Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which is checking the barometer and the thermometer. Earlier in the week we broke news here about how the fate of the West Virginia season often hinges on what happens against Maryland. No doubt, there’s some correlation, and even this season it might be hard for a 1-2 WVU to find five more wins inside the Big 12.

But never mind the pressure. How about the temperature? More than the opener and certainly more than last week’s walkthrough, this game is the greatest indicator (so far) about how far the Mountaineers have come and whether they’re worthy of a change in optimism. Last season’s game was awful, except that it forced WVU to sit down and take inventory and then make some changes.

Actually, “some changes” isn’t accurate. Remember this? The two most notable alterations there are Clint Trickett at quarterback and Quinton Spain at left guard — and probably Marquis Lucas moving from guard to tackle, where it seems he belongs. From there, the Mountaineers focused on and avoided certain tactics and topics on offense, realizing they were not who they thought they were. “…if you look back on it, I think that was really who we were at that point last year. We weren’t very good and I don’t know if there was much we could have done differently,” Shannon Dawson said.

Oof.

But times and teams change — Maryland’s striking continuity notwithstanding — and these Mountaineers have never wavered on a basic, yet bold point: They believe they’re better at every position. You’ve heard it so often that you accept it as the truth, but we’ll see, and sooner rather than later. I think you’ll feel definitively convinced or skeptical Saturday afternoon because this game is a landmark of sorts for a WVU team that was left with no choice but to blame and change itself the last time these two met.

“The way I called plays last year, the way we game-planned last year, we’re not doing the same things,” Holgorsen said. “We’re a different team, and we’re able to do different things. We’re able to call plays differently. You can just look at the tape over the last two weeks and see that it’s a little bit different than what it’s been in the past.”

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, take a look in the mirror.

Karl said:

It was necessity that we burn that redshirt. This kid has to get some playing snaps this year, or next season we’re in a position where our starting QB is the JUCO (who I read stinks), an inexperienced redshirt freshman in Crest, or two true freshman — assuming they stay committed.

Question, Mike — I was surprised to see Crest wrapping his arms around Holgorsen on the sideline like that. That’s a true freshman getting awfully comfortable. Do you have any sense on whether Dana is OK with/encourages that? I can’t remember seeing him get so personal with his players in an ordinary game situation.

What I actually DMd to a colleague that was later sent by my hip in an unfortunately edited version was that relying on a juco QB this season stinks. If Howard ultimately stinks, I promise I’m not going to take credit for that. Anyhow, yeah, I noticed that and thought about including it in the G&B. If you watch it, it seems like it catches Dana off guard, and then Dana goes right into a critique so his freshman doesn’t get too cozy. That said, I’ve always thought watching those two interact that Dana personally likes Crest, and vice versa. 

Dann White said:

I’m torn for the first time in years. I hardly slept last night, mulling over the greater dilemma we now face; is it “WV” Crest or is it “Crest Virginia”?

When we face the fact that no matter what happens to Paul Millard’s eligibility, Crest is most assuredly the heir apparent at WVU. Chugunov may be awe-inspiring, we may snatch up the recently dis-recruited David Sills, but Crest is the man. No doubt about it.

Just the way this kid looks in his uniform, his apparent lack of fear in his first snaps, and the way he shrugged off his first fumble and kept his head, has me thinking that we are MAYBE looking at the reincarnation of Jarrett Brown or ….dare I say it???? Major Harris or Pat White.

Before you call the white coats to come pick me up, consider this: None of the above looked that poised, that competent in their first appearance. None of the above ever set foot on the field in a real game in their freshman year. I don’t remember seeing anything close to this in my Mountaineer memory-bank with the sole exception of Eugene Smith’s sudden call to relieve an injured Jarrett Brown. He too, stepped in like a man.

That kind of poise is reserved for the elite of first-year college athletes and our man Crest has got it – no doubt about it!!
Now, should that be “Crest Virginia” or “WV” Cr——??????????????

Personally, I like W.V. Crest because it was born here. Crest Virginia is going to get a lot of burn, which is fine, but I always like originality. 

DanInNJ said:

Let me add a third wrinkle to this – Coach Holgorsen was standing around at practice towards the end of the summer watching Trickett takes reps and suddenly thought – “Huh, what if his arm doesn’t hold up or he gets hurt.” Holgorsen then turns around and looks at Howard (who stinks, I’ve read as well), Millard (who knows the offense but is limited) and Crest.
Then the question becomes – if Trickett gets hurt, do I risk stalling the offense out with two of the three choices I have because I want to save Crest’s redshirt or do I want the second-best option out there and that would require getting him game reps when possible so he’s got a feel for game time?
I have a feeling this has less to do with getting a raw but very talented freshman on the field to run plays during specific scenarios and more to do with wanting a better option to Trickett should he get injured.

Plausible, especially as it relates to Trickett and the concerns WVU has about his size, durability and compulsion to run with the ball. But WVU is doing a lot with the zone read, and that’s not because of Trickett. Is it because they want Crest to have something to do IF he needs to play? Perhaps. But Dana’s talking like he wants to have a package of plays for Crest every week. That’s not In Case of Emergency stuff.

EersNC said:

If Crest is the real deal, he starts for WVU in 2015, 2016, and 2017 (maybe not the last if he’s THAT good). Millard redshirts for 2014 and plays the role of very capable backup in 2015 while Sills and Chugunov redshirt, with Howard the emergency QB. Sills and/or Chugunov backup Crest in 2016 and 2017, with one winning the starting job for two years starting in 2018 (or three years starting in 2017, again, if Crest is THAT good).

Sure, Winston and Johnny Football redshirted. Each will have played two years for their teams before departing for the NFL. Major redshirted then played for three years. Pat White redshirted then played for four, but White wasn’t going to depart early to play QB in the NFL.

The point here is, if Crest is THAT good, losing him for 2018 due to “burning” the redshirt this year is nonsensical. He wouldn’t be here in 2018 anyway.

I don’t call it burning a redshirt, for the record. I think you “burn” redshirts for a play or a series or in the 11th or 12th game. And I won’t argue the last part with you, but the reality is that’s what happened. Also, are we all convinced Paul Millard is hanging around to back up for a fifth straight season? He’s married. He’ll have graduated (and I think have a master’s degree, too … but don’t quote me) and he has a life and a career he’ll want to get on with eventually. I don’t think that’s a guarantee. 

SheikYbuti said:

Unless he’s *really* like Pat White (to whose comportment and moves I thought I saw more than a passing resemblance from Crest), in which case PW 2.0 is not departing early to play QB in the NFL, either.

I need to see more to draw that comparison, but the mechanics are not dissimilar.

Grumpy said:

I’d take PW 2.0. I don’t think he is that however. I think he will be more of a Major 2.0 which I’m also good with.

The gallop is not dissimilar. Comparisons are fun and frustrating. I can see some Jarrett Brown, but J.B. was a pretty special athlete. It’s not unfair to either one, though. There are one or two others I like and I’m keeping under my hat for now, but I’ll throw this one out there: Tajh Boyd. It’s not crazy.

Brother X said:

Make Crest a weapon…give him some appreciable PT without risking the continuity of the offense…defensive coaches have to prepare for 2 QB’s instead of one and end up caught off guard one some level in a way that benefits a surprsing/big victory?

That’s where my head went. And I can’t help but think it’s all tied to that night game looming on 9/20…

So glad someone said this. WVU has something in Crest. That’s clear. Why not use it?

JC said:

BTW, if he lines up in the diamond….watch out!!!

It wouldn’t be hard for him to do.

Mr M said:

The “crested Mountaineers.” Very good. Now we can have two distinct qb packages … perhaps terming the original the “tricky Mountaineers.”

Felt good when it left my hand.

I love you, Doug! said:

I thought “vintage Buie” was him running into a tackle or getting blown up by a blindside.

I think that’s just “Buie.” There was a time he was a capable, physical runner, and we saw a flashback to that.

Shoot4Show said:

Don’t ever run a QB draw with Clint again. I’m in the “burn the red shirt” club, but we don’t need to get pasted because we’re forced to start a true freshman or a kid (bless his heart) who has to throw the ball on an arc when he spikes the ball to kill the clock.

Yeah, but if they’re going to fan out to defend the pass and vacate the middle, you just have to take that. 

Brandon said:

Holgo all but said in his halftime interview he called the draw to get it on tape. Jed asked him about it and his was response was something like “yeah we can’t let them empty the box like that, that’s an easy touchdown for us.” So between that and Crest the Terps have a lot to prepare for in the red zone.

Exactly. And WVU needs all the help it can get in the red zone so far.

WVU’S OFFENSE HAS been inside the opponent’s 6-yard line eight times in two games — twice against Alabama and six times against Towson — and has four touchdowns, three field goals and a turnover on downs.

Running backs have carried 10 times in 17 snaps inside the 6 for 10 yards and two touchdowns. The Mountaineers ran twice inside the 6 against Alabama and settled for two field goals and then ran eight times in six possessions inside the 6 against Towson. The backs scored twice and quarterback Clint Trickett threw one touchdown pass and ran for another.

The Mountaineers are still figuring out whether to give the ball to Wendell Smallwood or Rushel Shell near the goal line. Both had short touchdown runs and both came up short against the Tigers.

“If you had a preference, you’d like it to be Rushel,” running backs coach JaJuan Seider said of Shell, who at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds is an inch taller and 15 pounds heavier than Smallwood.

“The thing about Wendell nobody gives him credit for is how hard he runs. He sticks his foot in the ground and he goes forward. Some of the biggest runs he had against Alabama, he didn’t have a lot of yards, but when it was third-and-short, he ran and stuck it up in there and moved the pile two or three yards.”

Bobby Heenan said:

Love the committ!

This is the kind of guy Huggs loves and fits into Huggs man to man D – switch on everyone without compromise. Rebound and win with length and versatility.

Agreed. Lots of pub for his offense — I’ll be surprised if he shoots 25 3-pointers in his time at WVU — but what he does with his defensive versatility is just as promising. 

Josh24601 said:

/unwraps Jimmy Johns Vito

Recruiting is hard, man. It’s hard.

/wipes brow with beach towel; falls asleep

Everhart gets a lot of credit for this one, too. His previous coup was Dibo.

Mr M said:

Interesting to see Huggs interviewed on the sideline of Saturday’s game by Wolfley. Sounds like he expects more of an inside scoring game this season, and feels his recruits will be stronger than those in previous years. And he talked about his new wine business, so sorry Dann — there’s the loophole in your law: Huggs and alcohol; always in season!

Did you say stronger?

Early morning conditioning with the guys. Don’t sleep #OTF

pic.twitter.com/Nc3h5Pu1AZ

— Juwan Staten (@JuwanStaten3) September 11, 2014

Oklahoma Mountaineer said:

Maryland may well have found the ugliest “special game” uniforms for the WVU game for them…….ever……..and that’s saying a lot.

To me, if you can’t tell what team is on the field, are you still a football team that matters or a football sideshow where people came to see what ugly you will wear next.

To me, comparing Oregon’s multiple looks with Maryland’s multiple looks is like comparing a Tesla Model S to a Chevy Volt. Both are electric cars, but the comparison stops there…..

Outstanding. I kind of liked the stuff Maryland did with the flag uniforms. These? Nope. Nope.

Drew said:

Oregon’s uniforms are usually great.

They are not even comparable with anything Maryland has done. Maryland is a cheap imitation.

To put it in Maryland terms, Oregon’s uniforms are real, authentic crab cakes. Maryland’s are “crab” cakes made with imitation crab.

Electric cars and crab cakes. That’s what this blog does. 

smeer said:

word has it than when the national anthem is played on Saturday, the Maryland players will turn and salute one another

Oh?

I love you, Doug! said:

I still think the “5″ on WVU’s unis looks like an upside-down backward “2.”

I hate those digits because I can’t discern from the press box. And WVU is trolling us now because it’s using that same font on its sometimes-functional scoreboard.

Mack said:

Anyone who reads me on here would probably agree that I’m not a homer when I put my Mackstradamus hat on, and I think WVU wins by 10 or more.

I watched the game last year from a bar and personally died over the course of the game as it went about as badly as any WVU game I can remember. A few days later, I fired up my Xbox 360 and rewatched the game on the ESPN app. If anyone ever watched that game again, I think you would come to the conclusion that the 38-0 score was indicated of nothing other than how horrible Ford Childress played at quarterback.

Almost all of Maryland’s points can be attributed to Childress giving the ball away. The “0″ on the WVU side of the ledger can also be attributed to Childress. I am not exaggerating when I say it is the worst performance in my lifetime by a WVU quarterback.

So, assuming we get better quarterback play this year… everything changes. The real concern I have with WVU is the defense. To that, I point out that they are going against a Randy Edsall-coached team. Edsall typically slows down his own offense regardless of who is on the other side, which quells that concern of mine at least for this game. I’ve always said: “Some coaches play to win. Some coaches play not to lose. Randy Edsall plays to lose the game by 2 points.” It’s truly amazing to watch his coaching strategy.

Going back further into my memory, WVU barely beat Maryland in Holgorsen’s first two years. Even in those years, Maryland had the clearly superior team in the trenches. I suspect that that won’t be the case this year, but we will see.

I can’t help but think WVU comes out with something to prove because 1) WVU thinks it is a lot better this year and this will be the first game where they can really show a difference in the W/L column, 2) revenge factor, 3) it knows that it needs this game to finish the season with a winning record.

/flies to Las Vegas

… but seriously, the disparity between the lines isn’t as dramatic as it has been. That’s a significant point to raise and to monitor. That, and, you know, Trickett doesn’t have a torn pec. I know last year was a nightmare, but the offense had no chance … and speaking of Millard, Dana didn’t even go to him in that game while Childress was having a meltdown (no one knew he was hurt). That’s how bad the QB position was last season. The line and the signal caller are upgraded enough to sell the stock you have in last year’s score.  

chocolate covered bacon said:

This is the game we find out whether our defense is for real. It may seem like I keep beating that dead horse, but without a strong defensive showing WVU doesn’t win this game.

The offense will do fine and may struggle at times, at the end of the day HCDH and his offense will score enough to win the game. Special teams will provide a spark and might even provide some additional points. Diggs will offset our special teams on his own. WVU doesn’t have a player that can change the game to the degree Diggs can, unless White finally figures out how to score touchdowns.

Our Mountaineers could/should win this game. Maryland will get 250 yards receiving easily, how much they get over that number will determine the outcome and that’s all on the defense. Diggs will get his yards and Long might even too. If all three of their receivers get theirs, it will be a long day to be a Mountaineer.

I’m still concerned about the defense’s ability to stop an opponents running game. To me, that’s the key to the game. Our ability to run the football and the defense’s ability to stop Maryland from running the football. Special teams will offset each other and the passing offense from each team will offset too.

Maryland dominated the line of scrimmage last year. That has to change this year. Those “Big Plays” are much easier when…

Christian Brown and Kyle Rose need helmet stickers, I think, if WVU is going to win. Actually, add Noble, Riddick, Dontrill and Kinsey, too. The line has to do work against the run and the pass to drive the defense. Maryland has two new-ish guards, so …

pknocker40 said:

Maybe the only good thing from last year’s game was seeing the WVU secondary lay the WOOD on Diggs and Long – well, that and the TFGD:

http://blogs.charlestondailymail.com/wvu/2013/09/23/texts-from-maryland-game-day-4/

One of my favorites.

smeer said:

a couple of plays interest me – not sure they need video or not in light of the root mute

i’d like insight on Towson’s fake punt – called, improved, punters call thinking he saw something that was not there?

as assessment of our DBs – especially on Towson’s completions (who’s doing well/not?) i was thinking that in the success of our pass rush, our DBs didn’t get tested a lot and “pretty sure” we won’t always have that luxury

and Tonkery’s injury? didn’t notice during the game – what happened?

finally – looking ahead – I know dangerous – in the light of our B12 brethren’s struggles (especially Texas, Iowa state, TT), and our O finally clicking), does it not seem a bowl (and a decent one) can be had IF QB/others stay healthy and our D can find some kind of sweet spot.’

So Maryland – always a litmus test for our season. As said before week one – I think Alabama has prepped us well for smacking them down this year.

Damn, can’t get them all. I didn’t get to the Towson side of things after the game — late kickoffs are the worst for the media because everyone, teams included, is in a rush — but watching live and then again briefly on my review, I think the punter panicked and ran with it. Petteway got in there and the punter didn’t have a grip on the ball, and there was a lane. But it was a part of the field where you would fake a a punt. I think the corners are doing fine and Henry is pleasantly anonymous at the top of the secondary, but honestly, it’s pretty hard to evaluate after just two games because the second game was almost a wash. How Joseph and/or Dillon cover Saturday will answer a lot of questions. It looked to me Tonkery rolled an ankle during a pile up. As for the look ahead, let’s stop for a second and take stock of the Big 12: Oklahoma looks good, but you get them at home at night. Baylor has a QB with a broken back and gimpy receivers. Oklahoma State might have lost its QB for the season. Kansas State has been so-so, though I contend Iowa State is a root canal especially in Ames. Texas Tech has struggled. Texas is fading fast and has a QB problem. Kansas is Kansas. TCU is going to be dicey. Anyhow, the landscape looks totally different now than it did three weeks ago. And I know we went over this before, but isn’t WVU due for some favorable breaks?

I love you, Doug! said: 

Educate me on Shell, please. Why should I be excited about him?

He’s not a homerun-hitter like Slaton or Devine.

He doesn’t have ankle-breaking moves like Austin.

He’s not as big as Schmitt.

Should I like him because he’s an all-around B player? Can run a little, catch the ball a little, block a little? Does everything okay but nothing spectacular?

I’ll debate you a little on the home run hitter and the ankle-breaking stuff. He’s not those three guys, but, come on, few are. But he’s fast if he can open up and he has moves. There’s some Tony Dorsett there.  He’s not as well-rounded as Sims, but he’s a sophomore and he’s mostly new to this sort of role, but look at how many strides he’s taken. And he’s 21 years old. Most of his opponents are not. There are some other personal variables to consider (he’s been humbled, he has a daughter, he wants to provide for his mother, etc.) but that’s all up to you to weight and consider.

Mack said:

ILYD, you should like him because he is a strong enough runner that he requires defenses to respect WVU’s running game between the tackles. This will help to open everything else up.

Shawne Alston wasn’t too appealing, but that was his best attribute. 

glibglub said:

Who named Rushel Shell anyway? Was it Cris “Pash Rush” Collinsworth?

I don’t think so.

Dann White said:

Glib,

It was Misher and Mishus Shell.
Dann

Enjoy the weekend!
Mike