Slaton10 Musings Week 7

Good Morning Boys!..

Crazy game Saturday...okay understatement of the year...I will get to it in a moment..

I know you have been waiting with great anticipation all week to hear if the Johnny Unitas Committee responded to me...the answer is...................................a resounding NO!..I'm sure you all are shocked!

Cheerleaders of the Week....meet your Oregon Duck Squad!..seriously the school is in the middle of nowhere how does this happen!

Oregon Ducks Cheerleaders 2017: Hottest Photos On The Web

News from around the country that is of interest to yours truly:

This just in...after recording 108 yards of total offense and 3 consecutive game of no offensive touchdowns it is highly unlikely Butch Jones returns to Tennessee...well maybe he has a million to one shot so like the lottery he has a chance!..

That team for the talent they have is a disgrace...and Wv fans think we have problems!

On the heals of that...Alabama is pretty good..

ARMY!..Became Bowl Eligible with a missed Temple Owl chip shot in OT ...whats notable in this game ...ARMY PASSED for 141 yards!!

Hey Dad....how you liking Iowa State now? I told the world they were going to win games this year...and have to tell you...they now loom large on Wv Schedule...they are playing with a ton of confidence...my opinion yes TT may have not gotten over the Wv loss..but I think they were still processing their HC quitting on them last week......


What was that QB thinking in the Okie State/Texas game???


Is it possible Graham and RichRod are getting things turned around in the desert??....

Did I read that right..ECU won a football game?..and their defense gave up only 17 points??

And last but not least...yes you have my attention Lane Kiffin....who has the Owls at 4-3 and have averaged 55 points a game in their last 3 wins!


On to your West Virginia Mountaineers...

I was reading comments on Facebook and they range from Fire Dana ( Of Course, that makes a lot of sense after a win) to what shitty play calling ( yep another week of 500 yards of offense so play calling is definitely the issue) to the defense is a disaster ( and of course its Dana's fault) and the Officials are out to get us..again..

Here is a direct comment!..Holgersen continues to demonstrate his lack of understanding of the game. Not only is he not head coach material, he clearly isn't qualified to coach special teams. It's past time to step down..

Well, you can tell it came from a detailed oriented fan..can't even spell Dana's name right

and one more....

Hallelujah! The truth about thus team is FINALLY being seen by others than myself. Holgs is pathetic as a coach and his staff is as clueless $3,000,000 is the biggest waste of money ever spent on his sorry ass! I’ll do a better job for half that amount. Really




I wonder if Oklahoma fans were calling for their coaches job by barely escaping Baylor earlier this year?

My take....

I am sure I have said it before Wv needs to recruit thicker running backs...#25 looks like he is out of gas....I thought the line blocked up front well he just doesn't seem to be exploding through the hole like he did earlier in the year...could be playing hurt..same could be said about #4 he is getting through the hole but what happened to his jump cuts?...and Pettaway is going to need to get more than 3 totes a game to be affective...

QB: What can you say ...he had a historical day...26/37 a career best 375 yards and another 5 TD's the first time in Wv school history a QB threw for 5TD's in back to back weeks..yeah the Coach's suck and Will's awesome in spite of it..

To the point ...Special Teams..Kinney gets worse every week and I didn't think that was possible! I was scratching my head a little of why Wv didn't believe an on sides kick was coming...that WAS on Dana..it only made sense they would try one when they did...

Defense: Folks they are what they are...an inexperienced, not terribly strong ( Hey Strength Coach Dude what happened here?) DL group that by the
third quarter can't get off their blocks from fatigue..especially in the 4th quarter when the Backup QB came in with fresh legs they were totally exposed..very concerning with Kansas State coming up soon ...

Mike Daniels has done nothing to get better each week...add Battles to that list..they do the same dumb shit week in and week out...Daniels looks like he would rather play LB then on the corner...


I thought the LB's had their best game of the year...I like that group going forward...would like for them to create a few more turnovers...

Scheme: Tough one to comment on...they brought pressure early ( which I thought led to some of the fatigue late) which made sense since the starting QB didn't seem to run around much..but why bring pressure with the backup..kid clearly had some running skills and he put Wv in several situations of stretching the defense which opened up the running game inside big time...

The 3 consecutive 3 and outs hurt in the 4th quarter but I am not sure I would have play called any differently. Your defense is clearly gassed your up against one of the worst run stopping teams in the country and you need to kill clock...and you don't want to put your team in a position for a turnover...

It was clearly one of those games all of us arm chair QB's would have done something different...well good news...they won the game...the first time ever in Waco...I will take it...

Everyone is worried about next weekend?..Well Okie State looked more than beatable against Texas and second, one thing we have seen so far this year the bigger the game ...the team seems to play harder...see VT and TCU...both on the road....BTW

What is it about the 4th quarter that makes our Defense stink? Our D-line is having serious issues. Our CBs look lost. We just need to outscore everyone.

OK State is really beat up this year. We definitely got them at the right time.

Oklahoma State
Date Pos Player Injury Status
10/22/17 OL Brad Lundblade Foot is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
10/22/17 LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder Ankle is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
10/22/17 OL Teven Jenkins Undisclosed left last game, is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
09/24/17 OL Larry Williams Leg out for season
09/17/17 CB Madre Harper Dismissed out for season
09/12/17 LB Brendan Vaughn Dismissed out for season
09/10/17 LB Kevin Henry Knee out for season

Defense was on the field for more than 11 minutes in the 4th quarter. Yea Gibby prob should have blitzed the kid a little more when they switched QB's but we all know why he didn't/couldn't. That game likely would have gotten closer even quicker had he fired a few times and missed, we have seen that song and dance enough this year.

Spav, Dana and Grier did a poor job managing the clock with a lead in the 4th quarter and as usual special teams goofed up again during a game.

WVU didn't hire Dana Holgorsen to be the ST coach, imo he needs to stick with his strengths by keeping the offense sharp and play calling creative and hire a special teams coordinator that can recruit and roll with it ( that means Scott needs to go) . Can't do it right now I know but once the season is done we need to upgrade in that area imo.


I might be proven wrong but I have a good feeling about Saturday against OSU. They have OL issues and Rudolph as good as he is, is not a great escape artist so... might set up for some blitz opportunities but again... we gotta be careful.

Funny, WVU's defense played great in the 4th qtr of the TT game. I think I saw they ran 14 plays and gained 16 yards in the 4th qtr.

There is no doubt the Brewer kid came in and changed everything. Is that an excuse? I guess so. But, he was fresh and he had some good speed. He ran the read option, and our tired guys missed some plays. The TOP was crazy lopsided. But, that's good game planning on their part. WVU had something like 5 possessions in the first half. Our defense simply got tired. Not enough depth at LB and CB.

I thought the DL had a pretty good game. They had something like 6 sacks and 12 TFL's.

Strange game. Disappointed in the decision to use screen passes in those last two possessions. Will makes a ton of great throws. The RB screen is not one of them. I understand the WR screen is nothing more than an extended running play. But, the BU CB's were unable to stay with our guys. The middle of the field was wide open, and we could have eaten clock by dinking and dunking.

I was glad to hear Dana make a comment about the lack of holding calls against BU. Our guys uniforms were being pulled on... right in front of officials all game, and nothing.

Defensive delay of game against WVU? For calling out a slant? No defensive delay on BU when the kid loses his shoe and falls to the turf to stop the clock?

Bullshit is getting old...

Anotherwvufan said:

What is it about the 4th quarter that makes our Defense stink? Our D-line is having serious issues. Our CBs look lost. We just need to outscore everyone.

OK State is really beat up this year. We definitely got them at the right time.

Oklahoma State
Date Pos Player Injury Status
10/22/17 OL Brad Lundblade Foot is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
10/22/17 LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder Ankle is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
10/22/17 OL Teven Jenkins Undisclosed left last game, is "?" Saturday vs. West Virginia
09/24/17 OL Larry Williams Leg out for season
09/17/17 CB Madre Harper Dismissed out for season
09/12/17 LB Brendan Vaughn Dismissed out for season
09/10/17 LB Kevin Henry Knee out for season

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I just think the reality is two of them are just out of HS and playing DL against more experienced FBS Power 5 kids is taking its toll..its not lack of effort they are just not ready to play 50 plus snaps a game for 12 weeks...Wv needs to get the running game going to take the pressure off of this group...as far as the CB's both upper classmen..they SUCK!...and they are not going to get any better...unfortunately..an early pre-season call by BBW pointed out the concern and he was right sadly enough..

GoldRusher said:

Defense was on the field for more than 11 minutes in the 4th quarter. Yea Gibby prob should have blitzed the kid a little more when they switched QB's but we all know why he didn't/couldn't. That game likely would have gotten closer even quicker had he fired a few times and missed, we have seen that song and dance enough this year.

Spav, Dana and Grier did a poor job managing the clock with a lead in the 4th quarter and as usual special teams goofed up again during a game.

WVU didn't hire Dana Holgorsen to be the ST coach, imo he needs to stick with his strengths by keeping the offense sharp and play calling creative and hire a special teams coordinator that can recruit and roll with it ( that means Scott needs to go) . Can't do it right now I know but once the season is done we need to upgrade in that area imo.


I might be proven wrong but I have a good feeling about Saturday against OSU. They have OL issues and Rudolph as good as he is, is not a great escape artist so... might set up for some blitz opportunities but again... we gotta be careful.

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Great Post BTW!...as I said in the original comments...I think they were between a rock and a hard place..should they have just stuck with going vertical and stayed inside the numbers with the ball...maybe...but momentum had clearly swung and they needed to run clock to give their defense a breather...tough spot for the staff for sure...

I kind of like what Dana has done with the Special Teams...Kickoff coverage has gotten really good, seems the FG unit is sharp..kick off and Punt return has gotten much better since week 1...nothing Dana can do with Molina and Kinney, even though it looks like Molina has turned it around a little bit...

bbwvfan said:

Funny, WVU's defense played great in the 4th qtr of the TT game. I think I saw they ran 14 plays and gained 16 yards in the 4th qtr.

There is no doubt the Brewer kid came in and changed everything. Is that an excuse? I guess so. But, he was fresh and he had some good speed. He ran the read option, and our tired guys missed some plays. The TOP was crazy lopsided. But, that's good game planning on their part. WVU had something like 5 possessions in the first half. Our defense simply got tired. Not enough depth at LB and CB.

I thought the DL had a pretty good game. They had something like 6 sacks and 12 TFL's.

Strange game. Disappointed in the decision to use screen passes in those last two possessions. Will makes a ton of great throws. The RB screen is not one of them. I understand the WR screen is nothing more than an extended running play. But, the BU CB's were unable to stay with our guys. The middle of the field was wide open, and we could have eaten clock by dinking and dunking.

I was glad to hear Dana make a comment about the lack of holding calls against BU. Our guys uniforms were being pulled on... right in front of officials all game, and nothing.

Defensive delay of game against WVU? For calling out a slant? No defensive delay on BU when the kid loses his shoe and falls to the turf to stop the clock?

Bullshit is getting old...

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I can't disagree with anyone's take really...I truly believe whatever anyone says here .....(except for firing coaches)...is not the wrong view or what may have worked...not sure if you noticed what I had said at the TT game with the receivers were one on one just inside the numbers and I mentioned a quick pass to those guys must be pretty inviting to Will, he didn't throw in the TT game , he came to it in the Baylor game though..give Baylor credit they kept those plays in front of them and they all could have gone for scores..

I think Gibby is in a tough spot...I thought the LB's got after the QB really well in the first half...no way they can dial that up for an entire game...we saw what happens...frustrating..

Again, Brewer brought a totally different level of athleticism to the game once he was inserted. Smith was a freaking statue. Brewer looked like Boykin back there dodging the rush, and once he hit open field... he could take advantage of it!

bbwvfan said:

Funny, WVU's defense played great in the 4th qtr of the TT game. I think I saw they ran 14 plays and gained 16 yards in the 4th qtr.

There is no doubt the Brewer kid came in and changed everything. Is that an excuse? I guess so. But, he was fresh and he had some good speed. He ran the read option, and our tired guys missed some plays. The TOP was crazy lopsided. But, that's good game planning on their part. WVU had something like 5 possessions in the first half. Our defense simply got tired. Not enough depth at LB and CB.

I thought the DL had a pretty good game. They had something like 6 sacks and 12 TFL's.

Strange game. Disappointed in the decision to use screen passes in those last two possessions. Will makes a ton of great throws. The RB screen is not one of them. I understand the WR screen is nothing more than an extended running play. But, the BU CB's were unable to stay with our guys. The middle of the field was wide open, and we could have eaten clock by dinking and dunking.

I was glad to hear Dana make a comment about the lack of holding calls against BU. Our guys uniforms were being pulled on... right in front of officials all game, and nothing.

Defensive delay of game against WVU? For calling out a slant? No defensive delay on BU when the kid loses his shoe and falls to the turf to stop the clock?

Bullshit is getting old...

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I actually agree with most of your post here!!!! I fault a lot of the Baylor comeback in the fourth quarter on our offense, NOT the defense. WVU had a 25 point lead, and we are snapping the ball with 20 left on the play clock, throwing the ball, rather than running. Three and out, using a minute and a half and giving them the ball right back, and putting our tired defense back on the field let them back into the game. Should have at least been aware that an onside kick was a possibility, thankful for the win, I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss!!

WVUDAD said:

I actually agree with most of your post here!!!! I fault a lot of the Baylor comeback in the fourth quarter on our offense, NOT the defense. WVU had a 25 point lead, and we are snapping the ball with 20 left on the play clock, throwing the ball, rather than running. Three and out, using a minute and a half and giving them the ball right back, and putting our tired defense back on the field let them back into the game. Should have at least been aware that an onside kick was a possibility, thankful for the win, I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss!!

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This is becoming a thing between you and me... you know that... don't you?

Yes... the offense needed to do all of the things you stated. I was alright with attempting short passes that are usually pitch and catch type plays that pick up 3-5 yds and keep the clock running. Of course, the clock don't keep running when the pass falls incomplete. Poorly executed plays.

I also agree with both you and Slaton. How does Dana not have his kids ready for the first onsides kick? Even stupid ole me was yelling it out to my wife and son watching the game with me. WTF?

Oh well... we don't face a mobile QB this weekend... thank god.

I'm feeling like GoldRusher about Saturday. Not sure if that is a good thing or not...

bbwvfan said:

This is becoming a thing between you and me... you know that... don't you?

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We both have mellowed a bit, I have realized that Holgorsen is learning and getting better, you have realized he has some faults. We are both Mounties to the core!

Wv is a 7.5 home dog...what a bizzare line for a team traveling from the west and playing a Noon game...like BBW says........WE GOT THEM RIGHT WERE WE WANT THEM!

WVUDAD said:

We both have mellowed a bit, I have realized that Holgorsen is learning and getting better, you have realized he has some faults. We are both Mounties to the core!

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Almost every coach has faults...except maybe Saban..and his maybe he eats assistant HC's for Breakfast and Dinner!..

McElwain at Florida is SEC Coach of the Year in 2015 and now he and his coaching staff are receiving death threats and maybe out of job by years end..

We saw first hand what happens when you have an emotional hire (No Name Mentioned Here) and look at Ogeron in his FIRST YEAR at LSU there is already a Gofundme site to pay is exit fee...

Clay Helton's seat at USC is heating up...

I could go on...thing is none of these coaches forgot how to Coach...

I think Wv is one of the most difficult jobs in the country... You have a passionate fan base that has unrealistic expectations of what the program should be...IMHO for Wv to compete..and I mean truly compete... like a OU or Bama or whoever you have to have a solid in state recruiting base and you also need to be seen as a National Brand...Wv has or is neither..I perceive them to have more of a Cult following Nationally and the Cult part has everything to do with the fan base ....there is only two "LIKE" programs that I can think of off hand that you could compare WV to and only 1 "USED TO" be perceived as a national brand and that is Nebraska..and look at that program now...its not even on the same level at the moment as WV....the other is Oregon...if it weren't for the facilities that NIKE paid for they wouldn't even be in the conversation...

I think Dana is a really good Coach..I think he is the RIGHT coach for Wv....he has done a great job working into new recruiting grounds...pull up Rivals commit list and see where they are coming from...When was the last time the program could say it annually could pull kids out of Georgia...or North Carolina...and finally making inroads back into Western PA..its pretty diverse..I think ANOTHER mentioned that signing JUCO's made him uncomfortable..I first said its no big deal..I maybe back tracking on that comment..I think its needed but they maybe recruiting too many now...

I think Dana continues to evolve...he is no one trick pony...I do believe he will continue to try and pound the ball going forward I think he likes that identity more than being an AIR RAID Coach...I wouldn't be surprised to see him change directions on defense...I think somehow he knows Wv needs to play a 4 man front...especially watching this years team..if you can't recruit the talent to play in a 3 man front something has to change...

Man... I must have my homer glasses on.

http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/oklahoma-state-west-virginia-odds-october-28-2017-793368

Predicted score.... Okie St 49 WVU 34

The line opened at 6 and has gone to 7.5.

If WVU's defense plays like it did against TT for 3 qtrs, I can see this happening. If WVU's defense follows TCU's script against Okie St and forces them to work the middle of the field where they're uncomfortable, I see something much different.

But, that's just me...

bbwvfan said:

Man... I must have my homer glasses on.

http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/oklahoma-state-west-virginia-odds-october-28-2017-793368

Predicted score.... Okie St 49 WVU 34

The line opened at 6 and has gone to 7.5.

If WVU's defense plays like it did against TT for 3 qtrs, I can see this happening. If WVU's defense follows TCU's script against Okie St and forces them to work the middle of the field where they're uncomfortable, I see something much different.

But, that's just me...

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The O/U is 77.5 a shootout is expected in MOTown..I think they have to find away to run clock at least for the first half to save some legs...if they are up or down 7 at the half I like Wv big in the second half to win it!

Slaton10 said:

Almost every coach has faults...except maybe Saban..and his maybe he eats assistant HC's for Breakfast and Dinner!..

McElwain at Florida is SEC Coach of the Year in 2015 and now he and his coaching staff are receiving death threats and maybe out of job by years end..

We saw first hand what happens when you have an emotional hire (No Name Mentioned Here) and look at Ogeron in his FIRST YEAR at LSU there is already a Gofundme site to pay is exit fee...

Clay Helton's seat at USC is heating up...

I could go on...thing is none of these coaches forgot how to Coach...

I think Wv is one of the most difficult jobs in the country... You have a passionate fan base that has unrealistic expectations of what the program should be...IMHO for Wv to compete..and I mean truly compete... like a OU or Bama or whoever you have to have a solid in state recruiting base and you also need to be seen as a National Brand...Wv has or is neither..I perceive them to have more of a Cult following Nationally and the Cult part has everything to do with the fan base ....there is only two "LIKE" programs that I can think of off hand that you could compare WV to and only 1 "USED TO" be perceived as a national brand and that is Nebraska..and look at that program now...its not even on the same level at the moment as WV....the other is Oregon...if it weren't for the facilities that NIKE paid for they wouldn't even be in the conversation...

I think Dana is a really good Coach..I think he is the RIGHT coach for Wv....he has done a great job working into new recruiting grounds...pull up Rivals commit list and see where they are coming from...When was the last time the program could say it annually could pull kids out of Georgia...or North Carolina...and finally making inroads back into Western PA..its pretty diverse..I think ANOTHER mentioned that signing JUCO's made him uncomfortable..I first said its no big deal..I maybe back tracking on that comment..I think its needed but they maybe recruiting too many now...

I think Dana continues to evolve...he is no one trick pony...I do believe he will continue to try and pound the ball going forward I think he likes that identity more than being an AIR RAID Coach...I wouldn't be surprised to see him change directions on defense...I think somehow he knows Wv needs to play a 4 man front...especially watching this years team..if you can't recruit the talent to play in a 3 man front something has to change...

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Obviously, I agree with everything you posted. AD's get the decision wrong at 20x the rate they get it right in choosing to fire and rehire the HC position. Brian Kelly was on the hot seat last year. Today is COY!

This is a game played by kids. WVU does not have the talent nor has success recruiting the talent needed to meet some of our fans' expectations.

If you want to look at a recent example of how to make a difference in recruiting... look at Clemson. They were always better at it than us... location... location... location. However, they moved to the next level after putting a plan together. The President, AD and boosters got together to provide financial support to build facilities and boost the recruiting coordinator's department/office. They have gone all in. Big time social network connections with recruits too!

JUCO's were heavy last year due to lack of high school kids showing interest in WVU. That ain't happening this year.

bbwvfan said:

Obviously, I agree with everything you posted. AD's get the decision wrong at 20x the rate they get it right in choosing to fire and rehire the HC position. Brian Kelly was on the hot seat last year. Today is COY!

This is a game played by kids. WVU does not have the talent nor has success recruiting the talent needed to meet some of our fans' expectations.

If you want to look at a recent example of how to make a difference in recruiting... look at Clemson. They were always better at it than us... location... location... location. However, they moved to the next level after putting a plan together. The President, AD and boosters got together to provide financial support to build facilities and boost the recruiting coordinator's department/office. They have gone all in. Big time social network connections with recruits too!

JUCO's were heavy last year due to lack of high school kids showing interest in WVU. That ain't happening this year.

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Throw Penn State in there...amazing what their boosters and school will do to get that program back on top...incredible they have been able to turn it around so quickly even with the coaching change when O'brien left...it is a true National Brand program...

Slaton10 said:

and the Officials are out to get us..again..

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One note here... 170 penalty yards for WVU. 20 for Baylor.

Slaton10 said:

I think Wv is one of the most difficult jobs in the country... You have a passionate fan base that has unrealistic expectations of what the program should be...IMHO for Wv to compete..and I mean truly compete... like a OU or Bama or whoever you have to have a solid in state recruiting base and you also need to be seen as a National Brand...Wv has or is neither..

Click to expand...

I think WVU can be good consistently, and can recruit against the big boys given the right circumstances. WVU was on the cusp of being a national brand in 2005-2007, people were rooting for us everywhere, there was not YET the expectation of competing with UGA, OU, etc, but the foundation was being laid. As to in state recruiting, we may not have many in state kids, BUT Western Pa and Eastern OH are closer than Bluefield, Huntington, or even Charleston. Are my expectations unrealistic? Maybe, but I think we can compete with anyone. If WVU gets to winning the games we should, competing with everyone, and knocking off a big boy now and then, recruits will want to come here. I travel a great deal for work, and see people with WV hats and shirts on from Texas to Minnesota, from Kansas to Maine, all we have to do is win some games.

Mac_Bridger said:

One note here... 170 penalty yards for WVU. 20 for Baylor.

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They don't want the new kid in town to get the pretty girl!!