A healthy Noel Devine and an offense that really does not turn the ball over that much with the exception of two games this year and I love West Virginia. They clicked down the stretch to 37, 17, 35, and 35 point totals down the stretch. NC State is a team that had 24 take aways and that's how they win along with the arm of Russel Wilson who will be the biggest key in this game. Geno Smith threw just 6 int's on the year and with Devine back in the mix you can bet the fumbling issues (7 times at Uconn) won't be an issue here.
Now both these teams have two common opponents in Maryland and Cinci. West Virginia blasted Maryland at home 31-17 and racked up 260 more yards while NC State failed in their last game at Maryland 31-38 as they only were +25 yards. That game was a devastating blow it took them out of the ACC title game and I wonder how up they will be for this game. Then Cinci scores were pretty even as Nc State won 30-19 at home +108 yards and West Virginia won 37-10 +138 yards.
This is the best defense NC State will face all year and when Russel Wilson has thrown an INT in each of his last 9 games and has a one dimensional attack as they are ranked 93rd in running the ball the Mountaineers can concentrate on a pass rush they were 3rd in the nation in sacking the QB and forcing turnovers. This is one of the most talented secondaries in the nation one that features 3 all stars and they've only given up 5 TD passes in their last 9 games. The 3-3-5 scheme will really frustrate Wilson and is a perfect game plan against a pass happy team in my opinion. This is a dynamic defense and they are facing an offense that can put up points, but it all comes through the air I'll always take a dominant defense over a one dimensional offense. Look for Geno Smith to have a nice accurate game as he led the Big East in pass efficiency and for Noel Devine to make some noise in his last game in college.
