West Virginia : WVU 2014 Football: What Going To Happen?

WVU struggled last year. With a rotating QB situation, and arguably the worst defense in the NCAA, the Mountaineers were routed to a 4 -8 record and no bowl appearance. Needless to say, it was an embarrassment for all WVU alumni and fans. However, 2015 looks to be different. And actually, needs to be different, or heads will roll.
Mountaineer Head Coach Dana Holgorsen is in a do or die situation. He replaced the late Bill Stewart, WVU Head coach from 2007 to 2010. Bill led the Mountaineers to a Fiesta Bowl victory over Big 12 Champion Oklahoma in his first game as coach in 2007. Bill then went 9-4 in each of his 3 full seasons as head coach. But 9-4 was no longer acceptable, and Bill was let go. WVU has grown over the decades to be a force within the NCAA. The expectations have drastically changed over the years. The Mountaineers are without a National Championship. The fans and alumni are aching for one, this blog writer included. So the message was sent, 9-4 would no longer do. WVU AD Oliver Luck went with an up and coming new coach from the very conference they were joining, the Big 12. Dana Holgorsen was the talk of the town when WVU signed him. He was going to led us down the road to glory. But so far that road has been a rough one. Dana is 21-17 in his first three seasons, Bill was 28-12. With the Mountaineer's abysmal record last year, 4-8, Dana should realize that he is in the hot seat. And I am sure he does. So where are his mountaineers? And what needs to happen for him to stay as head coach?
The Mountaineers look a lot better than they did last year. Coach Holgorsen has a vibrant, young team. That fact combined with QB Clint Trickett having a year under his belt with this offense, puts the Mountaineers in a much better position than they were a year ago. Even with a surgically repaired shoulder, Trickett should have a good year. He also has a strong back up in Paul Millard. Highly touted freshman QB William Crest Jr. will be a return man this year. The Mountaineers are also deep at the running back position and the receiving corps looks good, The O-Line is young, but should be healthy and much improved. The Offense is not the big question this year, the Defense is the enigma of this team. Tony Gibson comes in as their 4th Defensive Coordinator in as many years. His Defense is healthier than last year, and many of his younger players have experience due to last years injuries. After being dead last in 3rd downs in the NCAA last year, the defense can go no where but up. And Gibson looks to be able to take them there. He needs to get more heat on the QB, and is focusing the defense in that direction. With edge rushers Shaquille Riddick and Noble Nwachukwu on the D-Line, third downs should be very different this year.
As for Holgorsen's job, this blogger sees four things that need to happen:
1. WVU must have a winning record.
2. WVU must go to a bowl.
3. WVU must win their Bowl game.
4. WVU must have one major upset this year. And their schedule offers plenty of opportunity to do so. Starting with Alabama in the first game. (I doubt very seriously that it will happen, but wouldn't it be nice?)
In all honesty, if Coach Holgorsen does the first two, he should retain his job. Although numbers 3 and 4 would lock him into the job. I think AD Oliver Luck needs to give him ample opportunity to build a team. The transition from Stewart to Holgorsen was handled poorly. And I think it has had some long term effects. I'm not blaming the horrible 2013 season on it, but I believe the entire situation at WVU right now is still affected by it, If there is ample progress in the program this year, Coach Holgosen should keep his job.
So my prediction? WVU goes 7-5, 8-4 if they're lucky. They will go to a minor bowl, and win it. As for the first game against Alabama? Alabama is also an enigma this year. But they should be a Top 10 team. WVU will begin it's season with a loss, hopefully not a bad one. As for Coach Holgosen: He'll keep his job and hopefully lead us to great seasons in the future.

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