Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which celebrates the anniversary of maybe the most memorable/forgettable Friday Feedback yet. That one — containing the Tajh Boyd nothing-to-see-here proclamation (I’m still not over that) and the you-better-hammer-Syracuse line — went over about as well as a fat pole vaulter.

But it’s in the past. Know what makes me feel better? Yackity Sax. I wonder if tomorrow’s game is best viewed with that playing in the background. Syracuse and USF turned the ball over five times inside the first five minutes Saturday. WVU — did you know it has a turnover problem? — turned the ball over on the same play it created a turnover against Colorado. These are error prone teams and I have a hunch whichever team screws up less wins. 

Then again, I could see Noel running around the Syracuse defense while the Orange pursued like bikini clad buxoms after Benny Hill.

Either way, the live blog will be fun. I’m going for regular updates and not some quarterly analysis. Feel free to chip in with comments during the game. Also, some have experssed a concern Texts from Game Day might disappear this week. It will not. Send those, too.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, sweat the small stuff! 

rekterx said:

If Syracuse eliminates its turnovers, and West Virginia doesn’t, we will have a lot of very nervous WVU fans in the 4th quarter.

And I have to go with USF to beat Cincy next week

Five days deep into Syracuse stories, I don’t think that defense has seen an offense’s like WVU’s. Yes, the Orange stop the run and have a nice front seven, but the secondary is really questionable and you know the Mountaineers are going to pass to run. As for the Bulls and the Bearcats …

Alli said:

I advise any and all Bearcats to leave their Yankee hats at home this weekend.

It would be one of USF’s greatest wins ever, though.

Jeff in Akron said:

The drive WVU had to end the 3rd, and start the 4th will define this year’s football team, in my opinion.

The team found a lot of answers on that drive. The o-line can run block. Devine can run the ball when everyone in the stadium knows he’s going to. Clarke is a solid fullback who needs a couple more touches per game.

WVU was pressing in the first three games, and the first half of the Colorado game. Hence all of the turnovers, young teams do that. Watching them, I kept getting the feeling they believed they couldn’t score, or win, unless JB threw for 300 yards. They just need JB to complete passes, and manage the game effectively.

Oll Stew’s decision to give Devine the ball allowed the o-line to say [forget] them, let’s go pound the rock. In so doing, the team found it’s identity. WVU became a very fast team, full of playmakers, with an o-line that has attitude.

I will agree and disagree. First, yes, it was a statment and, if nothing else, it gave some confidence and credence to the line and the run game. It could very well define the season, but maybe not for the reason we assume. What if everyone is too influenced by that drive and they get away form the things that had been working so well? That could be problematic. I strongly doubt WVU flips its pass-run ratio. Also, they need J.B. to wing it to win. That doesn’t mean 40 times per game — though they’d gladly do it if that’s what they thought they needed — but just enough to currupt a defense that will still face the Mountaineers intent on containing Devine. To that, WVU will see worse defensive line’s than Colorado’s … but not more than two of them.

oklahoma mountaineer said:

Don’t let the Colorado D-line define the total assessment of our O-Line. They really aren’t very good on the line either way. Our guys did have their way with them, but they have been showing improvement from the initial game forward.

BALL SECURITY is issue number one that must be solved.

Exactly. Colorado traveled with nine defensive linemen. Nine. That usually means the difference between Nos. 1-9 isn’t that great. That’s usually not a good thing. 

Dave said:

What’s the assessment of Mullen this year, 1/3 of the way in?

I think that he’s done a phenom job and while there is still work to be done, I’d rather have to see them learn to hold onto the ball rather than run the “Groundhog Day” offense that RR ran against Pitt and USF, or the reined-in offense that was displayed most of the year.

What high school kid wouldn’t look at this and think this is tought to defend and a lot of fun to play?

You’d have to say he’s better, right? At the very least, do you feel more confident the offense will score when it has the ball this season? That’s a sign of progress, though it’s not nevessarily a reflection of Mullen. He probably gets too much credit when it’s good and too much crap when it’s bad. For example, he said he called basically the same plays against ECU last year that he did this year. WVU won this year, lost last year. Was he better this year? How could he be if the plays were the same? What he has is more continuity on the staff and in the huddles and everyone understands a little better this season. I will say this, though. He’s dialed up some really nice calls at really good times and that’s the sign of a guy getting a feel for his job.  

thacker said:

Have never given Stewart’s persona much thought or concern, whatsoever.

The moment so far this season that has brought the biggest smile to me, personally, was within last Thursday’s ESPN broadcast … of Blaine (standing there mesmerized by Erin Andrews), how he has grown physically, standing beside his proud dad who has also grown … and continues to grow into his position. That scene spoke volumes without having to, literally, speak a word. That is life at one of its bests. That is collegiate athletics.

So glad you mentioned this. That’s interation and the look on Blaine’s face, as well as Billy’s, is one of my favorite moments of the Stewart regime. On Blaine’s list of perks for having a father who’s the head coach of a major football program, that has to be at the top, yes?

JJ said:

If you go over to the TNIAAM site, be sure to check out the Octonion.

I endorse this.

rekterx said:

If the turnovers continue and Stew is asked about them he just needs to say, “Yes. I saw them too. Next question.”

Selfishly, I hope they do for this very reason. No one wants to talk about it, yet it has to be talked and written about. It always produces some tense and awkward moments. If Stewart continues to come up with clever ways to address it, I’m all for it. We’re a four-turnover Saturday away from a “Hitler reacts to WVU’s turnovers” videos popping up on YouTube. I can’t promise it won’t be mine.

Ben said:

The turnover explanation may become what was “Execute in all 3 phases” was to the Product. Maybe Coach Stew can reference a Disney movie in there somewhere next time.

Personally, I always thought special teams got the shaft in that tired “all three phases” defense. Also, I’m not sure whether to be pleased or disappointed Disney movies were brought into the ring … but it’s in, so let’s tackle it. What movie are we going to accurately cite?

overtheSEC said:

Free throw shooting contest featuring former Mountaineers? Unless Chris Brooks is among the former Mountaineers participating, this does not look good for the current team.

I know who won’t be there. WVU’s career leader in free throw percentage.

roopoo said:

The black unis presumably won’t be the full time uniforms…only for ’special’ games.

Road games. I believe they’ll have white and gold sets for home games and black and blue for the road.

EER96 said:

Ok Mike. I’ll bite…Black uniforms? I guess the next thing you are going to tell us is that Gale is going to be the special guest referee for the free throw shooting contest and he will be sporting his famous leather sport jacket. Folks, that leather sports jacket was fashion! Additionally, is there ANY truth to the rumor that both the Gale Catlett leather sports jacket and the Bob Huggins all gold suit will be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame next fall? If not, perhaps they could be displayed in the lobby of the new basketball practice facility – those items would really impress recruits!!

OK, I know two people who won’t be there. Add Gale to the list, as well.

glibglub said:

Additionally, is there ANY truth to the rumor that both the Gale Catlett leather sports jacket and the Bob Huggins all gold suit will be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame next fall?

If that happens, it just might be the best thing that has ever happened anywhere.

Agreed, 100 percent. I’m not sure I could control myself in print. My fingers would hate me if it happened.

Jason Potts said:

I know that other team’s can see the play on film and break it down, but didn’t we give undue extra attention to a play that has been working.

P.S. I really like the texts from the game. It is such a unique way to see the flow of emotions/excitement throughout the game

Define “we.” I assume you mean the players and coaches. I found it fascinating, to be honest, and the sort of thing that should be highlighted. I think and hope opposing coaches are quicker to identify these things.

P.S. Thanks.

StraightOuttaNorthCentral said:

Yes, they did give undue extra attention to a play that has been working. But I can’t imagine that they would have been so forthcoming with information about it if there wasn’t another variation on the theme that they plan to roll out at some point.

I really like this offense. I can’t wait to see it really work for a whole game.

Ah, “they.” There we/they/you go. There are no secrets in that story that aren’t on film, I assure you. Well, apart from J.B.’s revelation he thought Noel was going to get smoked the first few times they ran it.

overtheSEC said:

Mike, I just read the article, watched the video, then reread and rewatched the post and video from 8/24 with his soph highlights. It’s so encouraging to see the scheme change to fit our strengths. Like you noted on 8/24, the sideline tackles Devine more than anyone else and it seems like the closer he is to the hashmarks when downfield, the more likely the play will continue. It sounds like from your interviews that the offensive staff works really great together on their individual units but can you tell us, is Mullen the one who drew this one up on the chalkboard?

Yeah, he’s a talent. I’m running low on ways to capture it, but I could spend quite some time trying to do so justly. As for the play, I never asked that question, but I’d have to guess it was Beatty because he’s the running backs guy, but Beatty said Mullen was good at “sprinkling in” some quirks in the offense. My guess is it was a conglomerate effort.

EER96 said:

Mike-

I din’t realize that you were a native of Manassas, VA. Now that you hit the big time, I was wondering if there was anything you could do about the abyssmal traffic direction at the end of concerts at the Nissan Pavillion. It is so bad, I think maybe even the federal government could do a better job of managing it!

Oh, I hope the soccer team wins! As for your prop, how about a notepad, pencil, and a suitcase? (That is if it hasn’t been lost at the airport again!)

Not a native, but close enough. Can’t help you on the NP problem. I’m not sure the fed could screw it up any worse, that’s for sure. I know people who are from far away who go to concerts there and are blown away by how miserable the exit is. I also know people from there who now go far away for concerts. Also, I’m glad you mentioned the notepad and pencil — could have done without the suitcase! — and will bring it up at our next meeting.

Bill said:

Ummmm. I don’t know what to make of this. Yes, I am impressed that Devine showed the leadership to say “give me the ball” but I don’t think that a head coach should need to taking coaching advice from one of his players. Stew should have figured out this strategy on his own!!!!!!!!!! I’ll bet many of us fans out there were saying the same thing while watching this on TV – “RUN THE _____ BALL” !!!

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, WVU’s sports information people come around and ask for names of people we’d like to speak with afterward. Why couldn’t this work at halftime? Late in the second quarter send some G.A., redshirt or walkon to a predetermined section of the stadium and solicit suggestions for the second half. Pass it through a filter system of other nonessential players and support staff and get it to Stewart as he leaves the field for halftime.

gordo said:

Bill,

This wasn’t a case of a player telling a coach how to do his job. Noel was just asking for the ball, ala “Jimmy” from the movie “Hoosiers”.

This doesn’t mean that the coach is an idiot or doesn’t know what he is doing. I really don’t agree with the insinuations (from some fans in general) that Bill Stewart doesn’t know football any better than Joe Schmo sitting on his couch eating Cheetos. He’s not the greatest coach I’ve ever seen in my life, but I think he’s got more football knowledge in his combed eyebrows than most of the rest of us do in our whole bodies.

Exactly. Stewart trusts his players. I don’t see a problem with that. Also, Noel is really something else. One, he doesn’t do a lot of that stuff, so when it happens, you probably pay closer attention. Secondly, he has a way of disarming you and being thoughtful and influential. He was the right man for the job there.

Jeff in Akron said:

Imagine “straining” for three quarters to keep up with WVU’s speed. Then boom, WVU goes to power football. Keep in mind, this isn’t Woody Hayes’ power football. The proverbial cloud of dust generated isn’t from the tackle. It’s from Noel Devine accelerating through the hole.

To me, Devine going to Oll Stew and asking for the ball is HUGE. Add to that, Oll Stew gave it to him, and Devine (along with the o-line) delivered. Impressive is all I can come up with, it just doesn’t seem to do justice.

I’ve got a word for it …

Doug Marrone said:

Jeff, from an adjective standpoint, it’s tremendous.

Enjoy the weekend!