West Virginia Football: 12-0 in 2007?

On September 1st, West Virginia fans will pack the stands at Mountaineer Field to cheer their boys against the Western Michigan Broncos.

Though WMU wouldn't seem to pose much of a threat, no West Virginia opponent will go overlooked this season. WMU or Louisville, Marshall or South Florida, they all matter.

After all: This is the year for the Mountaineers.

Ryan Mundy, a graduate (yes, graduate) from the University of Michigan, will likely be a starter in the secondary. The 6'1", 210-pounder played both corner and free safety at UM, and should be a contributor wherever he lines up.

Junior college transfer Ellis Lankster (5'10", 200) could also help immediately at cornerback. The widely sought-after Lankster had scholarship offers from two SEC schools.

In the front seven, incoming freshman Junius Lewis (6'3", 265; Morgantown High) will help bolster a lackluster pass rush. Will Johnson (6'2", 210) should also contribute; the talented athlete from Centerville, OH, played LB in high school and runs a 4.5 40.

Offensively, not much can be said about West Virginia that isn't already known. Highly-touted newcomer Noel Devine officially gives the Mountaineers the fastest backfield in the country. No one could stop the West Virginia offense last year, and the trend will continue in 2007.

The only real questions concern the O-line, which was hurt by the loss of center Dan Mozes (winner of the Rimington Trophy) and coach Rick Trickett.

Mike Dent should be a capable replacement for Mozes, with newcomer Gino Gradkowski (Bruce's younger brother) looking to back him up.

Elsewhere, you should see some new faces in the offensive mix, and some old ones in new places. Wes Lyons, a 6'8" (!) WR, will probably get some playing time, and Jeremy Bruce could see more than he did last year. Owen Schmitt will be lining up at tight end, and Heisman candidate Steve Slaton will get more looks in the slot.

With a super-powered offense and a vastly improved defense, the Mountaineers should play up to expectations this season. My prediction: a 12-0 regular season capped by a BCS title game showdown against Southern California.

(Side note: If West Virginia somehow goes undefeated and still gets left out of the title game, I believe they'll play in the Orange Bowl, hopefully against Virginia Tech.)

Here are my way-to-early, game-by-game predictions for the Mountaineers. These are subject to change at any time:

9/1 Western Michigan 48-10

9/8 at Marshall 52-17

9/13 at Maryland 35-24

9/22 East Carolina 42-17

9/28 at South Florida 45-21

10/6 at Syracuse 35-17

10/20 Mississippi State 48-21

10/27 at Rutgers 42-24

11/8 Louisville 38-27 at first...but now I'm thinking more like 45-31

11/17 at Cincinnati 41-3

11/24 Connecticut 49-3

12/1 Pittsburgh 45-24