West Virginia football is coming off a tough loss to Missouri, but has to get back on track when it hosts NS State. How can they beat the Wolfpack?
Neal Brown’s first road game as head coach of the WVU football program was a complete letdown. The offense scored only once, the defense couldn’t stop a nose bleed, and the game plan didn’t seem to have a chance at working. But, the show must go on.
Hosting former WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson and North Carolina State should brighten things for Mountaineer fans, as they all know how his defenses have struggled in the past. But so far for the Wolfpack, Gibson’s unit has allowed just two field goals in as many games. The good thing, though, is that the Wolfpack hasn’t played anybody. Home games against East Carolina and Western Carolina aren’t exactly schedule boosters, save for the fact they are easy victories.
None of that means West Virginia automatically wins, but it does shed some light on who their upcoming opponent is. To see scores of 34-6 and 41-0 on an opponent’s schedule can be daunting, but Mountaineer fans shouldn’t worry.
Brown and his staff are still searching for players that fit their mold — he repeatedly talked about physicality in his Tuesday press conference — and we’ll see if and when that happens. It won’t come at the flick of a switch, but any flashes will show the future is bright. And with the future in mind, here are three keys to a victory against N.C. State on Saturday.