Welcome to a smash-and-grab edition of the Friday Feedback. It was an abbreviated week for factors beyond my control, but I insist on a Feedback before I go sit in an airport for several hours … and then sit on a runway for several more.

Briefly about tomorrow’s game, for which I invite texts from game day for Texts from Game Day. This looks like a fairly even contest, but a few things stand out about Rutgers: Receiver Tim Brown isn’t healthy, Tom Savage is a true freshman quarterback who’s never seen the 3-3-5 and that’s been a bad combo through the years, the Mountaineers know the Wildcat offense because it’s a variation of their own, WVU’s defense looks healthy and hungry and quarterback Jarrett Brown has Rutgers’ number.

X-factor? There exists a thought the Mountaineers have nothing to gain with a win and nothing to lose with a loss and they’re in the Gator Bowl no matter what. Rutgers, meanwhile, has a lot to gain, including bowl position, but also the banishment of that 14-year losing streak to WVU. Emotion, energy and early offense will be big for a noon kickoff.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, hide your noodles.

Alli said:

There are so many reasons to not like this. Sure it’s a great story, but who wants to play in a New Years Day bowl against a 6-6 team. Also, if Pitt beats Cincy, does this mess everything up? I can’t imagine the BCS will take two Big East teams. The Gator Bowl isn’t going to match a 1 loss Cincy team with FSU, right? Can you imagine how horrible that would be. I assume then that Cincy would face Clemson (which would still be a horrible reward for Cincy’s season).

Ugh. I just hope we beat Rutgers

The Big East will only get one BCS team and it appears there’s a very good chance 11-1 Cincinnati wouldn’t make the Gator Bowl now that the ACC admits the Gator contract allows the Gator to claim the Seminoles. That’s a strong WVU magnet, I think. Such a weird ordeal and, as mentioned, I’m not even sure it’s a very intriguing game. Alli, I’m not insinuating you’re insinuating this — in fact, I don’t think you are, but I’ll just put this here — but it’s odd to me to see WVU fans upset about playing a team not worthy of the game when WVUs’ spot is somewhat suspect. I even think the story is somewhat tired. It’ll surely be beaten into the ground by kickoff. The most meaningful part of the game, as far as most of the audience cares, will be when Stewart strides from his sideline toward Bowden marching from his and they shake hands. (Yawn)

Dave said:

I really don’t care for this “setup” game. WVU has nothing to win by playing a team who probably shouldn’t be there, but with a lot of reason to go all out, not only in an emotional sense but against convention with nothing to lose. At least when we played UConn, they still had to consider the season, jobs, etc. This could hinge on Madden-type play.

Not to mention that I don’t want to hear the upcoming hype and the circus that will surround the game.

Maybe I should just be happy that “old Mardy Gilyard” isn’t playing against us.

Right, there’s something we haven’t discussed. Do WVU fans really like this matchup? I suppose so, but it’s not the same as what another opponent might generate. The WVU-FSU thing was done a few years ago and this time WVU is just an accomplice to the occasion.

EER96 said:

I really hope this DOESN’T happen. I don’t know if I could take Bill Stewart heaping praise upon Bobby Bowden for the next month. Can you just imagine Bill AFTER the game a midfield with Bowden? I certainly hope the network censors are working New Year’s Day because the two of them will probably need a hotel room! The way Stewart practically “gropes” the opposing coach after every game is ridiculous. Butch Davis couldn’t get away from him fast enough after last year’s game in Charlotte!

Mike – Does Bowden’s retirement finally mean we will no longer be subjected to the 95 year old Florida State Trooper that has been on the sideline with Bowden since I was still wearing diapers? If anyone deserves a retirement, it is that man! God bless both of them.

Underrated subplot: Kindest coach. Vegas won’t touch that one! Glad you mentioned the elderly guard. I’ll add that to my story list.

Birch said:

I totally agree on VT. I’d much MUCH rather have that game. But if we can’t play them, then I’m all for the Billy Bobby Bowl. Can you imagine the whimsical folkiness of those press conferences? We’re talking Andy Griffith meets Foghorn Leghorn epic.

I foresee a separate blog post about this.

Dave said:

Billy Bobby Bowl – classic.

“Ok, you little rascal, you line up over here. And ya ol’ polecat, you line up over here.”

“And on defense, fly to the ball and knock that sucker down.”

And in a fitting ending, Florida State loses on a kick that sails wide left.

Don’t spoil it!

JP said:

Would Tony Caridi play Opie? “Gosh pa, tell us about them kickoffs.”

… moving on …

Karl said:

The Bobby Bowl would probably get more exposure than any non-BCS game. VT would be a great matchup for the fans. Either way, looks like we’re getting a memorable bowl this year. Two great options.

How angry would you be, though, if you were a fan of an 11-1 Cincy and saw your team drop down to the Muffler bowl because of WVU? Suddenly, we’re wearing that Notre Dame priveleged bad guy hat.

Glad you made that final point. It must be said because it might be true. If this happens to Cincinnati and Kelly goes to Notre Dame, I will feel worse for the Bearcats than any other team in the country. Maybe ever.

Sam said:

If there’s only one thing I’d change about this team, it’d be the players emulation of Huggins when it comes to whining at the officials. That ought to remain Huggins’s job. The players are going to turn referees against them if they keep this up.

To be clear, I don’t think Huggins condones this. In fact, I know because I heard him admonish a player for it. The best part about the tournament was how quiet it was and how easily I could hear things.

ccteam said:

I see only two vulnerabilities on this team. Back up point guard is a question mark because of Mazzulla’s health, and a big man with offensive skills may be able to score on them. They seemed to get themselves in trouble against the press on occasion in the 76 Tournament, but I think they can work that out. I agree they do complain a bit much on calls that go against them. But, overall, this looks like it could be a very enjoyable basketball season.

Common concerns and it’ll take time to address those. Joe won’t be Joe and I think that’s fairly clear, but I think with time he’ll become a different player and be effective. He won’t play 30 minutes. He won’t score 18 points. He will guard. He will push the ball. He will keep things in order. WVU doesn’t need a big man to score, but just needs to get the ball in the post to Butler, Ebanks or Jones. Those are easy scores and they can score there.

SheikYbuti said:

That game against Texas A&M, nothwithstanding that I viewed it through the prism of what the telecast director chose to show, appeared to be one of the chippiest in recent memory. I have the distinct feeling that Turgeon’s team was probably the second best one in the entire tournament, and that by the time the NCAA seedings are determined, WVU’s win will look very good indeed.

Oh, no, it was competitive and fierce and I do believe Ebanks’ second steal was a product of the same player not liking the first theft and wanting to atone for it. That was good for WVU early on and it probably helped a good bit in the title game after that awful start. Not coincidentally, WVU is No. 1 in the latest RPI.

Sam said:

The other problem will be incorporating the younger players as we get further in the season. In a blowout against Portland, I’m not sure Jennings saw any playing time. And will Kzcilcililckiliszcki even get on the floor in the midst of the Big East campaign?

It’s only going to be an eight- or nine-person rotation. Truck, Mitchell, Butler, Ebanks, Smith, Jones, Flowers and Mazzulla are locks. That’s eight. Realistically, WVU doesn’t need major contributions from the others. Part of the process, though, is building on good things and Pepper and Jennings and even Jonnie West have had largely positive runs so far. Also, I do believe Kilicli will get a chance when he gets back. He’s good. Watch him in Saturday’s exhibition.

oklahomamountaineer said:

They are really fun to watch; they will have problems with experienced, talented height and power in the box, but there aren’t many/any with that combo. The big problem, as I see it, is that they aren’t the focused group that our Elite 8 team was a few years ago. Belein’s teams got you down, stepped on you, and did their best to not let you up.

This team seems to play hard, then coast, which can let teams back in……saw that against A&M the other night. We have them down by 20 and think the final score was an 8 point win. I know we are playing a lot of people, but smart teams work the ball for a “best shot”, back it out to run clock, etc., when they are up and end the game. We aren’t doing that yet….

The point is the crucial piece; Truck seems to be a shooting guard trapped in a point guard’s body…maybe good for the street or the League, but not as good as Joe in running the game.

All that said…..this team has the ability to go long, long way in the Big East race and the tournament. Sporting News have them projected as a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Going to be a number of great days to be Mountaineers, whereever you are through this basketball season.

I hope we’re not missing the point about this team. They are aggressive and they are kind of cocky, but, man, are they entertaining. And given how hard they work, I don’t even have a problem with their approach and how they enjoy their success. I’m not sure when or why that became a bad practice. There’s a lot of skill involved in what they do offensively and defensively and they do play pretty well together for this early in the season. They’ll learn to put teams away and, to be fair, they’ve juggled their lineups some to give guys playing time and to rest others. That’s been a factor. As for Truck, he’s been thus far devoted to facilitating the offense and picking his spots for shots — mostly on the break or when the offense is failing and against the shot clock. He’s been solid so far. Whether he can keep it up and progress is worth watching.

Jeff in Akron said:

What got me was Huggins intensity during time outs against Portland. We were up 18 points and he’s pointing his finger, and getting all red faced about the teams overall play. Something tells me the team will get the message, Huggins will make sure.

The thing that sets this team apart is the raw talent. As the season progresses there will be four, and even five offensive options on any given play. The frustration opposing teams seemed to show in the 76 Classic will only increase. Truck made numerous driving runners as the shot clock wound down. Additionally, Butler, and Jones did the same with some three’s. Teams can play great defense against us for 22 seconds, and it still isn’t enough. That is the definition of frustration to opposing teams.

WVU also rebounds very well. When those off shooting nights come, defense and rebounding will win it, or keep it close until the hot hand emerges. That hot hand has the potential to surface from numerous players. The list will get longer as the the season progresses. Time to sit back and enjoy!

I think Huggins knows this can be a great team, but he doesn’t understand why his team can’t be that team right now. It’s had some lulls this season and that’s unacceptable to him. Spot on with the other assessments, particularly the talent. They’re able to guard and score and rebound, sometimes when it might not seem possible, because they’re so long and quick and aggressive.

roopoo said:

If Philly had a college team Rendell would speak at their pre game.

Wait…I thought. Oh, I get it.

glibglub said:

Roopoo’s looking at you, Temple.

Zing!

philip said:

all work and no play makes joe a dull boy. i like that he imparted the sense of importance the team has for the state. (why else would we be on this blog every day?) (well, aside from mr. casazza’s piquant prose.)

I understand why people might be bugged by the way Manchin spends his time, but I’m OK with this. He was in the area and he obviously has a very vested interest in the team and the athletic department (he’s friends with Eddie!). People have every right to demand more and better of public officials, but I kind of like this. Thought it was a nice touch from a guy we haven’t seen around too often. 

ccteam said:

I am genrally a Stew supporter, but his decisions to pass on field goals and go for improbable 4th down conversions have been questionable in both the UC and Pitt games. His explanations after the fact have been even more baffling. 

I don’t think any football situation lends itself to more questioning and criticism than fourth down decisions. You can argue either way in any instance and do so in a way no decision can be properly defended or explained. I love fourth down decisions.

oklahomamountaineer said:

I think the better history to discuss, which Oll Stewart left out, was the fact that the defense really was not stopping people until it got itself healed up. He was thinking he was going to be in a shootout and needed all the points he could.

I didn’t agree with not taking the points one the short field goal, but it worked out in the end….

I remain curious about the decisions against USF and Cincinnati because I don’t know why or when Stewart decided he wouldn’t rely on his kicking game and defense to win games. If the defense is hurting — and we can agree it was — might it not need the points? See what I mean about arguing either side?  

gordo said:

I wouldn’t call those 4th downs conversions improbable. The first one (4th and goal from the 1) was actually a good decision. It was just a horrible play call. People would’ve thrown him under the bus if he decided to kick the FG in that situation.
The other 4th down wasn’t that crazy either. It would’ve been a 45 yarder field goal, which is right at the edge of Bitancurt’s range. We actually went for that same 4th down converstion earlier in the season, except I think it was 4th and 10 and we converted it.
And for what its worth…..I love his explanations. Its actually what I like most about Stewart. People think he’s an idiot, but he apparently knows more history than all of us combined!!

I loved the idea on the first one and was even OK with the play call, though I would have liked to see JB on the move after the play-action. The second one was curious because Stewart opted for a 37-yard field goal a while earlier and Bitancurt had the leg. It just seemed disjointed to me, but I understood the idea in not pushing Bitancurt’s distance. In the end, the justification of playing to win was reasonable.

ccteam said:

4th and 2 at the goal line is a bad call and improbable. Would have been better to take the lead early in the game. The other one in the Pitt game was a toss up. It would have been a difficult fg. The decision to go on 4th and 8 against UC was also very questionable. Stew’s own justification was that he thought he would need two scores. If so, then take the 40 yd fg. Much more likely to get it than a 4th and 8. Again, I am a Stew backer, just saying I disagree with his decisions on those plays.

OK, so we agree there’s reasons to go and to kick in both instances and Stewart’s explanations are understandable, if not debatable. The only thing that didn’t add up to me was this: If he was worried about not getting points early against Pitt and wanted to avoid the 2007 scenario, then I’d argue you might have to kick it to get points in one of those instances. See? I love fourth down decisions.

StraightOuttaNorthCentral said:

I gotta give Oll Stew this: there has never been a head coach, ever, in the history of college football who says anything like what he says. He really is completely unique and original. I’m not saying it’s a good thing or a bad thing. Just that no one can ever accuse him of using coach-speak.

I can’t argue with that. At all. Also, thanks to those of you who texted me and said Stewart claimed in the postgame he was the only coach running the trap play today. I believe he was kidding.

EER96 said:

Dind’t we have to save the French in WWI? 

Irrelevant!

p.i. reed said:

Never leave your homme de wing.

Enjoy the … wha?

The 25314 said:

(ask me about Ferdinand Foch…Foch)

Enjoy the weekend!