West Virginia Football: 10 Reasonable Goals for the 2012 Season

The 2012 West Virginia Football season has a chance to be extraordinary. I know it, you know it, and your everyday sports fan knows it.

With Geno Smith coming back along with wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, the offense is going to be among the nations best.

My question for WVU like always, is can the team keep up the consistency?

I was in Mograntown when we were minutes away from a national championship game, and choked against Pitt. That team featuring Pat White, Steve Slaton and Noel Devine kept the fans on the edge of their seats.

I will tell you right now Geno Smith is WAY better than Pat White at the QB position. That is no knock on Pat White, however the former WVU QB was not a true QB, like Geno. 

Smith can make all the throws, and I was a witness at his greatness last season in which he had one of the best seasons in West Virginia history. The Heisman Trophy is not out of the reach for the senior gun-slinger this season.

To make WVU's fans dreams come true, and to make it to a championship several things have to happen.

Run the Table at Home

The Mountaineers will need to take advantage of their home schedule this season, as they enter one of the premier conferences in America.

This season will not be as easy as the past decade, because the Mountaineers host the likes of Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma. 

There is one thing I can tell you for sure, and that is this team is not lacking confidence; and in my opinion, Geno Smith is one of the best players in the nation, not just the Big 12.

I think the offense can carry this team a long, long way; but for the National Championship hopes to continue, the Mountaineers need to take care of business at home.

Make a BCS Bowl for Consecutive Seasons

Last season, the Mountaineers were a heavy favorite to win the Big East, and the team had to receive a BCS bid by the way of a three-way tie.

Last off-season WVU was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons; notably the coaching staff changes with the shift from Bill Stewart to Dana Holgorsen.

There was a staff separation, and that was evident from the beginning.

I don't feel that will be the case this season because the staff finally has continuity.

Whenever there is a new coach brought in, as was the case when Holgorsen was brought in as the "coach-in-waiting" to replace then head man Bill Stewart, one has to suspect things were awkward for everyone involved.

As a matter of fact, that situation blew up in AD Oliver Luck's face, and Stewart was later fired or resigned, whichever route you chose.

With this move to the Big 12, WVU no longer has to simply win their conference to make an elite bowl, they just have to be one of the top two or three teams, and with this squad that is easily possible.

Will the Running Game Be a Threat?

With Sophomore Andre Buie, along with fellow RB's Shawne Alston and Dustin Garrison, the Mountaineers have a legit chance to have a serious running threat on offense.

Now I know the Holgorsen offense is centered around Geno and the passing game; and for good reason.

However do not forget the tailbacks; these guys can ball out, and if they improve on last season this offense will be very, very serious.

Will WVU Have Three All-Americans?

It cracks me up when people forget about Stedman Bailey, but I guess that's ESPN for you. Bailey is a beast at receiver; straight up.

No one under Holgorsen has improved more than Steady-B; and it's easy to forget about him because of Tavon Austin.

With Geno, Austin and Bailey, the Mountaineers have a legit chance to land three players on the first-team All-American list. 

Smith will leave Morgantown as the most prolific passer in school history, and Bailey and Austin are poised to shatter receiving records as well.

The Mountaineers could have more than three as well. The offensive line will be much better than a year ago,and guys to watch for are Jeff Braun, Joe Madsen and Josh Jenkins.

Can the Mountaineers Force Turnovers in the Big 12?

Joe DeForest defenses may give up a lot of yardage, but that is to be expected in the Big 12. What the new co-defensive coordinators will bring to WVU is a change of attitude, along with the scheme.

DeForest is known for forcing a lot of turnovers and Oklahoma State was one of the best at turning the ball over a year ago.

Co-coordinator Keith Patterson is known for getting after the quarterback as Pitt was near the top in the nation in sacks a year ago under Patterson.

Sounds like a recipe for success to me.

What fans need to realize is that this switch will not happen overnight; but the change will happen.

Our defense will not play very far off the ball like in past seasons, and this will allow for more opportunities for the secondary.

With this offense, all it will take is a few big plays by the defense to let the team take off.

Remember Clemson? 

What happened after Darwin Cooks fumble recovery?

Oh yeah...70-33.

Geno for Heisman?

At 6-foot-3 and just under 220 pounds, Geno Smith is a beast. He will have every opportunity to win the Heisman this year, and have an elite conference to show his skills in as well.

Coming off of a season in which he shattered records, the QB will try to top his 4,385 yards and 31 scores from a year ago.

My bet is that number will increase...drastically.

Year two in a high-powered offense that returns nine starters should produce big time numbers.

Smith, the Florida native, will leave WVU has one of the best passer in the history of college football.

What About Tavon Austin?

Heading into the Orange Bowl on nearly every sports outlet, all you heard was how good and fast the Clemson Tigers were.

Sammy Watkins this, and Sammy Watkins that.

Watkins is a great player, but there is one thing he is not, and that is Tavon Austin.

Austin had over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, along with several special teams TDs a year ago.

This guy is flat out special and can impact the game in many ways.

He can line up at running back, wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner, and with that ability to play that many positions, Heisman voters will take notice.

Will the Mountaineers Have Three 1,000 Yard Receivers?

With Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin going for over 1,000 yards receiving last season, having three receivers amassing that mark isn't out of the question.

The question is who will it be?

WVU has many receivers who are very capable. One player to watch is senior J.D Woods, and fellow WR Ivan McCartney.

Both of these players are poised to have break-out seasons as long as they stay healthy.

Will WVU Land a Top 25 Recruiting Class?

Recruiting classes can be overrated, however having a good one doesn't hurt; just ask Alabama.

WVU has the talent, the schedule, and the ability to make this season one of the best in school history, and with the teams we will be playing in the future, recruits will take notice.

Even with one loss or two, this team could very easily win 10 games, and likely find itself in an outstanding bowl game.

What I'm excited for is the new model of the playoff system; particularly if they decide to do it at home sites.

Morgantown, West Virginia is a place you've never experienced until you've walked on campus. I find it hilarious time after time when fans say "Wow!" upon arriving on campus. 

If the people who decide the fate of college football elect to have home and home games for playoffs, WVU will have a HUGE advantage.

The surrounding schools around WVU simply aren't in as competitive of a conference. Pitt is going to the ACC, Virginia Tech is already in the league, and the only other league in comparison is the Big 10.

The sky is the limit in West Virginia, and the coaches will take advantage.

Holgorsen for Coach of the Year

I will admit, I had my doubts about the hire when Oliver Luck announced we hired the former offensive coordinator from Oklahoma State.

Those doubts have completely been diminished. This guy can flat out coach.

Now before WVU fans freak out and cry about how he will be hired away, there is one thing that needs to be understood.

Coaching in the Big East and the Big 12 are two fundamentally different things. 

Now with elite competition the Mountaineers will not only have the revenue and facilities to attract great coaches, they will have the money to keep them.

In years past that was simply not possible; who wants to play Rutgers?

If the Mountaineers pull a Big 12 title, or a one loss season, I would not be surprised at all if Holgorsen wins the top honor as the best coach in all of college football.