Quarterbacks

It was bound to happen, a disastrous performance by Greg Paulus. After being away from the game for four years, a five-interception game like last weekend was bound to happen. Syracuse hopes he got it out of his system. Outside of a similar implosion against Auburn, Jarrett Brown has been very efficient for West Virginia. Both quarterbacks have one go-to receiver and are very accurate. Call this one a draw.

Advantage: Even

Running Backs

After a disappointing first half last week against Colorado, Noel Devine gave his head coach a message – ‘Give me the rock.’ Roger that. Devine finished with 220 yards and WVU won 35-24. Delone Carter has been solid, if not spectacular, but Devine gets the nod here. In two years he has made Steve Slaton nothing but a distant memory.

Advantage: West Virginia

Wide Receivers

Single coverage, double coverage, zone, it really hasn’t mattered. Mike Williams keeps getting open and keeps making plays. After last week’s 14-catch performance, the junior wideout now leads the Big East in receptions and receiving yards. Five-foot-seven Jock Sanders had a similar explosion two weeks ago against Auburn (12 rec., 115 yards, 1 touchdown), but he’s no Williams. Expect Syracuse to go to Williams throughout Saturday’s game. It’d be nice if Alec Lemon, Donte Davis or another wideout stepped up, but it might not matter.

Advantage: Syracuse

OFFENSIVE LINE: West Virginia is averaging 208.5 yards on the ground and it’s offensive line has paved the way for 10 rushing touchdowns. It has also only yielded six sacks. Syracuse’s offensive line, while improving, has given up 12 sacks and only averages 94 yards on the ground. SU needs its running game and o-line to get going.

Advantage: West Virginia

DEFENSIVE LINE: Both units are especially stout against the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Syracuse is better in each category, though, with one more sack on the season and allowing almost five yards fewer on the ground per game. Syracuse has the advantage, but needs Art Jones at full health.

Advantage: Syracuse

LINEBACKERS: West Virginia will have the best linebacker on the field in Reed Williams and its starting unit has done a great job this year with nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Syracuse’s converted group of offensive players is holding its own and is playing consistent ball, but just is not as strong as WVU.

Advantage: West Virginia

Secondary

This position will likely be a key to the game. West Virginia’s secondary has been solid in all of its wins, but broke down in its only loss of the season. Meanwhile, the Orange secondary is reeling after getting picked apart by B.J. Daniels to the tune of 208 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. The group will get more of the same from Mountaineers quarterback Jarrett Brown, who manages the game with precision passing and the ability to scramble.

Advantage: West Virginia

Special Teams

The SU special teams continues to be a bright spot for the Orange, as both Rob Long and Ryan Litchtenstein have been arguably the Big East’s best punter/place kicker combination thus far this season. But West Virginia place kicker Tyler Bitancurt has nailed all five of his field goals and 16 of 17 of his extra point attempts. Also take into account that Jock Sanders and Noel Devine return kicks for the Mountaineers and you have a distinct advantage.

Advantage: West Virginia

Coaching

Neither Syracuse’s Doug Marrone or West Virginia’s Bill Stewart have a substantial amount of experience as a head coach in the Big East. But both have their respective fans bases buzzing at the moment. Despite a 2-3 record, Marrone has restored hope in the Orange fan base and appears to have SU headed in the upward direction. Stewart, in only his second year leading the Mountaineers, has WVU at 3-1 in spite of losing arguably the best player in program history in quarterback Pat White.

Advantage: Even

Published on October 8, 2009 at 12:00 pm