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West Virginia vs. Marshall
Pointspread: West Virginia -13.5
9/10/10
Things didn't go the way Doc Holliday wanted in the first week of play, but
they may get better in the second. In his first game as head coach of the
Marshall Thundering Herd, Holliday watched his team get pulverized by the Ohio
State Buckeyes 45-7. Now his new team will take on his old one; the West
Virginia Mountaineers. Bill Stewart and Co. started the year with a business
like 31-0 win over Coastal Carolina. The
line currently has WVU as a 13 point
favorite. Can they cover? Let's take look at some areas that might help YOU
decide.
One of the biggest keys for Marshall will be stopping WVU RB Noel Devine. The
senior runner is one of the best in the nation at what he does. Rest assured, he
will get plenty of carries. Marshall has 4 of their top 5 tacklers back from
last year. They weren't able to stop him a year ago when he rushed for 2 TDs,
and 103 yards en route to a 24-7 Mountaineers win. To be successful in this game
they must contain Devine. I say contain because it's extremely unlikely they can
stop him completely.
A big advantage for the Thundering Herd heading into this game is that their
offense will be far better than last year. QB Brian Anderson has improved since
the last time these teams met. He tossed 2 INTs in their previous matchup. It's
pivotal that he connects with his WRs in the end zone this time. Playing at home
on a Friday night will help his confidence. Anderson has a good offensive line
protecting him, and just as importantly making holes for RB Martin Ward. The
sophomore runner was quiet against the excellent run of the Buckeyes, but is
capable of helping his team get a "W" here, or in our case allowing them to stay
within 13 points.
The West Virginia Mountaineers have been solid on the road in recent history,
but they have shown the ability to lose to inferior teams. Case in point, they
lost to USF last year 19-30 as a 3 point favorite. It will be important for them
to enter this game and quickly step on the throat of their opponent. They can't
let Marshall believe they've got a chance to take down the 25th ranked team in
the country. If they let Marshall hang around in a big, big, national televised
event then the Mountaineers could find themselves in a bad way during the second
half.
How will West Virginia win this game? The same way the win most of their games!
That is by pounding the rock with Noel Devine. He gained 1,465 yards last year
and is more than capable of doing so again. QB Geno Smith was largely effective
in his debut as the starter, but he could have problems entering a hostile
environment for the first time. On the defensive side of the ball it will be up
to the Mountaineers to keep pressure on Marshall QB Anderson. If they can force
him to throw INTs like he did twice last year it would virtually end any chances
of a Thundering Herd victory.
This is a no play for us but here are some thing to consider. West Virginia has
owned this series since it resumed ago 5 years ago. They have won every year and
by large margins. That being said, last year was the closest Marshal has come.
They lost 24-7. However, they led at the half, 7-3. Both teams bring back
essentially the same team from a year ago, however West Virginia must replaces
QB Jarret Brown. Lastly, it has always been our opinion that playing a
powerhouse the week before, as Marshall did with Ohio State, HELPS that team the
following week providing they aren't banged up. Things that were impossible to
execute a week ago, suddenly work, and build confidence. No strong play here but
we lean towards Marshall +13.5