The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Friday Feedback

October 23, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which would like to begin today by addressing three things:

(Pours Johnny Walker Green, taps mic…)

1) I’m not a Marshall beat writer and I have no agenda, but thank you for asking.
2) I’ve never been contacted by John Calipari and I’m not even sure what that means.
3) I prefer weeks that don’t contain the unfortunate stories and issues contained in this week.

Thank you for your time.

Moving on, just a final note on Jasper Howard. You may recall Rob Lunn, the Fat White Guy, from years and posts past at UConn. He had a fine editorial this week for the New England Sports Network that put things in a pretty proper perspective. The word most commonly used by West Virginia’s players this week was “weird,” but the Mountaineers have to play the Huskies Saturday.

The Mountaineers are 71/2-point favorites against UConn, led the series 5-0 and have beaten the Huskies the past two years by a combined score of 101-34.

In a way, though, they are not the favorites. They know who virtually all of college football will cheer.

“I would, too, but now that they’re playing us I can’t,” WVU cornerback Brandon Hogan said. “I know there’s going to be a lot of emotion in this game, but we’ve still got to do what we’ve got to do. It’ll be difficult, but we’ve still got to get that victory.”

This is not an ode to “Woe is WVU,” but it is indicative of what that side is going through this week, as well. Emotion will be a key and if WVU is to win, it’ll have to match and stay above UConn’s level — and that could be really difficult. You know they Huskies are well-coached and Randy Edsall will have that team humming with a singular focus. This should be a very good football game.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, don’t be so lackadaisical. 

Erinn said:

Geez, Mike. When did your blog turn into another one of those ridiculous message boards?

I’m telling you, it was that kind of week. And to think, it all began with a rather ordinary post early Saturday afternoon showing scenes from Mountaineer Madness. And that’s all I’m going to say about that for now.

Continue reading…

Scooter Berry’s three-tweet mea culpa

October 22, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Because sometimes 140 characters just won’t do…

Just want2 apologize to all the fans and supporters of the WV Football team..Unfortunately I slipped up Saturday night and made not only
—
Myself but my brothers and the program look bad..I’m willing to take responsibility for my actions and will be dealt with accordingly
—
Again my most sincerest apologies to you all..and hopefully I’ll be able to gain the respect back that I’ve lost

Far be it from me to say J.B. will play …

by Mike Casazza

… but it looks to me as if WVU’s starting quarterback will be the starting quarterback Saturday. This from Bill Stewart, via sports information, this morning:

“Jarrett Brown practiced both Tuesday and Wednesday and did well … We will continue to evaluate him the remainder of the week and make the decision about his status on Saturday morning.”

And this from Stewart’s Tuesday press conference:

“If he gets through (practice) Tuesday well, he’s got to get through Wednesday even better.”

Voila!

Continue reading…

Here comes The Predator

by Mike Casazza

Dixon

Remember this guy? Violent runner, dreads swaying, legs firing. It’s Andre Dixon, he of 828 yards and a 5-yard-per-carry average in 2007. As Bill Stewart said, this was the guy. So good was Dixon that Donald Brown was actually the other guy.

Belive it or not Dixon is still at UConn and again the head of a two-headed running monster. This may come as a surprise to many, though, because Dixon was largely invisible last season.

Dixon carried nine times all season and had more yards in one game (38 against Syracuse) than he did all season (37).

“I didn’t see it coming really,” Dixon said. “I thought I was going to play and it was going to be similar to ’07 and we’d definitely split time and make things happen. It just so happened to be a situation where Donald Brown not only outworked me, but pretty much outworked the entire nation.”

Ed Pastilong’s phone rings in 5, 4, 3 …

October 21, 2009 by Mike Casazza

I’m kidding. Right? Anyone?

Tony Pike’s plate and the Big East race

by Mike Casazza

Cincinnati remains the top team in the Big East poll, but we wonder for how long it will last. The Bearcats are, uh, well-armed at No. 5 in the AP poll and the BCS and with two other quarterbacks who could play in place of injured Tony Pike. The UC and Zack Collaros did OK without Pike last week and, if nothing else, injuries at the position are old hat. That team used five quarterbacks last year. Five!

The offense is less of a mystery now and the league is, I think, tougher with, I know, better defenses. Can this keep on happening? Does Louisville stop killing itself and win a big game this week? I sense there’s a reason everyone there is holding out hope Pike can play ASAP. Is it because the Bearcats (6-0, 2-0 Big East) have never been in such a position? Is it because the gap is more narrow now? It’s worth watching.

Continue reading…

This will not surprise you

by Mike Casazza

Hey, how about some good news? Experts believe WVU basketball will be very good this season. The news, though, is the experts are the coaches in the best country’s best league.

West Virginia’s expectations of having a special season in men’s basketball received major confirmation today, when the Mountaineers were picked a close second in the annual Big East Conference coaches’ poll.

It was the highest predicted finish for WVU since it entered the conference for basketball in 1995-96.

Press conference notes

October 20, 2009 by Mike Casazza

– Scooter Berry is suspended indefinitely because he “broke a team policy,” which presumably has something to do with mouthing off to a cop. Stewart’s timeline for indefinite is until appropriate restitution is paid to the staff and teammates.

– Jarrett Brown will practice today and get first-team reps. Stewart said Brown hasn’t had any headaches or other symptoms. If he can handle practice today and be better tomorrow, he’ll be on track to start Saturday.

– Ryan Clarke will play.

– The Mountaineers will wear No. 6 helmet stickers and conduct a moment of silence before the game Saturday in acknowledge Jasper Howard. The two teams will then shake hands and play. Also, let’s follow some advice before kickoff.

Here’s what you can do if you’re coming to Saturday’s Connecticut game: cheer.

That’s right, cheer for the Connecticut football team when they take the field prior to kickoff. Instead of the normal chorus of boos, which an opposing team receives, shower the Huskies with a standing ovation and cheers. Cheer for the memory of Jasper Howard and applaud and encourage the entire Connecticut football team for their ability to preserver in the face of a tragedy no one should have to experience.

The battle of Big East backups

by Mike Casazza

All eight Big East teams will play this weekend and chances are five will use a backup quarterback — WVU, UConn, Louisville, USF and Cincinnati. Four of those teams are competing for a Big East title.

While players and plays still decide games, coaches and coordinators have serious work to do when the situation arises. In truth, they should have done the work long ago.

“This is what I do, have done and will do and nobody is ever going to talk me out of it,” Stewart said. “We go five snaps with the 1s (first-team) and three with the 2s (second team). That’s with pads, in scrimmages, everything in a five-minute (practice) period. Many days they get more than that and we go back and repeat. It’s why the Mountaineers have a backup capable to go in.”