Post by RanDaddy on Aug 26, 2017 13:33:00 GMT -5
It's that time of year again, boys and girls! Time for Randy's Fearless Forecast for our beloved WVU Mountaineers! As always, this is completely unbiased and 100% guaranteed to be accurate and fair. All betting should include a 20% gratuity on all winnings to the prognosticator! And now, without further ado...
Sunday, September 3 vs #21 Virginia Tech (Landover, MD): A Sunday-night affair and this game is the only game on the TV that night. It's a chance to showcase the potent WVU offense and the vastly underrated WVU Defense. VT is no pushover and we know they will bring their great defense to this game. However, they will wilt under the constant mix of accurate passing from Will Grier and the punishing running game of Justin Crawford/Kennedy McKoy/Martellus Petaway. Also...look for the mismatch of McKoy or the freshman Tevin Bush in the slot against a slower VT safety. The Hokie-Pokie ain't what it's all about on this night... WVU 35 VT 17
Saturday, September 9 vs East Carolina (Home): A short week to prepare for ECU, who always plays WVU tough. However, ECU is rebuilding and that should favor WVU. Their offense will be decent but their defense ranked last in FBS last year and is not slated to be much better this year. ECU will play tough for a quarter or so, but look for our opportunistic defense (as well as a scheme that ECU will not be accustomed to seeing) to stop ECU via the turnover route. Our offense should have a field day with Will Grier's first of many 400-yard passing days. WVU pulls away in the second half and we sing Country Roads...
WVU 48 ECU 14
Saturday, September 16 vs Delaware State (Home): Delaware State must be trying to win an award for the toughest non-conference schedule in the FCS this year. The Hornets finished 0-11, including 0-8 in the MEAC, in coach Kenny Carter’s second season. They struggle on both sides of the ball, so look for WVU to get on the Hornets early and often. This one should be over by halftime... WVU 63 DSU 3
Saturday, September 23 vs Kansas (at Lawrence, KS): The Big XII schedule opens with a trip to Lawrence and the Jayhawks. David Beatty is building a better team in Kansas and they will not be the usual pushover that they are. It's their Big XII opener as well, so they will be looking to make a statement. Their offense will be fair with a decent QB and a fair running game and O-Line. Their defense will be strong up front but weak in the secondary due to graduation so look for WVU to attempt to loosen up the front line with a vertical passing game. Look for a big game from David Stills and the receiving corps! The Jayhawks play game in this one and its closer than in previous years, but... WVU 35 KU 20
Saturday, October 7 vs TCU (at Ft. Worth, TX): TCU was a major disappointment last year. They were supposed to contend with Kenny Hill from TA&M taking over the QB job and the usually strong defense you expect from Gary Patterson. However, Hill struggled and the defense played too much for them to be competitive. This year Patterson worked to get bigger up front to compliment the veteran LB and Secondary corps. However, unless Hill plays better at QB and they can run the ball, it'll be much of the same for the Horny Frogs. Look for WVU to pound the line successfully with a great game by Justin Crawford (100+ yards?). The defense will harass Hill like they did last year and in the end... WVU 38 TCU 21
Saturday, October 14 vs Texas Tech (Homecoming): A sellout Homecoming crowd will welcome the most overrated Big XII coach to Morgantown. This team was bad last year at stopping the run and is replacing Patrick Mahomes at QB. They can't run the ball and they can't stop the run either. They will be able to chuck the ball down the field, so they will score but not nearly enough. Watch as once again WVU runs the ball effectively and both Crawford and McKoy rush for over 100 yards in this game. It's a happy homecoming as we sing Country Roads again... WVU 48 TTU 28
Saturday, October 21 vs Baylor (at Waco, TX): New coach Matt Rhule from Temple inherits a train wreck. Last year Baylor overachieved and finished 7-6 but that was more of a statement in support of Art Briles than anything. This year, the entire coaching staff has changed, along with the entire philosophy. They too will rely on a deep WR corps but also on a Soph. QB and I think our defense will confuse him. A rebuilding O-Line as well as a rebuilding defense opens the door in Waco for the Mountaineers. Look for Will Grier to have a stellar day passing as well as our running game to dictate tempo and keep the Baylor offense on the sidelines. A gritty team, but no match for WVU... WVU 38 BU 20
Saturday, October 28 vs Oklahoma State (Home): Many of the prognosticators are predicting that OSU will win the Big XII this year. They have arguably the best QB in the conference (Mason Rudolph will be back for his 12th season), and the best WR corps as well (James Washington will be back for his 13th season). They have a good defense and a good running game too. Defensively they are strong up front but inexperienced in the secondary. This will be our toughest test to date. I expect a high scoring affair with a turnover being the difference. I think in the end the home field advantage, plus the added advantage that this is the game that I will be attending with my Dad, will allow us to prevail in the end... WVU 51 OSU 49
Saturday, November 4 vs Iowa State (Home): ISU is going to be a better program. They have former 5-star UGA transfer Jacob Park back at QB, a good running game and Allen Lazard (back for this 72nd season at ISU) at WR. Line is a work in progress. Defensively, they have all JUCO transfers projected at DL and the former QB at MLB. Secondary is young. Look for WVU to run the ball effectively, keep that offense on the sidelines and make plays on defense that they have to in order to put this game away. I predict a breakout game from the secondary, picking off Park 3x to frustrate them as well...WVU 38 ISU 20
Saturday, November 11 vs Kansas State (at Manhattan, KS): This game scares me. As you all know I have the utmost respect for Bill Snyder. I think he's the best coach in the league and the classiest guy in FBS. His teams are always just blue collar, grind it out, play solid defense, sound in the kicking game, and don't beat yourself. This team will be nothing different and they are predicted to be the "dark horse" in the Big XII race this year. They will play ball control and good defense, but I think we can run the ball against them. They are replacing a lot of defensive players up front and at LB. Look for WVU to try and control the game up front and in the running game. Most likely, the team with fewer mistakes will win this affair. It won't be pretty and it won't be high scoring but...WVU 24 KSU 17
Saturday, November 18 vs Texas (Home): The vastly overrated Texas Longhorns are the opponents for our final home game of the season. Texas is expected to contend for the Big XII championship and is loaded at every position. They have 37 out of 44 from their 2-deep back this year, a seasoned QB, a good & big running back, 4 out of 5 O-linemen returning (including and all-american), a deep WR corps, a deep DL and a deep secondary. Plus, boy-wonder Tom Hermann is working to change the culture at Texas and bring back toughness. Sounds like a tough game? It will be. Texas will be different under Hermann and they will bring the wood to this game. It'll be a tough matchup but here's my thoughts: It'll be cold (maybe even a night game?) and the home crowd will be loud. Our defense has had time to gel and the best way to beat a good offense is to leave them on the sidelines! Our running game takes control, sprinkled in by timely passing to our slot receivers and a (gasp!) tight end sighthing, and in the end... WVU 31 Texas 24
Saturday, November 25 vs Oklahoma (at Norman, OK): This is a helluva way to end the season. KSU, Texas and then OU. OU is loaded as usual and has the best QB in the Big XII in Baker Mayfield. By this time in the season both teams will be settled and veteran teams. I think OU takes us for granted. I think OU believes they win this game going away at home and is looking ahead toward the Big XII Championship the following weekend. But a balance attack by our offense as well as the defense harassing Mayfield, stopping the running game, and making them one-dimensional is the difference. As a side note...could we maybe have big ol' Elijah Wellman "blocking" on the sidelines and knock Bill Bedenbaugh (our former/current OU O-line coach and WVU traitor) out? I'd pay to see that! I hate that fargin' bastage! Boom go the Sooners... WVU 34 OU 31
Saturday, December 2 Big XII Championship Game (at Jerryland, TX): It's the Big XII Championship Game! The WVU Mountaineers face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a rematch of our October 28th game. Once again it's a raucous affair in the house-that-Jerry-built with teams trading scores like Donald Trump fires cabinet members! Back and forth until late in the game, on a first and goal at the WVU 1 yard line, Dravon Askew-Henry knifes in and separates Mason Rudolph from the ball. It's picked up by David Long and returned 95 yards for the decisive touchdown... WVU 45 OSU 42
Monday, January 1 vs Florida State (at Rose Bowl): The first of the two CFB semi-final games contested on New Year's Day. Florida State comes in as a HEAVY favorite. They are loaded at every position and have rolled through the mighty ACC this year. Vegas stops betting because it's getting out of hand. No one fives WVU a chance. However, Will Grier carves up the vaunted FSU secondary and our defense plays havoc against the FSU offense. At the end of the game, Jimbo Fisher says during his post-game presser that he wishes he'd taken the WVU gig when he had the chance... WVU 38 FSU 31
Monday, January 8 vs Alabama (at the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta): In what looks like an Alabama home game, the Mountaineers are 6 TD underdogs to the Crimson Tide. No one even fives them a chance. But funny things happen in Atlanta when WVU plays there. After all, if our fans can get there on a tank of gas and a case of beer... Alabama has played a lot of good teams this year, but their weakness is an up-tempo offense and a defense that is stingy on the run game. It's a hard fought affair, but in the end we see a Grier to Sills TD pass and... WVU 28 Alabama 16
So there you have it! When the dust settles, WVU is 15-0 and is your National Champion! It's a GREAT day to be a Mountaineer wherever you are!
Sunday, September 3 vs #21 Virginia Tech (Landover, MD): A Sunday-night affair and this game is the only game on the TV that night. It's a chance to showcase the potent WVU offense and the vastly underrated WVU Defense. VT is no pushover and we know they will bring their great defense to this game. However, they will wilt under the constant mix of accurate passing from Will Grier and the punishing running game of Justin Crawford/Kennedy McKoy/Martellus Petaway. Also...look for the mismatch of McKoy or the freshman Tevin Bush in the slot against a slower VT safety. The Hokie-Pokie ain't what it's all about on this night... WVU 35 VT 17
Saturday, September 9 vs East Carolina (Home): A short week to prepare for ECU, who always plays WVU tough. However, ECU is rebuilding and that should favor WVU. Their offense will be decent but their defense ranked last in FBS last year and is not slated to be much better this year. ECU will play tough for a quarter or so, but look for our opportunistic defense (as well as a scheme that ECU will not be accustomed to seeing) to stop ECU via the turnover route. Our offense should have a field day with Will Grier's first of many 400-yard passing days. WVU pulls away in the second half and we sing Country Roads...
WVU 48 ECU 14
Saturday, September 16 vs Delaware State (Home): Delaware State must be trying to win an award for the toughest non-conference schedule in the FCS this year. The Hornets finished 0-11, including 0-8 in the MEAC, in coach Kenny Carter’s second season. They struggle on both sides of the ball, so look for WVU to get on the Hornets early and often. This one should be over by halftime... WVU 63 DSU 3
Saturday, September 23 vs Kansas (at Lawrence, KS): The Big XII schedule opens with a trip to Lawrence and the Jayhawks. David Beatty is building a better team in Kansas and they will not be the usual pushover that they are. It's their Big XII opener as well, so they will be looking to make a statement. Their offense will be fair with a decent QB and a fair running game and O-Line. Their defense will be strong up front but weak in the secondary due to graduation so look for WVU to attempt to loosen up the front line with a vertical passing game. Look for a big game from David Stills and the receiving corps! The Jayhawks play game in this one and its closer than in previous years, but... WVU 35 KU 20
Saturday, October 7 vs TCU (at Ft. Worth, TX): TCU was a major disappointment last year. They were supposed to contend with Kenny Hill from TA&M taking over the QB job and the usually strong defense you expect from Gary Patterson. However, Hill struggled and the defense played too much for them to be competitive. This year Patterson worked to get bigger up front to compliment the veteran LB and Secondary corps. However, unless Hill plays better at QB and they can run the ball, it'll be much of the same for the Horny Frogs. Look for WVU to pound the line successfully with a great game by Justin Crawford (100+ yards?). The defense will harass Hill like they did last year and in the end... WVU 38 TCU 21
Saturday, October 14 vs Texas Tech (Homecoming): A sellout Homecoming crowd will welcome the most overrated Big XII coach to Morgantown. This team was bad last year at stopping the run and is replacing Patrick Mahomes at QB. They can't run the ball and they can't stop the run either. They will be able to chuck the ball down the field, so they will score but not nearly enough. Watch as once again WVU runs the ball effectively and both Crawford and McKoy rush for over 100 yards in this game. It's a happy homecoming as we sing Country Roads again... WVU 48 TTU 28
Saturday, October 21 vs Baylor (at Waco, TX): New coach Matt Rhule from Temple inherits a train wreck. Last year Baylor overachieved and finished 7-6 but that was more of a statement in support of Art Briles than anything. This year, the entire coaching staff has changed, along with the entire philosophy. They too will rely on a deep WR corps but also on a Soph. QB and I think our defense will confuse him. A rebuilding O-Line as well as a rebuilding defense opens the door in Waco for the Mountaineers. Look for Will Grier to have a stellar day passing as well as our running game to dictate tempo and keep the Baylor offense on the sidelines. A gritty team, but no match for WVU... WVU 38 BU 20
Saturday, October 28 vs Oklahoma State (Home): Many of the prognosticators are predicting that OSU will win the Big XII this year. They have arguably the best QB in the conference (Mason Rudolph will be back for his 12th season), and the best WR corps as well (James Washington will be back for his 13th season). They have a good defense and a good running game too. Defensively they are strong up front but inexperienced in the secondary. This will be our toughest test to date. I expect a high scoring affair with a turnover being the difference. I think in the end the home field advantage, plus the added advantage that this is the game that I will be attending with my Dad, will allow us to prevail in the end... WVU 51 OSU 49
Saturday, November 4 vs Iowa State (Home): ISU is going to be a better program. They have former 5-star UGA transfer Jacob Park back at QB, a good running game and Allen Lazard (back for this 72nd season at ISU) at WR. Line is a work in progress. Defensively, they have all JUCO transfers projected at DL and the former QB at MLB. Secondary is young. Look for WVU to run the ball effectively, keep that offense on the sidelines and make plays on defense that they have to in order to put this game away. I predict a breakout game from the secondary, picking off Park 3x to frustrate them as well...WVU 38 ISU 20
Saturday, November 11 vs Kansas State (at Manhattan, KS): This game scares me. As you all know I have the utmost respect for Bill Snyder. I think he's the best coach in the league and the classiest guy in FBS. His teams are always just blue collar, grind it out, play solid defense, sound in the kicking game, and don't beat yourself. This team will be nothing different and they are predicted to be the "dark horse" in the Big XII race this year. They will play ball control and good defense, but I think we can run the ball against them. They are replacing a lot of defensive players up front and at LB. Look for WVU to try and control the game up front and in the running game. Most likely, the team with fewer mistakes will win this affair. It won't be pretty and it won't be high scoring but...WVU 24 KSU 17
Saturday, November 18 vs Texas (Home): The vastly overrated Texas Longhorns are the opponents for our final home game of the season. Texas is expected to contend for the Big XII championship and is loaded at every position. They have 37 out of 44 from their 2-deep back this year, a seasoned QB, a good & big running back, 4 out of 5 O-linemen returning (including and all-american), a deep WR corps, a deep DL and a deep secondary. Plus, boy-wonder Tom Hermann is working to change the culture at Texas and bring back toughness. Sounds like a tough game? It will be. Texas will be different under Hermann and they will bring the wood to this game. It'll be a tough matchup but here's my thoughts: It'll be cold (maybe even a night game?) and the home crowd will be loud. Our defense has had time to gel and the best way to beat a good offense is to leave them on the sidelines! Our running game takes control, sprinkled in by timely passing to our slot receivers and a (gasp!) tight end sighthing, and in the end... WVU 31 Texas 24
Saturday, November 25 vs Oklahoma (at Norman, OK): This is a helluva way to end the season. KSU, Texas and then OU. OU is loaded as usual and has the best QB in the Big XII in Baker Mayfield. By this time in the season both teams will be settled and veteran teams. I think OU takes us for granted. I think OU believes they win this game going away at home and is looking ahead toward the Big XII Championship the following weekend. But a balance attack by our offense as well as the defense harassing Mayfield, stopping the running game, and making them one-dimensional is the difference. As a side note...could we maybe have big ol' Elijah Wellman "blocking" on the sidelines and knock Bill Bedenbaugh (our former/current OU O-line coach and WVU traitor) out? I'd pay to see that! I hate that fargin' bastage! Boom go the Sooners... WVU 34 OU 31
Saturday, December 2 Big XII Championship Game (at Jerryland, TX): It's the Big XII Championship Game! The WVU Mountaineers face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a rematch of our October 28th game. Once again it's a raucous affair in the house-that-Jerry-built with teams trading scores like Donald Trump fires cabinet members! Back and forth until late in the game, on a first and goal at the WVU 1 yard line, Dravon Askew-Henry knifes in and separates Mason Rudolph from the ball. It's picked up by David Long and returned 95 yards for the decisive touchdown... WVU 45 OSU 42
Monday, January 1 vs Florida State (at Rose Bowl): The first of the two CFB semi-final games contested on New Year's Day. Florida State comes in as a HEAVY favorite. They are loaded at every position and have rolled through the mighty ACC this year. Vegas stops betting because it's getting out of hand. No one fives WVU a chance. However, Will Grier carves up the vaunted FSU secondary and our defense plays havoc against the FSU offense. At the end of the game, Jimbo Fisher says during his post-game presser that he wishes he'd taken the WVU gig when he had the chance... WVU 38 FSU 31
Monday, January 8 vs Alabama (at the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta): In what looks like an Alabama home game, the Mountaineers are 6 TD underdogs to the Crimson Tide. No one even fives them a chance. But funny things happen in Atlanta when WVU plays there. After all, if our fans can get there on a tank of gas and a case of beer... Alabama has played a lot of good teams this year, but their weakness is an up-tempo offense and a defense that is stingy on the run game. It's a hard fought affair, but in the end we see a Grier to Sills TD pass and... WVU 28 Alabama 16
So there you have it! When the dust settles, WVU is 15-0 and is your National Champion! It's a GREAT day to be a Mountaineer wherever you are!
