And by deep, I mean 36 inches deep. Most running backs stand seven yards behind their quarterback when in the I-formation. By now, though, we know Noel is not like most running backs.

“We moved him back an extra yard so he can see a lot broader and use his peripheral vision,” WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty said.

Most backs line up 7 yards behind the quarterback in the I-formation. Devine is a yard deeper to allow him to see that much more of the field and to allow him to use his eyes to use his feet.

What WVU also found, though, was quite unexpected, but quite welcome.

“It’s slowed him down a little bit,” Beatty said. “The farther you are from those blocks, the easier it is to see them.

Just a few other notes to send you on your way:

– Jarrett Brown was cleared to play last week. He’s clear this week. There is a difference.

Did it affect you at all in the UConn game?

JB: I did feel like my normal self out there, but when I watched the film, I didn’t look like myself.

So you think it affected your performance?

JB: I thought it did, yeah.

How are you feeling this week?

JB: I feel better already. I’m just reacting now. I’m just thinking more clearly.

– Former USF coordinators attemptto explain why USF has done the USF thing the past few seasons. Spoiler: It’s quite honest.

– And on the other side is a team that’s actually pretty good in the second half.

– This was one of those things I thought I saw, but wasn’t relly sure if I saw it properly: Eric Jobe and Joey Madsen are rotating center and right guard sometimes within the same drive.

– An array of sublpots to keep an eye on: Whose blitzes are better? … Heat/humidity/cramps … Limber and nimble trainers … B.J. Daniels throwing to the right team vs. B.J. Daniels throwing to the wrong team … WVU’s pre-snap motion on offense vs. WVU’s pre-snap motion on defense … How and how often the Mountaineers use draws, bootlegs and MIDDLE SCREENS! … USF kicking game and how the weak state thereof affects the game … Haymakers, trickplays, foot-on-throat moments … First drives of the third quarter.