it was a disadvantage to getting into the inaugural playoff, but in principle I prefer the idea of all conference members playing each other every year. I think these huge conferences are kind of dumb and what we should have instead is like six 10 team conferences where all teams play each other and conference winners get an auto bid to an 8 team playoff with a couple at large spots.

Since that kind of sensible realignment is never going to happen... sometimes being proactive is the right move, but sometimes I think having patience is better. In the case of Big 12 expansion, IMO, the Big 12 should sit on its hands for a couple of years. I don't think any of the current teams are going to leave the Big 12 in the next 5 years or so.

Last years playoff was wildly popular, as everyone should have known it would be. I think that in a few years there is a good chance that it will expand to 6 or 8 teams. First of all there is the problem with having 5 'power' conferences and only 4 slots. The big 12 got left out in the cold this year, but that may not be the case every year. If Ohio State doesn't absolutely stomp Wisconsin 59-0, Baylor (or TCU) probably would have gotten in. If FSU had actually lost a game during any number of VERY close calls they had last season then Baylor or TCU would have probably gotten in (my guess is that it would be TCU in that Scenario). Point being, maybe this year it is a different conference that is on the outside looking in and those fans will likely be as upset about that as Big 12 fans were this year. I think there is gonna be a push to expand the playoff so that everything is settled on the field. No more stupid committees trying to decide between 5 different one loss teams (and one undefeated one) for 4 spots.

And then there is plain old American greed. TV/Conference/Network people realize that a 6 or 8 team playoff would probably generate EVEN MORE $$$$ for all of them to stash in their vaults and swim around in like Scrooge McDuck.

Point being, if the Big 12 panics and adds UCF and BYU or Cincy or UCONN or whoever else that is actually available... that is going to force the conference to split into divisions and will also dilute the revenue split. If they do nothing, the playoffs may expand in a couple of years and the Big 12 will obviously have a great shot at getting a team into a 6 or 8 team playoff every single year and it won't matter that we only have 10 teams. Then there is no dilution of revenue or competition, we'd get to have our cake and eat it too.

As a WVU fan one of the only really appealing things about being in the Big 12 is that we DO get to play the traditional heavy hitters every single year. Every year we are going to play Baylor, Texas, OU, TCU, etc. Split into divisions and we'll get stuck in the north. Might be good from the perspective of making it an easier path to the champ game, but being on an island geographically is less cool when you wouldn't even be playing the conference staples Texas and OU more than every few years or so - and you'll be making less money to pave to way for a Cincinnati.

[Michael Seswatha Jordan]

I have always thought that Cincy was a mid major at best program, and should count itself lucky to be part of CUSA, or America Conference or whatever it calls itself now.

No way do they ever get an invite to the Big 12.

OK, I guess I can agree with the football program. But, CSU is worthy when Cincy isn't?

S John, i see your rationale. Finances is one thing I never look at. Just doesn't seem as if it would be that big of a difference to me. Yet, its what everything revolves around. You don't think a conf championship would increase revenue? I just believe its probably the way the BIG12 is being pushed (towards expansion) and its inevitable. Might as well go ahead and add a couple and be done with it.

[S John]

OK, I guess I can agree with the football program. But, CSU is worthy when Cincy isn't?

S John, i see your rationale. Finances is one thing I never look at. Just doesn't seem as if it would be that big of a difference to me. Yet, its what everything revolves around. You don't think a conf championship would increase revenue? I just believe its probably the way the BIG12 is being pushed (towards expansion) and its inevitable. Might as well go ahead and add a couple and be done with it.

Yea, as a fan I honestly hate thinking about the financial aspect of it, but when I dig into these topics it is kind of the elephant in the room. It drives a lot of realignment decisions and is likely at the root of all the shuffling that has gone on.

From a strictly fan perspective, I still would prefer to keep the conference at a 10 team round robin. In my opinion, though I am happy that WVU is in a major conference, no major program has gotten the short end of the stick more than WVU has in realignment. WVU has no traditional rivalry games left and is a geographic outlier in an unfamiliar conference that has experienced its own share of instability.

The only silver lining is that WVU gets major marquee games each and every year. If the Big 12 adds two teams then it will have to split into divisions. If those additions are not major programs with a good football history then WVU is going to lose those yearly games with Texas and OU which is pretty much the one great thing about being in the Big 12. Sure, we'd still play them, but it'd be on a rotating basis and it'd be only every few years.

Due to the tradition that the Big 12 South teams have amongst themselves, I suspect that if we split into divisions, the new Big 12 South will look a lot like the old Big 12 South (Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Okie Lite, TCU, TTU). If that is the case and we add, say, BYU and Cincy then the other division would likely be BYU, Cincy, Kansas State, WVU, Kansas, and Iowa State. In other words, we add annual games with a BYU or a Cincy at the expense of annual games with Texas, OU, TCU, etc. The bright side of that, is that I think we'd eventually end up being the team to beat in the North (once Old Man Snyder retires)... but that schedule is a lot less exciting than what we are playing now.

Best case scenario for the Big 12 would be if they had been able to retain Nebraska and add TCU, WVU, and Louisville. Then the north could have been Louisville, West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas State, Kansas, and ISU. Pretty respectable. But it seems the ship has sailed on Louisville and Nebraska. At the least, the Big 12 should have added Louisville when they had the chance and sat at 11 teams until a likely 12th surfaced. I think BYU is a decent add on their own, but there are no home-run partners for them available out there and I don't want BYU so bad that I'd sacrifice playing Texas.

[Frog Eater]

I like the marquee match ups for WVU as well, but I miss our old rivalries a lot more. I still to this day hate VaTech, for no reason other than the football rivalry. I see a hokies bumper sticker and curse out loud. I dont feel that way about Pitt or Maryland or Marshall, just VaTech.

Personally, I would rather WVU move to the ACC and play our old rivalries again, but since that isnt happening anytime soon, I am happy enough with WVU playing in a major conference, and not on the outside looking in.

[S John]

I like the marquee match ups for WVU as well, but I miss our old rivalries a lot more. I still to this day hate VaTech, for no reason other than the football rivalry. I see a hokies bumper sticker and curse out loud. I dont feel that way about Pitt or Maryland or Marshall, just VaTech.

Personally, I would rather WVU move to the ACC and play our old rivalries again, but since that isnt happening anytime soon, I am happy enough with WVU playing in a major conference, and not on the outside looking in.

Same, my understanding is that WVU tried very hard to get into the ACC before moving to the Big 12 but the ACC wasn't having it. Rumor (so take it with a grain of salt) is that the more football oriented ACC schools were receptive to WVU (FSU, Clemson, VT, maybe GT) but the Duke's and UNC's of the world wanted no part of it. It would have been better from a rivalry perspective. Would love to have both Pitt and VT back as conference mates. For years the ACC cited academics as the reason for keeping WVU out, but then turned around and invited Louisville which is no academic powerhouse either. Ultimately I think there is just some bad blood there.

If I recall correctly, the sequence of events was that Pitt and Syracuse declared that they were going to the ACC to give them 14 teams. WVU needed to get out of the Big East anyway, but that was the nail in its coffin. The Big 12 was trying to fill a spot and at the time the ACC was not an option. WVU ultimately beat out Louisville for the Big 12 spot. Then Maryland left for the Big 10 giving the ACC an opening which they filled with Louisville. I suppose it is possible, had WVU not gone to the Big 12 when they did, that they would be in the ACC today. But there was no way of knowing that at the time and the Big 12 really was the only option for staying in a power conference. And, who knows, the ACC has been anti-WVU for a long time, had they not gotten Louisville maybe they would have gone for UConn (great bball school) and WVU would have been left out altogether. I hate the ACC as a conference for being dicks about the whole thing, but I would like to regularly play some of those teams. makes a lot more sense.

[Nuncle Kraken]

Im from Ohio, this is my home state, Miller said. This is where I started and this is where Im going to finish it.

Braxton is staying and he's going to attempt to be the QB.

[Kalbear]

Vernon Adams - the transfer QB from EWU that was going to Oregon - has not completed his graduation requirements and it is unclear when he can join.

Bah.