West Virginia: Top 5 Reasons It Will Have a Top 5 Offense in 2011

Look back at the 2010 season for West Virginia and you will see nothing but disappointment.  Sure West Virginia had the best defense in school history, not to mention it was ranked 3rd nationally, but it was all  thrown away with a lousy offense.  Here is a look at the top 5 reasons West Virginia will have a top 5 offense 2011. 

#5 Stedman Bailey

Bailey started having an impact in the later stages of the 2010 season.  With Bailey and Geno Smith playing together at Miramar High School, their chemistry should only grow stronger during the next few years.  Stedman had 24 catches for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2010.  With Sanders off to the NFL look for these number to increase in a major way in 2011. 

#4 Tavon Austin

Probably the best offensive weapon the Mountaineers have coming back, Tavon has a chance to be special in 2011.  He led the team in receiving yards (787) and receiving touchdowns (8) in 2010, with an occasional touch in the backfield.  New Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen will be looking for ways to get the ball in Austin’s hands.  Create some space and watch him go!

#3 Geno Smith

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers warms up during the Champs Sports Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/G

With his first full season as a starter under his belt look for Geno to flourish in Holgorsen’s offense.  Smith completed nearly 65% of his passes and had an impressive 24 touchdown tosses as a first year starter.  Look for Geno to throw for over 30 TD’s next season.  The only concern is Smith’s second foot surgery in as many years.  Keep that foot healthy and look for Geno to do big things in 2011. 

#2 Dana Holgorsen

Numbers don’t lie.  Holgorsen is one of the most successful Offensive Coordinators in the country.  His numbers as a first year Coordinator at Houston and Oklahoma State are impressive:

Houston 2008 – 562.8 yards per game (2^nd nationally) and 40.6 points per game (10^th nationally).

Oklahoma State 2010 – 520.2 yards per game (3^rd nationally) and 44.2 points per game (3^rd nationally). 

Look for Holgorsen to continue that streak in Morgantown with a talented group of players returning.

#1 Jeff Mullen

As important as who is coming back, it is equally important who is not coming back.  Jeff really struggled during his 3 seasons as Offensive Coordinator for West Virginia.  He always seemed to have the first 15 plays scripted to perfection but could never make adjustments during the game.  You cannot blame Jeff for everything.  In his 3 seasons as Offensive Coordinator he had 3 different starting quarterbacks, which is tough for anyone to overcome.