Mountaineer Monday: Breakdown, Prediction for WVU-Connecticut

Instead of seeing a haze of blue and gold victory this past Saturday, the Mountaineers were forced to see the rebuilding Syracuse Orange leave Morgantown with a win after some poor play calling by the WVU coaching staff.

With the next game coming this Friday night in Connecticut, the shock of the loss will need to be shaken off so that the Mountaineers can keep the possibility of a Big East Championship a realistic goal for the remainder of the season.

With that being said, lets get to the breakdown of the game…

This article is also featured on A Blue and Gold State of Mind.

History

First Meeting: October 13^th, 2004

Overall Record: WVU leads the series 6-0-0

Biggest WVU Win: November 11^th, 2007 – WVU 66, Connecticut 21

Biggest UConn Win: N/A

West Virginia National Rankings

Total Offense: 363 yards per game (70^th in the nation)

Passing Offense: 220 Yards per game (61^st in the nation)

Rushing Offense: 142 Yards per game (73^rd in the nation)

Total Defense: 245 yards per game (4^th in the nation)

Passing Defense: 148 yards per game (4^th in the nation)

Rushing Defense: 97 yards per game (11^th in the nation)

Connecticut National Rankings

Total Offense: 347 yards per game (77^th in the nation)

Passing Offense: 163 yards per game (102^nd in the nation)

Rushing Offense: 183 Yards per game (33^rd in the nation)

Total Defense: 357 yards per game (55^th in the nation)

Passing Defense: 206 yards per game (56^th in the nation)

Rushing Defense: 151 yards per game (61^st in the nation)

Quarterbacks

WVU, Geno Smith – 141-214 Attempts, 1536 Yards, 15 Touchdowns, Five Interceptions

UConn, Zach Frazer – 53-99 Attempts, 605 Yards, Two Touchdowns, Interception

EDGE: WVU

Running Backs

WVU, Noel Devine – 127 Carries, 626 Yards, Four Touchdowns

UConn, Jordan Todman – 141 Carries, 841 Yards, Eight Touchdowns

EDGE: WVU

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

WVU, Tavon Austin – 37 Catches, 445 Yards, Three Touchdowns

UConn, Michael Smith – 24 Catches, 414 Yards, Two Touchdowns

EDGE: WVU

Offensive Line

Combined Experience of WVU Offensive Line: Four Seniors, Six Juniors

Combined Experience of UConn Offensive Line: Two Seniors, Three Juniors, Four Sophomores, Eight Freshman

EDGE: WVU

Defensive Line

WVU, Scooter Berry – Nine Tackles, Two Sacks, 

UConn, Jesse Joseph – 16 Tackles, Four Sacks, Forced Fumbles

EDGE: WVU

Linebackers

WVU, Anthony Leonard – 20 Tackles, Sack, Forced Fumble

UConn, Lawrence Wilson – 39 Tackles, Two Sacks

EDGE: WVU

Defensive Backs

WVU, Keith Tandy – Four Interceptions, 16 Tackles, Forced Fumble

UConn, Jerome Junior – Two Interceptions, 17 Tackles

EDGE: WVU

Special Teams

WVU, Tyler Bitancurt – 22-22 PAT Attempts, 7 of 10 Field Goal Attempts

UConn, Dave Teggart – 22-22 PAT Attempts, 9-14 Field Goal Attempts

EDGE: WVU

Prediction & Upcoming Schedule

Score: West Virginia 28-20

Next Game for WVU: vs. Cincinnati on November 13^th, 2010

Next Game for Connecticut: vs. Pittsburgh on November 11^th, 2010