2009-10 West Virginia Mountaineer Football Team Review

West Virginia Mountaineers look poised for another run at the Big East title in 2009 as well as earning the conferences Bowl Championship Series game under the leadership of second year coach Bill Stewart. Losing one of the all-time greats in Pat White has put the hopes of the season on the seasoned veteran Jarrett Brown as the field general leading the Mountaineer offense. Jarrett Brown has a strong arm and can read defenses with the best of them. However, one weakness of the Mountaineers will be having a proven backup in case Jarrett Brown goes down with an injury. The Mountaineers have Bradley Stark and the younger brother of Pat White, Coley White, as potential backups with none of the two having any real-time experience in playing calling in the Big East.

Offense

Jarrett Brown will take the reins of quarterbacking the offense this year which will be more pass balanced than years past. In the backfield with Brown will be junior Noel Devine and his electric speed alongside Jock Sanders playing a slot receiver position. Both bring speed and athleticism to the Mountaineer offense. Will Johnson and Ryan Clarke will rotate playing fullback leading the path for Devine and Sanders. Tight end start will be sophomore sensation Tyler Urban who played as a freshman and the Mountaineers will look for more contribution from him this year. At wide receiver the Mountaineers will start senior Alric Arnett and senior Wes Lyons who had a great spring practice and will be the go to man for Jarrett Brown this season. Look for freshman Logan Heastie to make a contribution as well as he learns the system as the season progresses. Anchoring the offensive line will be leader is senior Selvish Capers where alongside him will be sophomore Josh Jenkins, Jon Walko, Jeff Braun, John Bassler and Don Barclay rotating the offensive line.

Hopes on the season will depend on how quick the young offensive line picks up the offense and blocking schemes implored by the Mountaineer coaches. All of the guys have the talent, but learning the systems takes time. Selvish Capers will have to step up and lead the line so Devine and Brown can kick in the high octane offense that has been a tradition of the Mountaineers over the last few years.

Defense

The Mountaineer defense should be strong as any in the league with guys that have a lot of experience. Jeff Casteel's defense should keep the Mountaineers in a lot of games this season. Returning are Reed Williams who has recovered from a shoulder injury. Scooter Berry, Chris Neild and Julian Miller should have a big season this year in leading the defensive line. The secondary should be strong with Brandon Hogan, Nate Sowers, Robert Sands and Eain Smith providing pass coverage. Big hitting J.T. Thomas and Pat Lazear providing rush defense up the middle.

Overall the defense should be one of the strongest in the nation. The Mountaineers will need the defense to provide stops so the young Mountaineer offense can stay on the field and improve and get the young guys playing time before the heart of the schedule comes up.

The 2009 West Virginia Mountaineers have the talent, but learning the system will be a critical key in determining the outcome of many games that the Mountaineers will have this year. Auburn the third game of the season and Pitt the eleventh game of the season will be high profile games in defining if the Mountaineers are ready for a BCS game come January 2010. Jarrett Brown will have to carry the load and if he can't the Mountaineers will be lost without any experienced quarterback leading the offense. The West Virginia Mountaineers will go as far as Jarret Brown can go even with one of the top college football defenses around.