With Pat White, Steve Slaton and Darius Reynaud returning, West Virginia should once again be in the national championship derby. And according to Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez, such talk is old hat.

“It’s kind of commonplace around here now,” Rodriguez says. “I don’t know if it was big news last year, but now it’s not even worth mentioning. The hype is kind of expected, like it is at a couple other programs.”

A couple other places, perhaps, with much bigger athletic budgets. Few, though, have as many marquee names and a schedule that’s quite as favorable.

“We have some veterans returning on both sides of the ball,” Rodriguez says. “We have a little more defensively than we had last year, which is a good thing. Offensively, we lose a key at center in Dan Mozes. That’s a lot of leadership up front. But we do have some talented guys to replace him. And with Owen (Schmitt), Pat (White), Steve (Slaton) and Darius (Reynaud) back, we have four of our biggest playmakers.”

Rodriguez does need better play from his secondary and a downfield receiver to emerge to replace Brandon Myles if Big East and national title hopes are to be realized. 

Quarterbacks
Choose your poison: speed to burn, speed and mass, or a downfield passer. West Virginia boasts it all this season in White, Jarrett Brown and Adam Bednarik. “Quarterback may be the strength of our team,” Rodriguez says. “All three have won games for us. They’ve all started games and understand our system. … If we can keep them all happy — and as coaches we have to get them all involved — we’re in good shape because they are all good enough to win with.” White is the returning Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Perhaps the nation’s fastest quarterback, he also is a very efficient passer. With one more attempt last season, he would have ranked among the nation’s top 12 in passing efficiency. He was the nation’s No. 16 rusher, averaging 101.6 yards per game. “He’s more confident in what we’re doing,” Rodriguez says. “He’s more confident in what he’s doing. He’s still hungry to keep getting better — and that’s a key.” White needs to continue working on his passing mechanics, specifically developing a quicker release, but his football IQ and speed make up for most ills. Brown started the regular-season finale against Rutgers and helped win the game.

Running Backs
West Virginia is in great shape in the backfield — as long as Heisman Trophy candidate Slaton stays healthy. The Mountaineers have no proven backup, although highly regarded late signee Noel Devine could prove to be both another serious threat. Another incoming freshman, Terence Kerns, could also make a contribution, though he is recovering from a knee injury. Slaton, meanwhile, is recovering from wrist surgery. But the blazing junior should be set for the opener. “Steve’s a fast, explosive guy,” Rodriguez says. “He’s played the last year and a half with a bad wrist. That should all be taken care of. He should now be able to use both hands effectively. Plus, he’s gotten a little bigger, stronger and faster.” Slaton was held out of contact drills during the spring, giving backups Ed Collington, Eddie Davis and Jetavious Best repetitions, though there was little separation. Another option is to put Schmitt, a rugged yet speedy fullback and fan favorite, at tailback. Max Anderson, the backup fullback, has been a nice surprise. Schmitt also played tight end during the spring.

Receivers
While the quarterback and running back positions are strengths, the receiving corps is a sore spot. Only Reynaud has proven to be a serious threat. The speedy slot receiver had 39 receptions for 520 yards but is just as dangerous on reverses. “Darius had a very productive (last) year,” Rodriguez says. “I think he’ll get better, especially in blocking. He’s explosive. We like his ability in the open field against nickel backs and linebackers.” After Reynaud, though, Rodriguez is searching. Former quarterback Nate Sowers and former running back Jeremy Bruce will get looks at wideout. Dorrell Jalloh and Tito Gonzales are solid but not spectacular. Rodriguez hopes Wes Lyons will fulfill his potential and emerge as a threat. The Mountaineers could also look to a newcomer; true freshman Andrew Harris or late junior college signee Alric Arnett are the top candidates.

2007 Schedule
S. 1	Western Michigan	W
S. 8	at Marshall	W
S. 13	at Maryland	W
S. 22	East Carolina	W
S. 29	at South Florida	W
O. 6	at Syracuse	W
O. 20	Mississippi State	W
O. 27	at Rutgers	*
N. 8	Louisville	*
N. 17	at Cincinnati	W
N. 24	Connecticut	W
D. 1	Pittsburgh	W
Games in bold represent swing games. W or L indicates a projected win or loss.

Offensive Linemen
WVU had the nation’s No. 2 rushing attack last season and has some returning talent along the offensive line. There are, however, questions. Specifically, can Mike Dent effectively replace Mozes, the Rimington Award winner, at center, and can former South Florida assistant Greg Frey effectively replace line guru Rick Trickett, who bolted to Florida State? Also gone is All-Big East guard Jeremy Sheffey. “The only concern is at center, where Dan was a multi-year starter, a smart guy who got everyone else on the same page,” Rodriguez says. Second-team All-Big East pick Ryan Stanchek, a left tackle, will have to provide the leadership. Right tackle Jake Figner and left guard Greg Isdaner are solid, although Isdaner missed spring drills with a bad shoulder. WVU’s coaches are high on redshirt freshman right guard Eric Rodemoyer. Expect him to start. But the Mountaineers lack depth.

Defensive Linemen
This should be a strength. Four lettermen return, including tackle Keilen Dykes, who considered jumping to the NFL. “He’s been a solid force for us,” Rodriguez says. “He wants to prove he’s one of the better linemen in our league.” Dykes was a first-team All-Big East selection last season. And running mate Johnny Dingle, who had 5.5 tackles for a loss, is back at end. The only concern is whether Doug Slavonic, who played in seven games last season, can handle the nose position and allow Dykes to stay at tackle. If Slavonic and Thor Merrow can handle the position, WVU is in terrific shape. James Ingram, who started five games last season, can then back up Dykes.  

Linebackers 
WVU lost some speed at linebacker when the eligibility of Kevin “Boo” McLee expired. The Mountaineer coaches think that speed can be replaced by newcomer J.T. Thomas, whose father also played in Morgantown. Thomas, a redshirt freshman, is expected to take over the weak-side linebacker spot. West Virginia also has a trio of rugged and intelligent linebackers in middle men Reed Williams and Bobby Hathaway and outside man Marc Magro, who is coming off a knee injury. At the strong-side backer position, look for Johnny Holmes, who played out of position last season in the secondary, to emerge.

Defensive Backs 
The Mountaineers’ backfield cost the school a run at a national title in 2006. The secondary ranked 109th nationally in pass defense. “I think, though, we have more competition there than there’s been in several years,” Rodriguez says. “We feel comfortable enough that we moved Holmes to linebacker.” Mountaineer fans and opposing coaches, though, will be skeptical if, as expected, Larry Williams and Antonio Lewis again line up as the starting cornerbacks. Junior college transfers Ellis Lankster and Tony Wood offer hope as do sophomores Boogie Allen and Guesly Dervil. Bandit Eric Wicks, a first-team All-Big East selection, is excellent. Sophomore Quinton Andrews should be better after a year under fire at free safety. Ridwan Malik will start at spur, but true freshman Sidney Glover may make an immediate impact. 

Specialists 
WVU junior Pat McAfee stole the kicking show last season. And he’ll most like continue both as the Mountaineers’ placekicker and punter in 2007. “It makes you a little nervous though,” Rodriguez says. “You have to watch his work load.” West Virginia lost dependable long snapper Tim Lindsey, but the coaches feel good about replacement Adam Hughes, who had a fine spring. The return unit of Vaughn Rivers, Lewis, Reynaud — and possibly Slaton — should be productive. 

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