Let’s be honest here. The outcome of this game really won’t be in doubt unless most of the WVU football team comes down with a case of food poisoning from the Friday night team meal. The last time this Delaware State team played an FBS foe, the Missouri team that the Mountaineers beat last year thumped DSU 79-0.

No, the most important thing that will happen Saturday is that the entire WVU team will get a good look at what it can do well and what it really needs to improve. Because if something falters against Delaware State, it really needs to go back to the drawing board.

You’ll never hear a WVU player or coach say that, though.

“We always talk about respecting our opponent and this week is no different than Virginia Tech. We expect our guys to line up and focus on themselves and try to improve. That was the message this week.”

The WVU defense has plenty of room for improvement. It’s 112th nationally in yards allowed. That’s not good with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State still on the docket.

If anything, the Mountaineers should get some good film to analyze their own players, their tendencies, their successes and their faults. WVU eases into the Big 12 schedule with Kansas, gets a bye week, then it’s off to the races. The coaches can use this game to get their eyes on most of the roster in game situations.