Topic: H-D: Smith ready to lead WVU football

[ZackUSAF82]

ANDREW RAMSPACHER
The Herald-Dispatch

EDITOR'S NOTE: This the first of a 12-part series previewing Marshall's opponents for the upcoming football series.

HUNTINGTON -- When the pigskin kicks off at 3:30 p.m., on this particular September afternoon with Marshall in Morgantown, it will officially end the off-the-field circus that went with the West Virginia University football program these past seven months.

Obviously the story's been well-chronicled, but here's a quick recap: WVU athletic director Oliver Luck, frustrated with coach Bill Stewart after back-to-back losses to Connecticut and Syracuse, went searching for Stewart's replacement. He ended with Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who was tagged "head coach-in-waiting" on Dec. 16. The plan was for Stewart to remain in charge for one final season until Holgorsen, the planned WVU offensive coordinator in 2011, took over in 2012.

Sounded like an idea, right? But, ohh, then came the offseason. And the casino incident. And the comings-out of a story involving Stewart telling a media member to "dig up dirt" on Holgorsen. And the rumors swirling around the security of jobs of both men.

Finally, Luck came up with his solution: Stewart was out, Holgorsen was in. On June 10, Holgorsen was officially introduced as head coach for this season. As for Stewart, he resigned.

Link: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x1652337194/Smith-ready-to-lead-WVU-football

[Marshallguy04]

2011's wvu could end up looking like ecu's 2010 team. Lots of offense, no defense.

Much of Holgorsen's issues is going to be with the ability of wvu vs. the ability of Oklahoma State. State is, by all means, better than wvu top to bottom. Can Holgorsen execute an effective offense with lesser players in a 1st year system in a game where your in-state rival's best element is an intact secondary and a potential nation best DE?

Don't be intimidated by this article, Marshall can beat wvu...Holgs has no idea who Marshall is...and thats good!

[Apollo]

I thought he was with Houston a couple years ago when they were here and our D lit up case keenum?

[Marshallguy04]

I thought he was with Houston a couple years ago when they were here and our D lit up case keenum?

Yes he was and yes, Kase had absolutely zero productivity against our defense.

[herd2win]

True about the Houston game but that is not relevant to this game.  Snyder was the coach then, so our defense is different.

[wvmafia]

The Mullet may or may not be successful in implementing his offense at the WHO this year.  His offenses have put up huge numbers everywhere he's been.  With that said, I think we are at a distinct advantage getting to play them in their (and our) first game of the season.  The system is a radical change and our defense is solid.  That, plus that fact that defenses are almost always ahead of defenses for the first couple of games every season, I think this one is supremely winnable.

[HerdnClt]

How can Geno lead when he is on his back?....Sack time against these dudes... and must be 5 o'clock sometime...Very winnable game..

[Apollo]

How can Geno lead when he is on his back?....Sack time against these dudes... and must be 5 o'clock sometime...Very winnable game..

Not to mention they've already lost a lineman before fall practice starts. I see a big day for Vinny & Co.

[Marshallguy04]

The Mullet may or may not be successful in implementing his offense at the WHO this year.  His offenses have put up huge numbers everywhere he's been.  With that said, I think we are at a distinct advantage getting to play them in their (and our) first game of the season.  The system is a radical change and our defense is solid.  That, plus that fact that defenses are almost always ahead of defenses for the first couple of games every season, I think this one is supremely winnable.

Ah love the confidence! Swagger doesn't leave some elements of Marshall...some of the fans still got it, lol.

I forgot about their lineman who they lost to injury...that's huge for us as you need an intact line to make this offense work.

I've been wondering, does anyone know if Holgs runs a mobile running QB or just a pocket passer?

[wvmafia]

Ah love the confidence! Swagger doesn't leave some elements of Marshall...some of the fans still got it, lol.

I forgot about their lineman who they lost to injury...that's huge for us as you need an intact line to make this offense work.

I've been wondering, does anyone know if Holgs runs a mobile running QB or just a pocket passer?

His past successes have been lined up in the "pistol", takes 2-3 steps and the ball is out...VERY rare that you get sacks against this offense.  Very few balls travel more than 7 yards down field in the air...it's a RAC offense.

[Marshallguy04]

His past successes have been lined up in the "pistol", takes 2-3 steps and the ball is out...VERY rare that you get sacks against this offense.  Very few balls travel more than 7 yards down field in the air...it's a RAC offense.

I came to Marshall in '04 (no, really? lol) and I recall Stan Hill and Marshall running a similiar style to what you're saying.
If I am correct...not many long bombs but more of a 7 yd flats pass?

So a key element is a quick release? Hmm...

However, we struggled against Troy...not to say he won't be as good, but we have our own version of DeMarcus Ware, lol.

[wvmafia]

I came to Marshall in '04 (no, really? lol) and I recall Stan Hill and Marshall running a similiar style to what you're saying.
If I am correct...not many long bombs but more of a 7 yd flats pass?

So a key element is a quick release? Hmm...

However, we struggled against Troy...not to say he won't be as good, but we have our own version of DeMarcus Ware, lol.

Watched some YouTube video last night of the Mullet's offenses and it is SLANT, after SLANT, after SLANT...nothing in the video went more than 11 yards downfield and many of the passes were caught within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage.

[Marshallguy04]

Watched some YouTube video last night of the Mullet's offenses and it is SLANT, after SLANT, after SLANT...nothing in the video went more than 11 yards downfield and many of the passes were caught within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage.

So an intact secondary, like we have, is effective?

[wvmafia]

So an intact secondary, like we have, is effective?

If you play press coverage, you have to be SUPREMELY good tacklers.  If you watch some of the highlights of his past offenses, you'll see that his teams throw a lot of 60+ yard touchdown passes where the football travels less than 10 yards in the air and an athletic receiver breaks a tackle and takes it to the house.

[MarshallGrad]

I read over and over last year that our offense did not perform well because they were not recruited for doc's style. Shouldn't that apply to wvu as well?

[wvmafia]

I read over and over last year that our offense did not perform well because they were not recruited for doc's style. Shouldn't that apply to wvu as well?

Yes, that's why I think that getting them game one of a year with a new coach and system that we have our best chance ever going in...last year we shocked ourselves...this year, I truly believe that we have our best chance in the modern era of the series.

[Marshallguy04]

Yes, that's why I think that getting them game one of a year with a new coach and system that we have our best chance ever going in...last year we shocked ourselves...this year, I truly believe that we have our best chance in the modern era of the series.

Good point my friend.
One thing is for sure...they won't take us lightly...
Then again...holgs doesn't know much about us...at all!

So mafia, what you're saying is his offense creates alot of 1 on 1 opportunities...and if we have great tacklers, it severely limits any movement? I wonder if we have any mismatches we can create.
I know this wvu team isnt Houston but if the same emntality is there, just rattling Geno will belp us because he's gotta have no interruptions since he's now having to be a few step drop pass QB.
I dont want to be overly critical of Holgorsen's offenses, they are very good, but it sounds like he has alot of luck in broken tackles that really help him score.
Hopefully we master form tackling real fast.

[Apollo]

Good point my friend.
One thing is for sure...they won't take us lightly...
Then again...holgs doesn't know much about us...at all!

So mafia, what you're saying is his offense creates alot of 1 on 1 opportunities...and if we have great tacklers, it severely limits any movement? I wonder if we have any mismatches we can create.
I know this wvu team isnt Houston but if the same emntality is there, just rattling Geno will belp us because he's gotta have no interruptions since he's now having to be a few step drop pass QB.
I dont want to be overly critical of Holgorsen's offenses, they are very good, but it sounds like he has alot of luck in broken tackles that really help him score.
Hopefully we master form tackling real fast.

One can hope. That's been our biggest defensive weakness the past 5 years or so.