It was a tricky loss final week towards a very good Oklahoma State workforce. Now it’s time to shift our focus towards a workforce that I’m not fairly certain I do know definitively if they’re both good or dangerous. I’m after all speaking in regards to the Iowa State Cyclones. If Oklahoma State has handed West Virginia some dangerous losses through the years, then Iowa State is true behind them. So after all we ge them back-to-back.
That is one other massive alternative for Wealthy Rodriguez 2.0 in yr two. A win will get you to 4-1 which matches your win complete from yr one, you decide up your first convention win of the season, it units you up properly to be bowl eligible, and it most likely will get you some AP votes relying on the way you maintain enterprise. Right here’s some issues you need to search for Saturday at midday.
What’s the Response After Dropping a First Convention Sport
Dropping a recreation isn’t enjoyable, and dropping a convention recreation is even much less enjoyable. Each WVU and Iowa State has the displeasure of dropping their first Massive XII Convention video games final week. Whereas beginning out 0-1 isn’t supreme, it doesn’t essentially finish your hopes of taking part in in Arlington, Texas at seasons’ finish. Nevertheless, beginning 0-2 to open up Convention play DOES considerably impression your hopes of taking part in in Arlington.
Each of those groups had good alternatives to open up convention play with a win towards high quality competitors. Nevertheless, while you take a look at every workforce’s’ closing scores final week, 41-24 for WVU and 31-17 for Iowa State, you wouldn’t suppose that. Everyone knows how WVU’s recreation towards Oklahoma State went however the gist of it’s that they had their probabilities and squandered it. Iowa State had their probabilities towards a ranked Utah however squandered too many alternatives within the first half and had too massive of a deficit to beat. I’m to see how every workforce comes out this Saturday afternoon. Like I mentioned, 0-1 is doable, 0-2 is much less so.
Struggling Protection vs Struggling Offense
It’s no secret that WVU’s protection struggled final week, particularly within the second half. They couldn’t get strain, they couldn’t make contact, they tackled poorly, they usually struggled in protection. Just about, the second half of final week’s recreation is every part you DON’T need to do as a defensive unit. We’ll know what this protection’s make-up is manufactured from this week. Are they ticked off at their performances final week? Will they take it out on the Cyclones? In the event that they do this then on the very least you’re feeling good understanding you could have guys that received’t merely roll over. Nevertheless, if they arrive out flat they usually make comparable errors, then their is an overarching drawback after which you possibly can fear.
Happily for the mountaineers, they aren’t going through the Pokes offense for a second week they’re taking over the Cyclones. If WVU followers are fearful about their groups’ protection, then Iowa State followers are fearful about their offense. Coming into week 5, the Cyclones have handed for a complete of 659 yards and 5 TDs and rushed for 722 yards and eight TDs. For reference, Cam Cook dinner himself has 510 yards and three TDs. It’s been a battle for the Cyclones. This is a chance for each of those items to “win the day” and provides themselves some confidence. Both of these items goes to should dig deep and provides their groups an opportunity. I’m curious to see which unit is ready to come out on prime.
Which Quarterback Can Make a Play (Via the Air)
Michael Hawkins Jr. has been electrical to begin the yr, particularly on the bottom. He’s been capable of be a constant menace on the bottom to go together with Cam Cook dinner. He has additionally, at instances, been capable of showcase his arm and get massive performs. Nevertheless, final week, he wasn’t capable of make performs throwing the soccer when the offense wanted him to. It began to unravel on the finish of the primary half together with his first interception of the season, and continued to be disorganized within the second half. When he struggled to throw, Oklahoma State’s protection was then capable of key in and restrict his talents as a runner which halted the offense as an entire. Hawkins wants to have the ability to go to maintain up his twin menace capabilities. He doesn’t must have lengthy throws each go try, if he merely takes the layups constantly it would power defenses to begin taking part in the receivers higher which is able to open up lanes for Hakins to run throughout.
Jaylen Raynor had some twin menace capabilities as nicely, however to not the diploma of Hawkins.Raynor has struggled together with his accuracy as hes solely accomplished 54% of his passes on the season. He additionally has to take higher care of the soccer as he has three interceptions on the yr, together with two final week towards Utah which was an enormous motive they discovered themselves in a gap deep. Raynor has proven he can play at excessive degree when he was at Arkansas State the previous few seasons, it simply hasn’t all clicked in Ames.
One among these quarterbacks goes to should make performs to offer their groups a shot. Whichever one can beat the protection by way of the air constantly goes to offer themselves a very good shot.
Let’s hope the Mountaineers can get again on monitor! Let’s Go!