West Virginia Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 05: Dana Holgorsen and the West Virginia Mountaineers prepare to take the field against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on November 5, 2016 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 05: Dana Holgorsen and the West Virginia Mountaineers prepare to take the field against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on November 5, 2016 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

The East Carolina Pirates sail into Morgantown for a Week 2 matchup after opening their season against James Madison University.

Gardner Minshew is expected to steer the ship for the Pirates on offense. Playing in seven games last year, he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions.

The Pirates defense wasn’t able to make up for their shortcomings on offense a year ago, surrendering 36.1 points per game — 110th out of 128 teams.

The Mountaineers last played East Carolina in 2009 and defeated the Pirates 35-20. That was before Holgorsen took over as head coach and all those players from both teams’ are gone. Don’t expect a different outcome though, as WVU football’s handled their non-Power 5 schedule with ease.

The Mountaineers really get their offense going in game No. 2, but it’s the defense that really steps up; the sellout crowd at Milan Puskar Stadium was a nice touch too. WVU’s superior athletes will certainly shine against ECU. Holgorsen’s used a stable of running backs last season, with three of them returning: Justin Crawford, Kennedy McKoy and Martell Pettway.

If things get out of hand and the ‘Eers start to chomp up the clock, all three could see carry totals into double digits.

 Prediction: East Carolina 13, WVU 38 (2-0)