Marshall at No. 11 West Virginia – Week 1 Predictions

Marshall at No. 11 West Virginia

Kickoff: 11am

TV: FX

Line: WV -22

The West Virginia Mountaineers are coming off a 10-3 season a year ago with a 70-33 victory in the

Orange Bowl over Clemson and now are poised to make a bigger splash under second year Head Coach Dana Holgerson as the enter the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers will enter the Big 12 as contenders for the conference title and will start the season at home on national television.

The Marshall Thundering Herd finished the 2011 season with a 7-6 record and a victory over Florida International in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl last season. Third year coach Doc Holliday will look to give the Herd a victory over their in-state rivals for the first time in school history.

Why West Virginia might win…

West Virginia Quarterback Geno Smith is the best quarterback in the Big 12 and the “Air Raid” offense will be even better for season two in Morgantown. Marshall will need a mighty effort to stop the Mountaineers Offense from rolling to light up the scoreboard. Marshall Defensive lineman Jeremiah Taylor will cause havoc for the West Virginia offensive line, but will need help from his Herd teammates.

Why Marshall might win…

Marshall will be able to put points on the board in this game with receiving threat Aaron Dobson looking to improve on his 2011 season where he hauled in 12 touchdowns with 668 yards receiving. The defense will face a tough test trying to stop the Mountaineers and will have their hands full with a receiving corps that has only gotten deeper and more experienced since last season.

What will happen

West Virginia has better athletes than Marshall with more experience and that superior talent should make this game easy, even if it’s a “rivalry” game.

West Virginia 54

Marshall 21