The Mountaineers have played their hearts out this year and are one of the best tackling and hardest hitting WVU clubs in recent memory. They truly embody the meaning of TEAM by demonstrating unselfishness behavior and a WE first attitude.

Coach Butch Jones has done an unbelievable job with the wide receiving corps as they are not only catching the ball, but have dramatically improved their downfield blocking. These blocks are many times the difference between a five yard play and a 50 yard play.

For all of the hype surrounding Jason Gwaltney’s running ability, which is well-deserved, his blocking has been even better! Two weeks ago against Wofford, Gwaltney completely annihilated the defensive end which was the key block that sprung QB Pat White for a 48-yard TD run. While Gwaltney’s second touchdown run against Maryland typified the type of run that made him one of America’s top prep running backs last year, his best plays in the game occurred without the ball in his hands. What many people have overlooked is that he made many of the key blocks that led to Owen Schmidt’s big runs. When you have a rising star that is unselfish, it permeates throughout the entire team and leads to great team unity.

Mike Lorello, Jahmile Addae, Dan Mozes and Jay Henry have inserted themselves as the leaders of this team. The quarterback play has been solid and should only improve. In fact, it is almost eerie how well Adam Bednarik and Pat White have supported each other. Don’t think the rest of the team hasn’t taken notice and followed suit.

Frankly, this 2005 WVU squad reminds me of last year’s Virginia Tech team that won the ACC title. They were a young and talented squad that needed some experience and early season success to build their confidence. They were also very proficient and deep on both the offensive and defensive lines. Tech had leaders who stepped forward and led that team to some early season tough victories. What was the key to their early season victories? A stout, hard hitting defense that kept them in games as their young backs and receivers gained valuable experience that eventually led them to a league title. Hmmm. That definitely sounds like the 2005 version of the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The next step in the development process of a young team is to not overlook a lesser opponent. Which brings us to this week’s game: East Carolina

Big East Games

East Carolina at WVU (-21) Will the Mountaineers keep their poise and not overlook the 1-1 East Carolina Pirates? The Mountaineers are looking forward to a HUGE match up with the Virginia Tech Hokies next week in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPN. East Carolina brought in former UConn coach Skip Holtz to rekindle the program left smoldering by former coach John Thompson. Thompson was 3-20 in his two years at the helm of the Pirates after previous coach Steve Logan had placed the Pirates in the national spotlight. Holtz may rebuild the purple & gold into a formidable foe, but not this year. The Mountaineers lead Division I-A in rushing and that doesn’t bode well for ECU as they gave up 210 yards rushing to Wake Forest’s Chris Barclay last week. The Pirates walk the plank.

WVU 38 ECU 10

Louisville (-22) at South Florida Last week, the Cardinals showed that they not only possess great talent, but great poise as well. Louisville fell behind Oregon State 10-0 in the first quarter, but the Cards rolled to a commanding 35-10 halftime lead and won the game 63-27. Some media publications are now mentioning the Cardinals as a potential national title contender. South Florida hasn’t aspired to that status yet, but they did prove that they were the fourth best team in the state by defeating Central Florida last Saturday. USF’s Bull market won’t last long.

Louisville 50 USF 20

Youngstown State at Pitt(iful) (NL) The Panthers are 0-3 after two botched field goal attempts in the final seconds cost them a win at Nebraska. In what could be the ugliest game between two BCS teams in the past three years, Pitt(iful) had a chance to steal a road win and choked – TWICE!!! How bad was this game? It looked like a bad I-AA game. It’s understandable for the Panthers as they must have been looking ahead to this week’s game against I-AA Youngstown State. The Penguins are 3-0 and have averaged more than 40 points per game. If Pitt(iful) plays like they did against Ohio University, the Penguins might just score the upset of the year. For the sake of the Big East...

Pitt(iful) 24 Youngstown State 20

Top 25

#1 USC (-20) at #24 Oregon The Ducks spoiled Fresno State’s upset bid last Saturday by storming back from a 17-0 deficit to defeat the Bulldogs 37-34. USC needed no such dramatics as they humiliated Arkansas 70-17 at the Coliseum. The Trojans literally scored at will and could have easily eclipsed the 100 point margin in that game. USC has simply reloaded from last year’s national championship team. Even a Trojan Horse won’t help Oregon this week as the Quack Attack gets grounded.

USC 45 Oregon 14

#10 Tennessee at #3 LSU (-6.5) The Vols lost a tough game in The Swamp to Florida last weekend and can’t afford another loss if they are to vie for the SEC East crown. LSU has had two weeks to prepare for UT after a last second win at Arizona State two week’s ago. Tennessee has the talent, but Phillip Fulmer continues the quarterback carousel this week by renaming Erik Ainge as this week’s starter. The Vols are lacking leadership and that is not the recipe for success as they travel into Baton Rouge for a 7:45 ESPN game. The Cajuns will be rockin’ and rollin’ by kickoff as the Tigers claw the Vols out of the SEC East race.

LSU 17 UT 10

#15 Georgia Tech at #4 Virginia Tech (-11) The battle for the early lead in the ACC Coastal Division takes place in Blacksburg this week as the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech roll into town to battle the Hokies. However, Georgia Tech may be without quarterback Reggie Ball as he was hospitalized last Friday night with viral meningitis. They played without him last week and were still able to get by UConn, while the Hokies were no doubt looking ahead to this game by playing a very lackadaisical first half against Ohio U. Even if the Yellow Jackets have Reggie Ball, the Hokie defense is just too strong and fast as the Hokies swat the Jackets.

Virginia Tech 24 Georgia Tech 14

#5 Florida at Kentucky (+23) The schedule maker continually does their best to assist Kentucky upset Florida by annually scheduling this game the week after the Tennessee-Florida game. Even though this has blowout written all over it, especially after Kentucky was blasted by Indiana last week, the Wildcats will make it close for a while because Florida will simply be going through the motions.

Florida 31 Kentucky 13

#7 Georgia (-14.5) at Mississippi State Are the Bulldogs for real this year? The Bulldogs from Athens, Georgia are as they travel to Starkville to take on Sylvester Croom’s Mississippi State squad. Georgia travels to Knoxville for an SEC East showdown with Tennessee next week and might just be looking ahead to that game. MSU upset Florida in Starkville last year as they caught the Gators looking ahead. Georgia coach Mark Richt will surely remind his team of that game as they look to stay perfect on the year. In the battle of the SEC Bulldog...

Georgia 35 Mississippi State 10

#21 Iowa at #8 Ohio State (-7) Quarterback Drew Tate’s return for Iowa last week was a very encouraging sign for the Hawkeyes. Tate, who was knocked out of the previous week’s game against Iowa State with a concussion, was able to shake off the cobwebs to lead Iowa over Northern Iowa and get some much needed reps before venturing to Columbus this week. Meanwhile, Ohio State was obviously feeling the effects of their previous week’s loss to Texas as they sleep walked past San Diego State on Saturday. The Buckeyes appear to have settled on Troy Smith as their quarterback and he will be the difference in this battle of the “Eyes” as the Buckeyes blacken the Hawkeyes.

Ohio State 24 Iowa 14

#11 Purdue at Minnesota (-3.5) Minnesota is off to their usual red hot start as they continually whip cream puff after cream puff early in the season. Expectations are high again in Minneapolis as star running back Laurence Maroney has run wild on the competition to this point. Purdue is attempting to build the type of team chemistry that can carry the Boilermakers, and the Big Ten, to the Rose Bowl title game. However, the Gophers usually play well until they play Michigan and that’s not for a few more weeks. The Golden Gophers let off some steam…

Minnesota 24 Purdue 20

Colorado at #12 Miami (-14) This game probably looked like a national title game match up when it was initially scheduled. However, both programs have slipped a notch, or two in the case of CU, over the past few years. Does Miami have anything left in its tank after last week’s triple overtime victory at Clemson? Colorado rumbles into Miami undefeated and looking to spring the upset on the Hurricanes. Coach Gary Barnett will prepare his troops well for this game, but he can’t imitate the South Florida heat and humidity in Boulder. Miami’s young players grew up greatly against Clemson and have a huge advantage playing early season games in Miami. The ‘Canes corral the Buffaloes…

Miami 27 Colorado 9

#13 Cal (-29) at New Mexico State Cal couldn’t find their offense in the first half last week in Berkley, but stormed back in the second half to defeat a stubborn Illinois squad. New Mexico State lost to rival New Mexico last week in a game that was much more of a blowout than the score indicated. This is Cal’s last non-conference game of the year and coach Jeff Tedford will be looking to get reps for as many players as possible. This game should be over by the halftime with the Golden Bears substituting throughout the second half.

Cal 51 New Mexico State 17

#14 Michigan at Wisconsin (+2.5) The Wolverines venture into Camp Randall Stadium for an early season Big 10 showdown. Badgers running back Brian Calhoun has been nothing short of fabulous to this point in the season while Michigan RB Michael Hart was shelved last week after injuring his hamstring in UM’s previous week loss to Notre Dame. This game will be played under the lights and the Badger faithful will be foaming at the mouth to get this W. Give the rushing edge to Wisconsin in this one, but if the Badgers are going to pull the upset, QB John Stocco must find a way to keep the Wolverines from stacking eight men in the box to stop Calhoun. The Badgers snip the Wolverines at home…

Wisconsin 17 Michigan 14

#16 Notre Dame (-13.5) at Washington Has it only been nine months since Tyrone Willingham was the head coach of the Fighting Irish?! New Golden Domer’s coach Charlie Weis has re-established Notre Dame as a national power in a very short time. He most certainly has instilled a “never say quit” attitude with his team as Notre Dame could have easily packed it in last week against Michigan State when they fell behind by 21 points mid-way through the third quarter. Instead, they rallied and took the Spartans into overtime before coming up short. Needless to say, they never had that attitude under Willingham, who is a good coach and is now at the helm of the Washington Huskies. The Huskies are in a rebuilding process and Notre Dame’s players will be looking to get back into the win column after tasting defeat for the first time in 2005. The Fighting Irish baptize the Huskies on the shores of Union Bay…

Notre Dame 45 Washington 20

#17 Michigan State at Illinois (+10.5) Michigan State went into South Bend last weekend and ruined Notre Dame’s home opener. QB Drew Stanton carved through the Irish defense all day and has the Spartans off to a 3-0 start to the season. Side note: Someone please explain to me how MSU was victorious at Notre Dame and is still ranked one spot BELOW them. Irregardless, the Spartans must avoid a letdown this week as they travel to Champaign to take on a much improved Fighting Illini squad. Illinois traveled to Cal last week and had the lead entering the fourth quarter, but eventually fell to the 13th ranked team in the country. The Spartans are coming off a very emotional win and host state rival, #14 Michigan, next week. The Illini ambush the Spartans in a “tweener” game and pull the upset…

Illinois 27 Michigan State 24

#18 Arizona State (-4.5) at Oregon State Unlike most teams, the Sun Devils didn’t let a last second defeat in their previous game linger into their next as they soundly defeated Northwestern this past Saturday night in Tempe. Oregon State wasn’t as fortunate as they were thoroughly paddled at Louisville. Things won’t get much better for the Beavers this week as ASU’s strength is the same as Louisville’s: The passing game. The only thing that will slow down the Devils this week is if they look ahead to next week when they host USC. Unfortunately for the Beavers, they get taken to the woodshed again.

Arizona State 52 Oregon State 28

Indiana State at #19 Texas Tech (NL) The Red Raiders continue their crème puff non-conference schedule as they play host to their second consecutive I-AA team. The Sycamores enter the game 3-0, but won’t even be in this game after the coin toss. Tech rolled up 80 points in last week’s win and will come close to that number again this week. The Red Raiders cut down the Sycamores…

Texas Tech 77 Indiana State 10

Arkansas at #20 Alabama (-16) Arkansas has had a very rough year to this point. They were upset at home by Vanderbilt in their first conference game and then throttled at USC last week. The Razorbacks don’t catch any breaks in the schedule this week as they roll into Tuscaloosa to battle what could be Alabama’s best team in a decade. ‘Bama’s offensive line dominated South Carolina last week and quarterback Brodie Croyle gives the Tide a passing threat to where teams cannot load up in the box to stop the run. Razorback coach Houston Nutt will be wondering why he didn’t take the LSU job in the off-season as the Tide slaughters the Hogs.

Alabama 40 Arkansas 17

#22 Iowa State (-17.5) at Army The Cyclones take to the road for their first contest away from Ames this year. They travel to the shores of the Hudson to take on the U.S. Military Academy which is being rebuilt by coach Bobby Ross. Army is playing much tougher this year, but still has a long uphill battle before they are a competitive team. ISU soundly defeated Iowa in their last outing and had a bye week this past weekend. The Cyclones should blow out the Black Knights, but will likely resemble a cool breeze as they look ahead to their game at Nebraska next week.

Iowa State 27 Army 17

Duke at #23 Virginia (-24) The Cavaliers turned the ball over three times last week at Syracuse, but a third down scramble of 26 yards by QB Marques Hagans set up the game winning field goal as Virginia defeated the Orange 27-24. Duke won its first game of the year last week by defeating I-AA Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in what might be the Blue Devils’ only victory of 2005. The Cavs roast the Devils…

Virginia 48 Duke 12

Bye Week: #2 Texas, #5 Florida, #6 Florida State & #25 UCLA

Let’s hope the Mountaineers and Hokies are both victorious this weekend. The ‘Eers need all of the national attention we can get!