2023 WVU Football Season Kicks Off with Penn State Preview | Country Roads Webcast

[Music] Monday Nation let's ride [Music] but Don Leland's Mountaineers enjoy walking in Where Angels Fear To Tread [Music] as the hills of West Virginia resolve on the sounds [Music] here is Harrison trouble stiff arms a would-be tackler comes out of the 25-20 goes around about it to 15 to 10 to five a touchdown with Virginia he did it [Music] [Applause] let them know we've no doubt tonight leave no doubts tonight no doubt they shouldn't have played y'all don't move it is a great night to be a mountaineer wherever you may be foreign [Applause] and now the show brought to you by Mountaineer fans for Mountaineer fans the Country Roads webcast what's going on Mountaineer Nation welcome to game week and welcome to the first game preview and prediction show here on season six of the crw podcast we really appreciate you joining us here for this one we've got a fun one lined up we're going to start it off with a new segment for this season of the podcast that we're calling Behind Enemy Lines where we're gonna try and get with someone who covers West Virginia's opponent that week and learn a little bit more about third ball club and we had a great guest to help us do that this week in Corey from the hardcore Penn State football show really does a great job breaking down the Nittany Lion so that Mountaineer Nation can get to know their team a little bit better and what they can expect from this Penn State club and we had to get his prediction as well for the game so that'll be our first segment here coming up in episode 161 and we'll follow that up with me Big Bubba Brad and Stephen and all getting together and talking about things from the Mountaineer side and all providing our key to Victory and score prediction for the first time in the 2023 WVU football season super excited to bring you guys this one and I really think you guys are going to enjoy it really appreciate you guys tuning in whether you're tuning in watching this on the video side or listening on the audio side if you're on the video side whether it's on our Channel or on the WV Sports now channel as you can find our show on the web at wvsportsnow.com where you'll find all kinds of great Mountaineer content and we're really appreciative to be a part of the sportsnow family of networks do us a favor if you're on that video side like the video and be sure and subscribe to the channel if you're listening there on the audio side be sure share us around with other Mountaineer fans you may know but we appreciate you taking in season six episode 161 either way that you are here and we really think we've got a great episode lined up for you here to kick off the 2023 Mountaineer football season but I'll quit babbling about it and let you guys enjoy it starting off with our first Behind Enemy line segment on season six of the country roads webcast [Applause] all right Mountaineer Nation here we are with our first Behind Enemy line segment of the 2023 West Virginia football season and we're happy to be joined by Corey from the hardcore Penn State football podcast going to help give us a debrief on this year's Nittany Lions team how you doing today Corey I'm doing fantastic how are you doing Jordan I can't complain doing well doing well we're going to get into the Penn State team he's going to break it down for us both the offense and defense all aspects of this year's Club but before we do why don't you give our viewers and listeners uh let them know where they can find you on social media and where they can find your show if they want to tune in you guys do great work over there uh covering Penn State football yeah thanks I appreciate it yeah uh at hardcore psufb pretty much on every social media platform in hardcore Penn State football uh wherever you get your podcast uh just just uh State media on YouTube is the only one that's a little bit different we have a couple different shows showing up there uh on our YouTube that will be uh player driven post player driven and then our fans show as well um having said that let's get into talking a little bit about this year's Penn State team let's kick it off with what is probably known to be the strength of your all's offense the Penn State running game we know they have some excellent backs back there a couple true freshmen last season they really burst onto the scene Allen and Singleton but what can you tell us about the Run game overall the offensive line leading them up front everything about that Penn State Run game that West Virginia should be worried about with this great Nittany Lions team yeah they're they're good right um you know they provide two different kind of styles of running you have Nick Singleton who it's a little bit more of a home run hitter uh at times last year especially early in the year he struggled a little bit he wanted to bounce everything to the outside um but you definitely saw that maturation over the course of the Season where he was he was hitting the hole on in the inside and then and then realizing that he can still take things to the house even on an inside run um and then you have catron Allen who was a former IMG Academy recruit and so came in to Penn State just a little bit more polished as far as his patients as far as his vision and you can see that when he runs the ball not as quick maybe top end speed is Nick Singleton um but but Shifty and then also not afraid to run you over as well so those two guys are fantastic they brought in Minnesota running back trade pots uh from the transfer portal as a third back who provides a little bit of Veteran experience and and some leadership from that that perspective uh and then the offensive line you know it's come a long way from from two years ago they were averaging under three yards per carry two years ago rushing the football and then they got up to over 4.5 last year so huge huge change in just a matter of two years and I expect that to continue they pretty much have everybody back along the offensive line except for the center and uh and then they should be ready to rock and roll expect a lot of pulling guards expect a lot of uh I I wouldn't necessarily call it read options but uh different reading keys right where maybe the quarterback can can hand the ball off or it can throw that that little uh that little slant pass whatever the case may be I don't think you have to worry about Drew Aller running as much as Sean Clifford but he does have the ability to um if he really has to to maybe pick up a yard or two okay okay I can dig it on you know I think he presents a big enough threat with his arm as it is of course and right get into that briefly but I definitely think the match up to watching this game on both sides of the ball is going to be in the trenches and specifically here West Virginia's breaking in a lot of new defensive linemen so it's an area to watch and something that Penn State could potentially take advantage of there with their great running backs and like you said that great offensive line there but as West Virginia fans were really concerned about the Mountaineer secondary last season it really left a lot to be desired they're trying to correct that this season and hopefully you know we got our fingers crossed that they've brought in some pieces that are really going to help the Mountaineers there in the back end but Penn State has a quarterback that is likely to be a future superstar in college football tell us about Drew allar and tell us a little bit about his wide receivers as well that he has there in that Penn State passing attack yeah you know I when we were looking at West Virginia so far this year it was it was like Hey you know they they did pretty well against the run and it was really just the the back seven that kind of left a little bit more to be desired there uh I really think West Virginia just has to take the ball away more um it's amazing how takeaways help make your defense look better um and we only have four interceptions that that's just not gonna cut it so it was bad um yeah and and really I think that's an important part of this game right I mean an opportunity at times who know you know who knows how good Drew Aller is going to be right off you know from the first game I would venture to say there's going to be mistakes that happen right that's to be expected and so I think West Virginia will have to try to capitalize on those more than maybe what they did last year um but you know he's got a rocket of an arm I mean we know that for sure we've seen some practice now where he's throwing 20 30 yard bombs maybe at a higher clip than we saw in with John Clifford so there might be a little bit more trust there as far as throwing the ball further down the field as far as the wide receivers go uh I wouldn't necessarily call it a question mark but it was something that Penn State fans wanted to see an improvement on this off season and so you lose Parker Washington they actually tried to bring in a couple transfer portal guys uh Caden Prather uh was one of those guys who ended up going to Maryland um they recruited him pretty hard when he was back in high school they did bring in Dante cephas who's a transfer from Kent State um and they have four uh receivers that were freshmen last year that are coming back would they expect to see a little bit more um from those guys but the main one to worry about is keandra Lambert Smith he's the one who had the big game in the Rose Bowl um he's very flashy he's very quick kind of going to be expected to be the guy uh in the receiving courtroom he's he's got all the tools he just hasn't necessarily shown the consistency yet and so they're going to rely on him heavily but to be honest with you Jordan I I really think the tight ends are going to play a huge role in this offense especially for a Young quarterback they have two tight ends that are probably going to get drafted next year Theo Johnson argue arguably could be a first or second round pick depending on how what he does this year um both him and Ty Warren run about 270 six foot six 270 260. and um and they can run and so they're gonna be a big body Target for them and James Franklin's already said hey basically we consider those guys wide receivers so it's up to the wide receivers to prove that they deserve to be on the field more than the tight end so you might go five wide but you might have two tight ends out there and that that provides a little bit of a wrinkle that maybe defenses aren't prepared for yeah definitely and that's certainly scary um as a West Virginia fan we've never done a great job covering tight ends throughout our history so hopefully it's something that they're planning for I'm sure that they're prepared for some of those heavy sets hopefully that they are anyways but West Virginia is certainly gonna have to improve on that back end like I said Drew Aller with that scary Big Arm all those tight ends it's going to be a matchup to watch there as well but flipping it over on the other side West Virginia you know I think that this is an area that they're looking to see Improvement on they're breaking in a couple of quarterbacks that are going to be more dual threats and uh the one that I believe is probably going to be the starters Garrett green and he's been known more as a run first type guy and the passing elements what he really needs to develop specifically going through all of his reads and not taking off too fast and I know the Penn State Defense doesn't really have hardly any weaknesses but from what I've heard the young secondary may be one of the only question marks on that defense but what can you tell us about the Penn State pass defense is it the weakness of the defense if there is one no uh no um if you if you if you're looking for a weakness I would I would maybe argue defensive tackle um there's some question marks there as far as whether or not their size is large enough to contend against the the michigans of the world um but no uh secondary especially at corner they have You could argue maybe even a better tandem than they had last year and and Joey Porter Jr was the 32nd overall pick and they brought you know Johnny Dixon was was the backup last year he played a lot because Joey Porter Jr actually had appendicitis and so Caitlyn King he's gonna be a first round pick next year and then Johnny Dixon uh is gonna be just fine there he actually had more interceptions than Joey Porter Jr last year so those two guys are great Daquan Hardy plays the nickel he's been around for four or five years so he's got plenty of experience um they do lose TIG Brown at safety who's with the 49ers now and and so yeah yeah I mean that guy it was a heart and soul the team to a certain degree he could they land him a defensive end sometimes like the guy played everywhere um so they will miss his versatility but as far as what they brought in and the the depth they have behind them I think safety might be the most athletic and the most well coached with Terry Smith being there uh position that Penn State has you got Zaki Wheatley who played a bunch last year just didn't start you've got Keith Nellis who's a fourth year guy who's played a lot of football and then Jalen Reed who's also played a lot of football for the last two years so you got three guys that have played a bunch just haven't necessarily started because they rotate so much um that are all really good but we have uh one other guy and KJ Winston who I honestly think would probably be the starter by the end of the year he played a little bit last year as a freshman but he's got all the tools to be the next best safety and so uh no I I think secondary is where you want to stay away if you can I would I would recommend trying to pound the ball as much as you can and then maybe working some play action against some of the the Penn State linebackers but I would not be I would be not taking shots deep against against these corners and safeties interesting that's a great breakdown there I certainly think Penn State will have the advantage there West Virginia breaking in an entirely new wide receivering Corps essentially new quarterbacks so I agree West Virginia you know if there is any recipe for them to try and find a way to pull an upset or to at least stay in Striking Distance in this game it's going to be through the running game which you know brings us to our next topic and I think we've saved the best for last year I think this is going to be the most essential matchup of the game Penn State on paper their defensive line looks great uh West Virginia you know has a defensive line I mean offensive line that returns one of the the best centers I believe in the country and Zach Frazier a couple other great players on there and Wyatt Milam and Doug Nester just worried about the other interior guards but if they hold up then they're going to do really good I think this season it has the potential to be what West Virginia's best offensive line since at least 2016 I'd say and a loaded backfield but they're going to be tested right away I think against this Penn State rushing defense uh what can you tell our Mountaineer fans about it yeah no I agree 100 um I saw crazy statistics the other day that that West Virginia was 5-0 when they rushed for 200 yards and so I think that's that's going to be the the key for West Virginia the whole season right um take the ball out of the quarterback's hands and then just get yourself into the second half and give yourself a chance and and don't don't take yourself out of the game um Yeah you mentioned the receivers I do think it's a little funny Devin Carter who's coming in uh originally committed I don't know if they call it committed for the transfer portal to Penn State and then ended up at West Virginia so that's a little bit interesting there um and then freshman Rodney Gallagher was between West Virginia and Penn State so that will be uh that'll be interesting to see how he can do but as far as the running game is concerned you know Penn State's defensive line especially a defensive end is is stacked they got four guys that are are NFL picks and then you got chop Robinson and deny Dennis Sutton are probably going to be first rounders when it's all said and done Chad Robinson will come out next year uh denied and the sudden still has two years to go and then Deca Isaac is fantastic too um that being said they're they're a little pass rush heavy so like they're gonna be fantastic in situations where you know they can just pin their ears back and get after you and that's obviously the situations West Virginia wants to to avoid um chop Robinson has improved in Rush defense just over the course of the year he had a really great game against Utah which just shows you you know Utah's a great running team but there are opportunities to run the football um you look at what Michigan was able to do um from getting Penn State out of their Gap assignments there's opportunities that run the ball there the defense a Tackle Spot I already mentioned it you do have some experience there Hakeem Beeman has played a lot of football and he actually we've been jokingly calling him a key Hakeem beefman because he he gained about 25 pounds this off season so there was an emphasis on getting bigger but you have to wait and see kind of what those results really are so yeah I think you got to try to run the rock Penn State's linebackers Abdul Carter is probably one of the best players in the country but again he's a splash guy he's an athletic guy he sidelined the sideline he'll chase you down he'll he'll tackle your quarterback but you might be able to run at him a little bit more um and same thing with Curtis Jacobs who's been around for a while the Mike linebacker was a question mark coming in the last year both those guys are back this year so you feel better about that but there were still times where a Tyler Ellison who who's likely the starter um just didn't make the play in the hole and then the opposite side Kobe King uh who will play a lot this year sometimes was out of position but would make the play if he got there so kind of the opposite size of the spectrum with the two Mike linebackers but definitely an opportunity to probably run the ball especially early in the season right I think if you play you know Penn State in October I think maybe that those question marks are gone a defense tackle and linebacker but probably not going to be gone uh By the time uh By the time Penn State heads October right on excellent analysis there Corey appreciate that I agree I think that that's West Virginia's recipe right there if they're looking for one for an upset they need to try and run the football and like you said early on in the season especially that's you know the most time that upsets happen there's within that you know first week when people are still trying to get their feet under them and such and however Penn State certainly appears to have the advantage in a lot of these areas I feel like and my prediction of course will come later on in this episode but I wanted to get your thoughts on a score prediction for this game of course I think the spread at this time there were recordings like 20 and a half uh you know like I said I won't give away my prediction yet but I will say I think West Virginia can cover that at least I think they're going to keep it uh closer than the experts think currently but uh what are your thoughts as far as a prediction for how this game ends up yeah I think the the uh the first games are the hardest games to predict right you don't really know what to expect yet you don't really know but especially in the era of the transfer portal um teams change so much now from the previous year and so there's so many new faces so it is difficult to predict um Penn State play at home definitely helps it being at night definitely helps I'd be kind of curious to see where Garrett green um is able to to operate in in that environment and it really comes down to if West Virginia is able to run the ball I think they do have an opportunity to cover um if there are they aren't able to run the ball I think it could get pretty ugly pretty quickly if Penn State's defense is able to get them in third and Longs and say they have a 14 point lead um and they're able to kind of just pin their ears back and come after them and really make him throw more than they probably want him to um it could get it could snowball and get ugly fast um I I hadn't really thought about a score yet uh I do think the only way it stays close as far as the spread goes is if it is a low scoring game right so if Penn State doesn't want to open up the passing game yet because they just a don't trust Drew Aller yet or they just don't want something crazy to happen if Drew Aller goes out and throws two picks right off the bat you know what does that say about his development but also you keep West Virginia in the game where maybe you don't have to if you just ground and pound it and and take care of business um in the third and fourth quarter so be kind of curious how they decide to play it it's it's funny because if you really want to beat West Virginia you would want to throw the ball but being that it's it's a little bit new or we don't really know what to expect I'll be curious what they decide to do there um I have a feeling they're going to throw the ball a little bit more than than maybe we expect them to and um and I just don't know if I can see West Virginia scoring any more than about 14 points so um I'd probably put my prediction right around the spread um somewhere around probably 38 to 14 or so I think that that's roughly where we're going to come out I just I'd be shocked if West Virginia can get above 20 points uh on the road against this defense but also I don't know what to expect as far as what Penn State's going to do offensively like I said if they I really think they should throw the ball around the yard I just don't know if they're going to do that yet especially in week one obviously I hope that you're wrong there but I certainly think that that's that's a good breakdown and if it does intend to go that way it could get ugly I completely agree if West Virginia is forced to throw the ball more um unproven weapons that Penn State Defense is just scary good and I just honestly to be completely honest I mentioned this we did a season prediction Roundtable episode for last podcast episode and uh when talking about the Penn State game I think that in my opinion you guys should be the favorites to win the Big Ten this year I think Penn State's that good so it certainly could be a game that gets ugly and for West Virginia fans listening and watching this episode hopefully it doesn't but we'll see how it turns out that's why they play the games right I guess you could say but really appreciate you uh giving us a little bit of your time here for our Behind Enemy line segment on season six episode 161 of the crw podcast having said that anything we didn't touch on or any final thoughts you want to drop in here and be sure you know plug your show one more time if you'd like as well Corey no thank you Jordan I really appreciate it the only other final thing I would mention is uh the biggest unknown really for Penn State is special teams it's going to be a new kicker it's going to be a new punter I think that is something where um I don't know if West Virginia will have the opportunity to take advantage of it but that to me is probably the the point of concern I have the most right now is special teams so um something to pay attention to during the beginning part of that game and if Penn State is having to settle for field goals uh that that could make a huge difference because we just don't know who the kicker or the punter is gonna be yeah definitely uh maybe that's an area where West Virginia can try and you know take advantage because you know when you're looking for the upset you got to try and find every little thing that you can do there and I'm sure that you know new Long Snapper too so oh interesting and you know Neil Brown being on the hot seat he's going to want to pull out all the stops I feel like anyway so I think I'm expecting plays and stuff so if they see a weakness there they'll probably try and sit in the house so uh good good point there glad to see you point that out but having said that I guess that will pretty much wrap us up here on this segment appreciate Corey for joining us here and now be sure to check out hardcore Penn State football on social media on all podcast platforms and check out State media there on YouTube as well but appreciate you Corey and I hope you uh have a good one and I hope we get to see a great game on September 2nd absolutely thank you Jordan I'm looking forward to heading down to Morgantown next year for the game it'll be fun too absolutely all right thanks man all right man take care [Applause] all right Mountaineer Nation now that we've heard about things from the Penn State Side there really appreciate Corey and the guys from Hardcore Penn State football for joining us for our first Behind Enemy line segment here on season six of the country roads webcast but now it's time to talk about things from a mountaineer perspective and joining me to help me do so is my crw co-host here we've got Stephen what's going on brother going on everybody Bradley oh well so uh we heard about things from the Penn State side of things now we want to talk about things from a mountaineer perspective so we're just going to go through on some of the match-ups give our thoughts on this uh highly regarded Penn State team number seven in the country to start the season West Virginia bringing back the Rivalry going to be playing against 100 000 plus there in Beaver Stadium and it's surely to be a good one and we'll wrap things up here towards the end with our key to Victory and each give our score prediction for the game but before we get into it guys season opener for the Mountaineers and it's a big one I know you know all of us have never really got a chance to see this rivalry live and in person um you know we were all born in the early 90s so never got a chance to experience this one except in highlights so that's going to make it special all on its own add in the factors that the Mountaineers have motivating them throughout the off season plenty of bulletin board material being picked last in the Big 12 Conference Garrett green being ranked 69th out of 69 power 5 quarterbacks the list goes on and on you name it plenty of disrespect for the malners they should be a motivated team add into the fact the Rivalry returning top 10 Penn State team all kinds of things on the line in this one all kinds of story lines at play to open the 2023 season it should be a fun one but what do you guys here got on the Forefront of your mind just kind of opening thoughts here as we discuss this match up to open the season what do you think it's Stephen uh you know I I'm really excited about this one for one of the things that you mentioned uh you know I know a lot of us were born in the in the early 90s so we didn't really get to experience the this rivalry and it's full you know Glory I guess uh but to hear my grandfather speak about this back in the day it was the you know other than the pit game it was the game to watch and uh you know for a long time West Virginia had you know battle with Penn State and then finally overcame then I think what after 30 years they finally beat him and it was a really really big deal and then if you go back and you watch some of the Major Harris and Reggie Rembrandt days uh and those guys play against Penn State it that gets you really kind of excited to play them and and enjoy this rivalry for what it used to be I guess um I know that uh I know that we really haven't had the most respect of any any team in in the world this past you know the past few months in this off season but I think that uh you know I missed the season prediction Roundtable so I'll go ahead and give a little bit of precursor there I think that this team has a lot of potential but I think that there is a um a lot that they need to prove to me for for me to to believe in them a little bit more um so I like I like our chances in this game a little bit but but I don't really know how high you know how much those chances are yeah I agree I'm right there with you this Penn State Club is just really talented you're looking at one of the best they've had in quite some time potentially coming off an 11-2 season last year in which they had a Rose Bowl win over Utah we're turning a lot of guys brought in some others uh breaking in a new quarterback but he's believed to be a stood there and Drew Aller he was one of the top recruits in the 2022 class top three quarterback five-star recruit six foot five 240. the that's the only question mark for them on offense really is the passing game they're very solid in the running game two really good running backs they returned both had phenomenal true freshman Seasons with over a thousand plus scrimmage yards and they're adding a transfer in from Minnesota in trade pots so the Run game certainly the strength on offense but the defense of Penn State is what impresses me the most on paper as you heard there from Corey on Hardcore Penn State football not really a weak link there on defense hardly so it's a scary matchup on paper I think Brad but what about you when you're looking at this one going into it just kind of opening thoughts how are you feeling about this season opening for the Mountaineers yeah I think it's exciting to get an old rivalry going again um it's definitely going to be fun but I mean I think there is ways that you can view this you can see West Virginia coming out with uh you know coming in to compete there's a lot of unknowns you know nobody really knows what our offense is going to look like there's a lot of potential there and we know that but we don't know what the actual on-field product is going to be yet and it's kind of the same thing with the defense too big question marks but we think we've got the pieces that can kind of make it work so you catch somebody a little off off level on the week one also apartment guys I've got a cat going insane today so she's going to be in and about and around um but yeah I think that the one big thing for me is going to be compete can we compete I don't care really if we come out with this with a win that's insane but when we if we come up the loss like it's it seems to be going that way did we compete you know what I mean did our offensive line compete from start to finish that our defensive line get whipped up rolled out two quarters in you know um did we even have a chance to keep it close kind of so I think that for me is just going to be compete compete compete yeah come out and you know give it a hell of a fight you know try and shock the nation try and prove people wrong you know I think a lot of people have pointed to the 2014 season opener when West Virginia took on Alabama and that team really came out and showed some grit in that game and I hope and I think people are expecting and hoping to see that happen again with this team and I'm hoping the same you know week one is maybe when you can catch a team that's when a lot of upsets do happen Neil Brown has a history of upsets in his coaching history back at Troy he was 20 plus Point under dogs went into Baton Rouge and b-day ranked LSU team so it's not unprecedented for him to pull off something crazy like that but let's get into the nitty-gritty of the match-ups that we're looking at in this one let's talk a little bit about the West Virginia offense going up against this Penn State Defense because that's the vaunted aspect of this Penn State team they're solid across the board um you know you heard Corey talk about it there to me the standouts when I watch them is uh defensive end chop Robinson I think he's really good uh cornerback Kaelyn king among others coordinating that defense for them's Manny Diaz been around college football a long time previous head coaching experience of course but the West Virginia offense is going to have a bit of a new look this season some of the plays may look similar to you but I think you're going to be seeing some different things you're going to be seeing a lot of two back sets West Virginia utilizing that deep backfield and that offensive line that returns 132 starts together so one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country and I think going to be one of the best offensive lines of West Virginia in quite some time probably since at least 2016. Garrett green taking over it quarterback gives you another aspect that the defense has to prepare for as well in that running game so for West Virginia I think much like I mentioned there with Penn State the question mark is if Penn State loads the box and finds a way to stop Western is running game can they beat them with their passing attack as West Virginia's wholesale replacing their wide receiver room as well bringing in some transfers some young guys and bringing back some juicos from last season to try and do that but Stephen what are you thinking as far as West Virginia's offense going up against this Penn State Defense do you like Garrett green and these guys do you think they'll be able to move the ball gain some yards and score some points against a tough Nittany line defense uh for the for a lot of the things that you mentioned I do I do like the way that West Virginia's offense has a chance to look in this game because I think that they're going to be very run heavy more so than they have been in a very long time um you guys know how I love comparisons um but respectively I think that this could be a very similar style offense into what we had with uh with Steve Slayton and Pat White I've said that for a very long time um I think Eric green the way that he can drop back and cut up the middle of an offensive line and see when he can very early on when he should scramble and when he should pass um I I like that ability from him I I love our running back room but for for what you for what else you mentioned and if they load the box and stop our Run game which I very strongly feel like they can do because they have a great defense with as well as I think we can run the ball I just don't think it'll be well enough um I don't think that we're going to be able to pass the ball that well that early in the season against that good of a defense so I don't think that West if they're if they're forced to pass the ball I don't think that they're going to be able to to get enough you know momentum going to be able to overpower that defense and score enough points that's going to be the test that's going to be the test for sure that people are going to watch to see has Garrett green developed in the passing game has he developed in his reads his ability to go through his progressions instead of you know just immediately take off at the first sign of trouble which has kind of been the knock over the past couple of years I think we saw him start to really grow in that late last season and by all accounts through this off season he's really started to come into his own especially throughout fall Camp so hopefully that continues to develop hopefully you see guys like Devin Carter Cole Taylor those guys step up and uh Play Good there at the receiver and positions because you're going to need some guys to catch some passes I think there if you're going to want to find a way to you know score some points and ultimately have a shot to win this game although I do think you know your ultimate recipe for an upset here is to try and possess the ball use that run game if you can but as Steven said that's easier said than done because this Penn State defense is going to be tough Brad but what are you thinking about West Virginia's offense and how they match up against this defense yeah I think that if we want to have a chance to win it it's really going to come down to the offensive line and being able to get the Run game established early I think that if we can get some push forward I think we're going to be able to do that I think that we're going to be able to like chug chug chug Chip Away chip away and from what it sounds like you know Penn State's got some really nice safeties in the back back there and so if we get the Run game going you might kind of force those really good players to step up and feel like they have to kind of like help stop the run um and I think that that's going to give you opportunities on the back end for some of these guys that can kind of just like break one and take one you know um and I feel like that's what you're gonna have to do to win you know is hope that you know use the tight ends a lot for blocking the beginning of the game get towards the end of the game let them slip off for a couple deep ones you know after they've been expecting the same thing from you all game you just get up and behind them things like that um it's gonna take that kind of effort plus some trick plays and some craziness of you know pitch shovel passed you know to Nico out in the flats who's gonna threat to Garrett green on the other side he's gonna then lateral it to Cole Taylor I don't know we're gonna have to get crazy with it pull out all this stuff that's gonna have to happen thank you yeah definitely but like I said I feel like a big part of it the unknowns and especially when you hear the exciting things coming out about the freshman in Fall Camp you're about Rodney Gallagher and you hear about trailing Ray two guys that you know Penn State Penn State knows about Rodney Gallagher obviously you know they they recruited him really hard they know who that kid is um but you get somebody in there like trailing Ray that Penn State's not really considering hasn't thought about you you know they might be catching bits and pieces out here in summer camp but um or fall Camp so those things like that can be really dangerous when nobody knows it's coming it's true that's true that's a great point and I like you know what you mentioned there about the trick plays and not knowing what's coming because something that we've heard uh throughout fall Camp when some of the players have been asked about new offensive coordinator Chad Scott who I know we all love and despite the fact that Neil Brown's calling the police Chad Scott's definitely been heavily involved in the development of this offensive game plan that they're going to use for this upcoming season we know how good his running back room has been and one of the great things that I've loved hearing is some of these players are saying Chad Scott he has a really creative mind some of the plays he's coming up with is really Innovative you're going to be surprised by some of the things you see so I think West Virginia is certainly going to have an aspect of their game to that I think the offense is going to look different to some extent I'm excited to see how we're going to utilize these tight ends and how we're going to use multiple running backs because ball accounts we're using uh two running back sets a lot so that's going to be fun to watch and that is the recipe guys being able to run the football we know that's been you know where West Virginia has found success when they've been able to do it in the Neil Brown area last year West Virginia was 5-0 when they ran for over 200 yards per game and they showed the ability to be able to do it on good run defenses at times as well Pittsburgh last year ended up uh number eight in the country and run defense only giving up 108 yards per game for comparison uh Penn State uh ended up ranked number 17 giving up 111 rush yards per game and West Virginia ran for nearly 200 yards on that pit team I mean that season opener so that bodes well for this season especially when you have an offensive line that's returning all those players with a bit more experience CJ Donaldson in his second year this time fully trained as a running back and then that's when you also still can talk about Justin Johnson Jalen Anderson and another impressive freshman in Jaheim white so I think West Virginia has a chance to move the ball on this Penn State Club but anything else you guys want to talk about here with the West Virginia offense any players we left off or anything you want to add no I I do think that there is a a little bit of a chance that we see Nico marchio in this game I wouldn't be surprised oh I think we'll definitely see Nico I wouldn't respond to see at least a little bit him get a few snaps I think so too uh and you know as Brad said it may be involved in a tricker racing scenario where Garrett stays on the field even with him on there yeah I would put good money on the fact that we'll see them both on the field at the same time yeah because let's not forget Garrett's played lined up at receiver in the past yeah yeah he has you know we also have a third quarterback out there as well you know what I mean yeah you got Ronnie geiliger out there who played quarterback yes he did yes he did for the last two seasons right that's true that's true two whole seasons of experience right there don't yeah that's I didn't even think about that I like that Brad I like the way you're thinking there hopefully they're thinking uh similarly because um we've already heard him come out and say you know Rodney Gallagher is going to play trailing Ray's gonna play so um he's gonna be on the field like sweet do a little Sweep with Rodney Gallagher behind pitch it to him let him throw it to a Garrett green streaking downfield you know yeah yeah that'd be nice that'd be nice well I know something fun we always uh we always usually do every year for this uh first game we may as well do while we're talking about the offense here um first play West Virginia runs of the year what are you guys thinking and who scores the first touchdown of the year for the Mountaineers uh Brad once you take this one first man I think it's going to be inside Zone CJ Donaldson and then I think first touchdown of the year is going to be I think it's gonna be Garrett green I think it's gonna be like a 10 yard Scamper okay I like that I like that uh Steven what are you thinking we got he stole mine so for the sake of being different I was gonna go inside Zone CJ but for the sake of being different I'll go outside Zone CJ somebody said that last year every single time that's almost what it was it was it you Stephen it probably it might have been but like at that time outside Zone that's what it was every single time they opened the game with that every I'm pretty sure every single game last year uh but yeah I also agree with him uh I think it's going to be I don't know if it's gonna be a 10 yard Scamper I think it'll be uh it's like a little a little bit shorter than that but I think it'd be a QB Scramble for from GG and here I thought I was going to be sneaky picking a Garrett green touchdown but now I'm gonna have to I'm gonna have to change it up on y'all and say it's a Garrett green passing touchdown I'll get that out of the way first who does he throw it to that's the question I'm gonna say he throws it to Cortez Graham first touchdown of the year uh Gary green hooks up with Bram and the first play of the year um in my opinion I'm gonna say Manuel took the good ones uh took the probable ones here I got I got one y'all ready people will love this people's gonna love this okay green bath s to Devin Carter a little bubble screen a little a little screen game you got a whisper you got a whisper screen game because uh fans will get pissed even they hate it yeah if it's a bubble screen I'm throwing my remote I was about to say everyone's gonna be mad if that is it but that's why I'll do it just for the just for this we'll be hearing the film wide receivers are blocking better you know so hey you never know so I'll go you're gonna throw it it's gonna it will be thrown now chances are it's something to CJ so you guys probably took it I should have said a pass to CJ okay screen pass to CJ let's do it that let's do it that way that's my final answer there mark it down bookmarking spring passes there you go halfback that's it so there we go uh some thoughts on the Mountaineer offense going up against the Penn State Defense but got to flip it around and talk about it the other way now the Penn State offense going up against this West Virginia Defense you heard a little bit about the Penn State offense there from the hardcore Penn State football host Corey did a great job breaking that down Drew Aller I talked a little bit about him earlier I think he's a future Superstar but hopefully West Virginia is catching him at a good time early in his career and first game of the season I know it's at home but still it's under the lights in prime time and maybe that causes nerves to uh creep up a little bit you gotta hope if you're a mountaineer fan there for him because like I said that's the question mark for Penn State as well as the passing game just like West Virginia is pretty much wholesale replacing their wide receiver and core so is Penn State uh they brought in Dante cephas a transfer West Virginia was recruiting uh going to be a bit of a Kent State reunion in this game Dante cephas for Penn State West Virginia has to Sean Polk and montre Miller but then Lambert Smith is going to be the main guy at wide receiver for Penn State to watch Penn State that was going to incorporate a ton of tight ends we're going to see an offense that's a lot of heavy Personnel almost you know an old school type attack that you still see sometimes in the Big Ten you're going to see some eye formation going to see a lot of run heavy attack from the Nittany lines I suspect in this game especially with Drew Aller being as young as he is they've got two great backs I mentioned a little bit earlier catron Allen and Nick Singleton Singleton more of the speed guy Alan Moore the power guy and they've also added pots from Minnesota so so this Penn State offense is going to attack you in multiple ways I think they'll look to try and establish the run and then maybe get Aller involved in some play action pass game trying to hitting those tight ends Lambert Smith downfield West Virginia we know they're going to have to improve defensively if they're going to want to find success this season that's kind of the area everyone is watching specifically passing defense so who knows how much that will be tested as I said it's a run heavy Penn State attack but it will be tested at times and we gotta hope West Virginia's improved that secondary but the matchup I'm watching is West Virginia if they're able to stop the run we know West Virginia's replacing some defensive linemen they brought in some guys they're returning some guys with experience led by bluefield's very own Mercer County native Sean Martin but Stephen what are you thinking here about this Mountaineer defense trying to stop this uh Penn State offense who's done a good job scoring in recent years uh well I'm a lot like you I think that West Virginia needs to do a good job of stopping the Run game um and I don't know if they're going to be able to do that um I I really love Lee Koba I love you know Sean Martin and I love a lot of the guys along our our defensive line but I think that that I think it's going to be a little bit of a flip this year in terms of the way that our defense works I think overall we're going to be a better defense but I think that we're going to be better at pass protection than we are at run run defense just in my opinion with the way that everything worked with what I've been hearing from you know all the press conferences and everything our run defense just doesn't seem to stand out as much as it has in uh in recent years but I do like what I'm hearing from the guys on the back end I think everything I've heard from Lance Dixon has been good um I've heard beanie Bishop being being mentioned a lot you know a lot of these guys Aubry Burks if he can if he can get back to being healthy I think he's going to be a playmaker so I think West Virginia is going to do a pretty good job of stopping the pass I will say that but I just don't think that they're going to be able to stop the run I think that those two guys you mentioned uh Singleton and now and I think that those two guys are uh one two experienced and uh too talented to be stopped and especially I like I said I think that West Virginia will do a good job of stopping the pass with the mixture of this new quarterback in play and then you know you have as much talent as we have on the back end it's just going to be flopped from what we have in the in years past and uh I hope I'm wrong I hope I'm wrong on that but I just don't see a stop in the Run game yeah hopefully because that's that's worrisome in this matchup because that's what you're gonna need to do if you want to have a chance because I think Penn State's going to try and wear you down without throughout the game and West Virginia is going to have to try and withstand we've heard defensive line coach AJ Jackson say he thinks he can go you know 10 Deep almost to the point where he said he feels like he has hockey lineups he can run in and out there so hopefully West Virginia does and they're able to stop the run because that's going to be a big key to this game as they try and stop this Mike You're such coordinated offense who we know from his time at Oklahoma State in Texas and he's always Fields a good offense Phil's a good team there and he's trying to do it again here with this Penn State Club Brad but what do you think here do you think West Virginia can get enough stops against Penn State here to have a chance to stick in this game and maybe even you know keep Penn State below 30 points which I think would be a good Target threshold for them in this game yeah I think that they're going to come out fresh I think they're going to come out hungry I think they're going to come out motivated and so I think that we're definitely going to give them fits early I think that our defense is going to kind of be a little more cohesive and you know uh showing flashes of what they can do but I think as the game goes on I think that we're just going to get a little bit more worn out um I actually think that we have the potential to get a couple turnovers early I think that we're just going to kind of catch them off guard with how big and physical we can play um and how fast you can be so I think that we can put a little bit of pressure on early I think that we can get a couple turnovers early maybe that give us a chance but I think definitely as the game goes on and those tight ends have been leaned and on your line for a while you know those big offensive line have been leaning on you for a bit I think that that's where we're really going to start to see a little bit more separation in the later game where we just can't keep up yeah that's what I worry about that's what I worry about when you face this kind of attack and especially you know you're not really used to seeing it there's not too many teams in the Big 12 that played that way although it's kind of gone that way a little bit in recent Seasons you've seen some you know Iowa States incorporate a lot of tight ends balers you know had that rvo offense so you've seen it in some aspects but they've had all off-season preparers so that's the good thing when you're looking at it through that at class but um I'm worried about the Penn State running game in the long run as well I'm hurting West Virginia but I'm hoping that the Mountaineers in the back end as Steven said there can hold up in my gallery Burke so you mentioned I hope he can make a play I think West Virginia is going to need to force some turnovers probably if they want to try and find a way to you know win this game and try and pull what would be an amazing upset for the Mountaineers in this one but on offense I know we talked about our you know first play of the game and first shuts down prediction here on defense uh why don't we say this who are we going to be talking about on Sunday if West Virginia either emerges Victorious or really puts up a great show and against Penn State who on this defense do you think would have had a great performance in order for that to happen who do you thinking there Brad uh uh League Pogba right right probably probably who's got to be um if our line backers are able to step in and really stop the run or even more so maybe something like a Trey Lathan or if a will linebacker actually you know maybe they aren't the best player on the field but they cemented themselves in that spot would be huge um that'd be almost just as important as you know anything else so uh definitely if we were to come out and win this and keep their score in town I'm going to be looking at the linebackers and wondering you know good call Stephen what about you what are you thinking How likely but uh I think I'm gonna say Lance Dixon I think he's got a lot of potential in that back end and I think if we're gonna we've really got to con you know control things on that back end and if we do we're going to be talking about him after Saturday I like that pick because that you know let's not forget he transferred from Penn State a couple years ago and that's you know we talked about motivating factors for West Virginia in this game the bulletin board material but there's some involved with just a matchup as well you know despite the fact it being a rivalry game but there's guys that you know are at West Virginia that came from Penn State Lance Dixon for torma mobile and then you know Devin Carter was committed to Penn State chose to go to West Virginia uh Penn State recruited Wyatt Milam they recruited Doug Nestor they recruited Rodney Gallagher and some players that'll be playing for the Mountaineers are from Pennsylvania you know Rodney Gallagher jaheem white just to name a couple off the top of my head so there's certainly motivating factors so I like that Lance Dixon pick he'll he's one of those that has that motivating factor being a former Nittany line but for me I think I'm going to go on the d-line I think you're really going to need to have a big performance from your guys there in the middle so I think we're going to need to be talking about a guy like a Mike lockharter and Eddie V I think one of those guys is going to really need to stand out in this game for West Virginia to have the performance they need to have to be able to win this game I think you're going to want to force Penn State to be one-dimensional much like they're probably going to try and make West Virginia one-dimensional and make them pass the ball you're going to want to do the same although Drew Aller is a guy that's a highly regarded Prospect and has a bright future like I said he's still going to be working out the Kinks early here so West Virginia you know forced them to pass and be ready to make some plays on those balls and see what happens but in order for you to do that you're gonna have to stuff that middle on the run so for me it's Eddie V and Mike Lockhart probably I think they're on the defensive side but there's a thoughts on that side as well from us here on the Mountaineer side but any other thoughts there on the defense versus the Penn State offense gentlemen I think that's all I got I will there's a there there is a lot of players I'm looking through this Penn State roster right now there's a lot of players that I've noticed that we West Virginia either recruited or West Virginia they were committed to West Virginia and switched over a lot of play first this Christian Velo he was he's a quarterback and through Aller goes down he's who we see a quarterback and he was being recruited really heavily I remember that's recruiting him yeah he was a lead 11 guy too wow it's crazy yeah a lot of songs similarities here for sure absolutely great way of putting it because uh it's interesting you know there's like I said a ton of great story lines aside from just the Rivalry returning season opener going on the road against the top 10 opponent which you know I just realized this recently guys this would be if West Virginia was able to win this game the highest ranked regular season Road win in school history the other two that they've won were both ranked number nine so Penn State ranked number seven so so Oklahoma on the road was number nine uh they were number nine yep wow yeah so that would be uh that would be huge talk about a talk about a Monumental program changing win and course career course changing win for Neil Brown really for sure oh absolutely yeah oh if we I'll say that if we win this game the ceiling for this season gets a lot higher for myself things will change the tune will change oh yeah that's immediately like everybody's like oh now we've got to go undefeated or it's fired because you know you won one game well I I don't think they go undefeated even if they win that game but now well the national media will will be the new darling and stuff but you know that's one thing though you know you go back and look this time last season what people were saying about TCU even even like on our prediction show I think I predicted TCU to go five and seven or something like that last year so you never know somebody can come out of nowhere why not us that's what I always like to think but right now is the perfect time because if we're going to be optimistic we may as well be optimistic right now game week leading up to week uh to game one of the season because later on the season we might not have the opportunity to be yeah well like I told you earlier cruising to Texas uh you know I got to go with my gut feeling until Neil Brown gives me something to believe in I'd love everything that I've heard about this offense I'm loving more and more what I'm hearing about this defense of the off-season no matter what I'm hearing from outside sources and the rankings that people come up with and all that that's that's one thing but we've seen what you know Garrett green can do we've seen what CJ Donaldson can do we've seen with this offensive line can do we've seen what a lot of this team can do and we know what we should be excited for whether other people can see that and other coaches in the country can see that I don't know but the reason I'm I'm predicting I'll let everybody else know that because I wasn't for the season prediction show I was I I've got them going six and six so that's my gut feeling my ceiling is about nine and three with the potential that I think this team has the floor is five wins I think yeah that's that's not bad that's not a bad prediction at all I'm you know right along the same lines with you and you know going into the season prediction Roundtable show I figured I would pick around six wins but just the way the schedule worked out I felt a little bit more confident about it and I guess you know the more I've heard through fall Camp I've gotten more confident in this team I think that offensively I think they really bring something to the table I think they're going to be able to move the ball and score on just about anybody and we're going to get a good barometer of that here in this first game because this is going to be the best defense they'll face all season in my opinion right off the bat and maybe the best team they'll face all season so if they're able to you know move the ball and score points against them I feel really good about the offense to me it just all that relies on how much can this defense improve from last season uh specifically in the secondary because they can't be worse they there's no way they're not going to be at least the same or better but we need them to be significantly better I think to not only get to six wins but you know beyond that but at least to get you know to six wins to get back to a bowl game to me it just depends on this defense improving this season I'm pretty confident in this Mountaineer offense overall well let me ask you this uh with with Neil Brown being on the hot seat as much as he is this season um if we go six and six but our offense is significantly better does it keep his job or does it lose his job Brad I'll let you take that one first I I want to say he loses his job this is what I want to say right this is last year's contract anyway I think because you got two more years anyway no contract deals uh 2025 I think two more you still got two more yeah yeah so I feel like we probably don't fire him we're just too broke right now it's a fire yeah payout's too high and with the the student this you know the Student Union being the state that it is I don't know if you guys seen that but there's a big people picketing firing Gordon gee on them there's a whole thing about it yeah it's a it's an issue right now but I I don't think that we wouldn't Baker's loving life ow my man all the time my man took a job that he had no idea he was getting himself into talk about a whirlwind but no I don't think that they would fire him honestly because looking at it the way I'm looking at if we were to go six and six that probably means that we struggle through September and then the back end of the schedule we pick up a lot of wins and probably do decently in conference and I think you know if we're in baker's watching that he's seeing the team improve from beginning of the year to end to reach that six wins and if the offense is putting up great numbers and the defense looks better than it did the season before he's like okay we're on a good trajectory so I think he would keep Neil Brown around and I honestly may not be upset about it depending on how good that offense looks and who the six wins are against I guess because you gotta remember we're having a lot of return next year too anyway we're still not very stacked on seniors yeah we have I think we have six seniors on this team if I'm not mistaken when I looked and I don't know if all six of those are fifth year seniors or not but um I know it was five or six when I looked so very young team yeah correct me if I'm wrong doesn't Gigi get another year next year yeah Gigi's back um the only there's a couple caveats to that though like Zach Frazier I don't think will be back even though he can be no yeah so you know but overall on paper only like six seniors so if Garrett can have a season which you know there's a lot to that he's you know he's on film now people can game plan you know we'll we'll see if we see the same Garrett green that we've seen in the past which I feel confident that we we probably will but if he can have you know that type of season you know who knows we may be able to get some people in the in the transfer portal or you know whatever may happen we can switch some guys around Zack Frazier could have another year am I crazy yeah yeah Zach Frazier's a junior yeah he's a junior this year oh I was wow I wouldn't be surprised if he came back yeah I don't know he's projected I think he's projected like right now second rounder like initially even before the season or something like that top three rounds I think I saw something like that so speaking of I've seen something that I never even realized yesterday Dan Moses was like the best college Center in the country two years in a row I never realized he never got drafted you know that he's the only uh major award winner ever at WVU football to win you know one of the major in in the season awards you know because Steadman should have won the bulletnikov got robbed so he's literally the only one we've ever had was when he won the the Remington award and he never got drafted blows my mind well I think a lot of it was West Virginia's scheme that they were using with Rich Rod it was that zone run scheme and so they wanted offensive linemen that weren't like big they wanted more agile so their offensive lineman were like 272 82 90. so I think it didn't project well for NFL that's wild to me it is it is but uh you know racked up a lot of wins with the Dan with Dan Moses at Center that Rich Rod Squad did and that's something that Neil Brown's looking to do he's done everything here but when so we're hoping to see him finally turn that corner this season and uh for him to get a win over Penn State he's going to need to hit on us some major Keys guys and so that's for us means it's time to talk about our key to victory that we think could allow for Neil Brown to go on the road here and open the season with a major upset win like we said could be the highest ranked regular season Road win in program history for the Mountaineers if they could go on the road and beat the number seven ranked Nittany lines in game one here of the 2023 season so we're each going to go through and uh provide our key to victory that we think uh would have to happen for West Virginia to be able to do that but before we do just wanted to say really really appreciate you guys tuning in here to season six episode 161 our Penn State preview and predictions episode here whether in on our YouTube channel or on the WV Sports now channel be sure hit the thumbs up button on the video give it a like it'll really help not only its performance but future videos performances on the channel and if you're a West Virginia fan be sure and subscribe for some great Mountaineer content throughout the season and if you're listening on the audio side we appreciate you tuning in there as well whether you're on iHeartRadio Amazon music Spotify Google podcast Apple podcast you can find us anywhere at your search Country Roads webcast but if you're listening there be sure share us around with other Mountaineer fans you may know haven't said that now Gentlemen let's get into it it's key to Victory time and then we'll follow it up with our score predictions here on our first game preview show of season six of the country roads webcast but having said that Stephen won't you lead off this time uh what's your key to Victory here in this season opener for the Mountaineers uh two words Run game both being successful at it and stopping it I think if you can do do those two things I think that's a very good recipe for success and this game and if you can do that then you you're going to be walking out of Death Valley then with a with a win that failure Happy Valley I was getting confused Death Valley right I think it's Happy Valley it's like we're happy I think they're Happy Valley yeah I always get them confused there's so many of each of those something Valley something the valley is that the hidden hidden one the Hidden Valley yeah well they they do wear all white so it's like they look like ranch dressing that's right out yeah that is true so I haven't said that Brad uh what about you uh key to Victory to go down there and uh get a win in the hidden happy Death Valley yeah I was definitely gonna say uh if you can't run you can't win so uh I'm not gonna take that now and I'm gonna say takeaways I think turnovers I think they're going to be important if we want to have a chance to win I think that we've got to manufacture possessions absolutely I'm pretty much right there with you guys I got my key to victories down is when in the trenches because I think uh both West Virginia's defensive line and West Virginia's offensive line are going to have to show up for West Virginia to stay within you know a puncher's chance of this game and you know that's the up recipe for an upset is keep it close throughout and have a chance there in the fourth quarter and that's what West Virginia needs to do in this game control the pace of the game make Penn State play at third Pace however they want to run this game whatever Tempo and you know let your offensive line hopefully you know showcase that experience and dominate on that side possess the ball use your run game and then on defense hopefully you're able to clog the run and stop their talented backs enough to force them to pass the football more than they want to and put them into some long down and distant situations on third down and I think that'll help you so to me I'm right there with you guys winning the trenches West Virginia's Run game has to show up the run defense has to show up but having said that guys I guess it's time for our score predictions for the first time this season like we said this is a big one the Rivalry returns against Penn State West Virginia struggled to beat them I don't think they've won at Penn State since the 1950s we know Penn State's dominated the series overall this is the best team James Franklin may have had there so a lot of chips are stacked against the Mountaineers but that also means that they have got nothing to lose and we talked about them pulling out all the stops and hopefully they do that but having said that Brad will let you go first this time do they pull out all the stops is it enough can the Mountaineers shock the world and pull off the Monumental upset in game one of the 2023 season and wouldn't it be Monumental for West Virginia University to start out the new modern era with a win against Penn State but no I don't think we beat them I think that we keep it closer than what people are saying um I guess I think that we actually get out ahead early like I said I think that we're gonna get a couple takeaways early I say that West Virginia jumps out 14 nothing at the end of the first quarter but I think by halftime we're down by three 1714 and then I don't think we scored for the rest of the game I think that we still haven't just seen Neil Brown be able to make adjustments in the second half and so I think that in the second half Penn State pulls away more and I think the end score is 27-14 closer than the experts predict I hope that um the Mountaineers you know flip that and come out on the winning side but I certainly like the fact that you got them performing well in this game putting up a fight and I think if they're able to do that like I said earlier it's going to be a good barometer and could bode well for the remainder of the Season indeed Stephen what about you you got a more optimistic outcome or are you feeling uh similar to Brad you know as uh as more optimistic as you guys were about the season I guess I'm a little bit more optimistic about this game uh specifically I think it's going to be a little bit closer than that I think that West Virginia is going to play with that chip on their shoulder as they did last year um I think that they're going to play a lot closer than what these people what the experts are gonna what they're saying that we're gonna do I think it's going to be 24-21 I think Penn State's going to get us but but I think that it's it's going to be a pretty close ball game and I think the West Virginia hopefully to me at least um they're going to go up there and even in that loss they're going to prove you know a lot about what they can be this season you know with as close of a game as they're going to make it in such a tough environment unfortunately I'm going to make it three for three guys I don't have West Virginia winning this game but I will say one thing we all three do have in common is at the time of this recording I believe the spread's 20 and a half we certainly all have West Virginia covering that spread I think that it's going to be a game where West Virginia hangs with them for a good portion of it but we talked about it a little bit earlier I'm afraid that late in the game maybe they wear West Virginia down their run game gets going they're able to put together some long drives and that ultimately allows them to pull away enough to secure a victory but I have it pretty close as well I've got it essentially a one square war game I think you know for West Virginia I mentioned earlier keeping Penn State under 30 would be great and if they could do that that would give them a puncher's chance I think they'll do that I've got Penn State score in 28 but I worry about West Virginia being able to score against a really good Penn State Defense if they're forced West Virginia to be one dimensional and past the football which they're probably going to try and do hopefully West Virginia Chad Scott Neil Brown has some traded things in the game plan like we mentioned to really offset that and still maybe find a way to manufacture some explosive plays and they'll score more than I think they will but I've still got them Crossing 20 and then staying right there I've got it 28 to 20. uh Penn State coming out with an eight-point victory in uh my prediction here but uh yeah unfortunately uh three losses predicted here in game one of the 2023 season but you know like we said at least we're a little bit more optimistic than most of the national media has been and I think West Virginia as Steven mentioned there is going to come out with a chip on their shoulder we talked about the bulletin board material that's been stacked up throughout the off-season the motivating factors of these West Virginia players and let's not forget Neil Brown is a coach on the hot seat with his back against the wall as well so hopefully we're going to see a fire from him and from his team that we haven't seen before and if we come out and see a team that's playing with a mountaineer mentality a physical hard nose Edge you know that hard Edge that we've been missing I think throughout the Neil Brown tenure thus far and it looks like a you know more of what we expected to see from Neil Brown I'll be happy with that if they come out and fight the way we've got them uh fighting in this game but having said that gentleman any final thoughts in this game anything we didn't touch on that uh you want to mention here before we get ready to wrap up on uh season six episode 161 here I will say one thing that I I didn't mention this time that I feel like I haven't mentioned it's the first time that I haven't mentioned it in a while on a podcast it was playing clean we had such crappy penalties last year we had a lot of false starts a lot of Holdings a lot of bad calls like that and so I I'd be remiss if I didn't bring it up again you know is that something that our coaches have got to clean up um and that's all comes down to coaching making sure that the guys are ready for the moment and you know not jumping off sides when we're you're inside the five yard line and making just outrageous mistakes like that this year that can't happen um if I see that I'm gonna be really upset yeah great point we got to see improvements in coaching game management you know let's not get false starts in critical scenarios like we've seen over the past few years uh Stupid personal foul penalties things like that eliminate those mental mistakes great point I certainly got to bring that up as well uh Stephen anything else you want to add here no those are those are really great points I think that um I will say this I don't think that we're you know obviously we're planning to win the football game but I think uh in this type of a game in this type of environment with you know it's all over the places the predictions are you know what could be the outcome of this team season have been this this off season I think that uh you're more you're playing for morals right now you're playing for how good you're going to be moving forward and and you know what you can take away from that so you know as as I said we're not not playing to win I guess but um but even if we lose I think there's a lot of takeaways that we can take away from this game and playing like we've got nothing to lose yeah there yeah great Point great point couldn't agree more gentlemen uh really enjoyed this one here our first game preview show the 2023 season gonna be plenty more coming along the way you're gonna have our recap shows out on the channel there live streamed on YouTube so if you're listening this on the audio side be sure hop over to the Country Roads webcast YouTube channel subscribe to us there as well um we'll have live streams weekly throughout the season to go along with these long-form podcast episodes follow us on social media Country Roads webcast on Facebook and Instagram and then on Twitter slash X I guess it is now at WVU Country Roads there is where you can find us be sure to drop your score prediction there in the comments below if you're watching on YouTube or if you're on the audio side you can drop them in the rate review section let us know how you're thinking the Mountaineers Affair in the season opener game love to hear your thoughts on this matchup as well so be sure to share those with us we appreciate those interactions as we continue to try and grow the Country Roads webcast Community throughout Mountaineer Nation having said that let's get ready it's time for the 2020 three West Virginia football season and for Stephen and Bradley as always I'm Jordan Cruz and until next time let's go Mountaineers if you really want to know then come on let's go take [Music] I know [Music]