The good and the bad of WVU v. JMU
September 18, 2012 by Mike CasazzaThe game is now long in the books and WVU is $2,303,382.50 richer, less expenses, for the experience. The Mountaineers, now ranked eighth, are better than they were a week and certainly two weeks ago, though this one win wasn’t performed as emphatically or stylishly as the first one.
The offense was again sharp at the start, the defense was very good when challenged and then the offense seized momentum when it needed to and ran with it. There were also some dubious moments to keep us talking and thinking about what’s to come — and Baylor is coming quick.
Let’s take a closer look and examine the good and the bad …
Good: Heat
May God have mercy on Colin Dunlap if the Pirates and Cubs went extra innings. Joel Hanrahan got us out in time for the Root Sports intro. Apparently it wasn’t easy.
Good: Washington monuments
Seriously, if you give Geno Smith five seconds and more than enough time to make the third read on a deep square-in to convert a third-and-11, you, kind defensive coordinator, are screwed.
JMU tried some pressure and succeeded from time to time, which contributed to a safety, one big hit on Geno and a handful of negative yardage running plays, but WVU’s offensive line was again up to the task.
Maryland’s defensive line is going to have the most talent yet, led by Joe Vellano in the middle, but it sure looks like WVU is able to win many of these 5-on-3 or 5-on-4 situations. Bring a fifth or sixth? The story changes.
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